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Should the Church Teach Tithing? A Theologian's Conclusions about a Taboo Doctrine
Following a thorough examination of every biblical text on tithing, Dr. Kelly concludes that the church would be best served spiritually by believing and applying better New Testament principles of giving. After discussing sound biblical reasons for Christians to replace tithing, he presents God's better principles of grace. Doctrines such as the New Testament concept of law and covenant and the priesthood of believers are presented as they affect tithing. Following several chapters which discuss disputed texts relating to pastoral support, this book traces the early development of church support as found in the Church Fathers before Nicea.This book leaves no question or objection about tithing unanswered. It is a "must read" for any serious Bible student. There is a wealth of other doctrinal insights to be gained as one goes through the Bible in search of the truth about tithing.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 11, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 14, 2012
Absolutely THE best book ever written on the subject of tithing! Indeed one of the most thorough and revealing of any I have ever read and, believe me, I read a ton of books on this subject when I began my research on the subject years ago. Russ' book is incredible as far as detail goes. Sometimes the read can be slightly "dry" (for lack of a better way to put it) but it reads like a text book on the subject and it always tops my list when it comes to books on this subject!
I really cannot imagine how anyone can still believe that monetary tithing has anything to do with Christianity or that it was ever taught anywhere in Scripture (let alone for followers of Jesus) after reading this book. Literally every Scripture on the subject of tithing is examined in detail!
In the book readers will discover the surprising origins of tithing, they will see how texts have been manipulated, and find some incredible insights on the character of Melchizedek. There is also some very strong encouragement on the matter of giving as Jesus and His apostles taught. This book reflect pure biblical scholarship and is a most impressive piece of work!
Some readers will be amazed to discover that:
1.) Scripture actually does NOT teach monetary tithing at all (certainly not the way it has been presented today)...
2.) The Bible NOWHERE teaches that the tithe is money!
3.) Jesus never instructed His followers to tithe!
4.) Not even one of the apostles of Jesus in any book of the New Testament ever taught believers to tithe, and...
5.) The New Testament actually teaches the DEATH of tithing! It died when Jesus gave His life on the cross and Russ so clearly and beautifully lays this out, Scripture by Scripture, so that there can be no question at all!
If you have sincere questions about tithing, don't settle for some short little book on the subject that is full of opinionated and emotional testimonies or one authored by a preacher who intends to simply guilt readers into tithing their money to a church... Give Russ' book an honest look! I maintain that this is THE textbook on the subject, next to the Bible of course. ;)
For those who may be concerned; NO, this book is not about looking for excuses to avoid charitable giving. On the contrary, Russ highlights our prime example in Jesus, who gave His very life for our sake. Giving should be motivated by free will and love - Just as Christ freely laid down His life for us out of such amazing love. Whomever thought that an old expired legalism of Moses that has been wrongly modified to manipulate Christians to pay for church buildings and pastor salaries, could be better than following Christ as our example for how we consider the needs of others (whether they be ministers or impoverished neighbors, friends or family) was indeed a misguided soul.
This book will present the truth of Scripture that will set people free and encourage them to pursue a closer relationship with the Lord and let His grace and love motivate their giving.
I really cannot imagine how anyone can still believe that monetary tithing has anything to do with Christianity or that it was ever taught anywhere in Scripture (let alone for followers of Jesus) after reading this book. Literally every Scripture on the subject of tithing is examined in detail!
In the book readers will discover the surprising origins of tithing, they will see how texts have been manipulated, and find some incredible insights on the character of Melchizedek. There is also some very strong encouragement on the matter of giving as Jesus and His apostles taught. This book reflect pure biblical scholarship and is a most impressive piece of work!
Some readers will be amazed to discover that:
1.) Scripture actually does NOT teach monetary tithing at all (certainly not the way it has been presented today)...
2.) The Bible NOWHERE teaches that the tithe is money!
3.) Jesus never instructed His followers to tithe!
4.) Not even one of the apostles of Jesus in any book of the New Testament ever taught believers to tithe, and...
5.) The New Testament actually teaches the DEATH of tithing! It died when Jesus gave His life on the cross and Russ so clearly and beautifully lays this out, Scripture by Scripture, so that there can be no question at all!
If you have sincere questions about tithing, don't settle for some short little book on the subject that is full of opinionated and emotional testimonies or one authored by a preacher who intends to simply guilt readers into tithing their money to a church... Give Russ' book an honest look! I maintain that this is THE textbook on the subject, next to the Bible of course. ;)
For those who may be concerned; NO, this book is not about looking for excuses to avoid charitable giving. On the contrary, Russ highlights our prime example in Jesus, who gave His very life for our sake. Giving should be motivated by free will and love - Just as Christ freely laid down His life for us out of such amazing love. Whomever thought that an old expired legalism of Moses that has been wrongly modified to manipulate Christians to pay for church buildings and pastor salaries, could be better than following Christ as our example for how we consider the needs of others (whether they be ministers or impoverished neighbors, friends or family) was indeed a misguided soul.
This book will present the truth of Scripture that will set people free and encourage them to pursue a closer relationship with the Lord and let His grace and love motivate their giving.
May 5, 2020
Very poor "scholarship." Kelly’s entire book arguing against tithing is based on his claim that, contra scripture, Melchizedek was not a priest of the Most High God. Instead, he claims that Melchizedek “worshipped the Canaanite gods, El and Baal” and also the “goddess of the dawn” and “Jupiter, god of justice.” (pp. 158, 327) Kelly goes even further and makes the shocking claim that “Melchizedek worshiped idols of Baal, offered child sacrifices, and promoted incest and sex with animals as part of pagan worship ritual.” (p. 29). What is very troubling is that the best evidence offered for these claims is Kelly’s own opinion that because the words Most High God are not prefaced with the word ‘Yahweh’ this, in Kelly’s opinion, is the best evidence that “Melchizedek did not know God as Yahweh” (pp.21-22)
However there is a serious problem with Kelly’s claim because Kelly himself admits that Bible is the inspired “true preserved word of God” and that Moses was the author not only of Genesis but of the entire Pentateuch “except the last verses of Deuteronomy”. The problem is that it was Moses himself who in Genesis 14:18 described Melchizedek as the priest of the Most High and we have textual evidence from Deuteronomy 32 that when Moses used this phrase he was in fact referring to Yahweh (compare Deut 32:8 with 32:3,6,9,12). At this point an observant reader will see that Kelly is completely contradicting Moses so in an attempt to downplay this damning contradiction Kelly claims on page 22 that “while he is the true Most High, God did not prefer to be identified by El Elyon in the Pentateuch!” How does Kelly know what God what prefers? He does not explain. How does Kelly’s supposed knowledge of God’s preferences negate Moses’ own inspired words? Interestingly, Kelly is silent.
Many people disagree about the topic of tithing however it is an entirely different matter to publish a book claiming that a priest of the Most High God engaged in incest, bestiality, and child sacrifice. Kelly claims page 99 that others are “absolutely dishonest to ignore context” of verses but when he does the exact same thing readers are supposed to just accept it? Kelly claims page 50 it is “unprofessional to attack those who disagree” but how professional is it to claim that Melchizedek was a child-sacrificing pagan pervert without any evidence?
There are several other errors in this book which I explain in detail in my youtube video “Refuted: Should the Church Teach Tithing?”
However there is a serious problem with Kelly’s claim because Kelly himself admits that Bible is the inspired “true preserved word of God” and that Moses was the author not only of Genesis but of the entire Pentateuch “except the last verses of Deuteronomy”. The problem is that it was Moses himself who in Genesis 14:18 described Melchizedek as the priest of the Most High and we have textual evidence from Deuteronomy 32 that when Moses used this phrase he was in fact referring to Yahweh (compare Deut 32:8 with 32:3,6,9,12). At this point an observant reader will see that Kelly is completely contradicting Moses so in an attempt to downplay this damning contradiction Kelly claims on page 22 that “while he is the true Most High, God did not prefer to be identified by El Elyon in the Pentateuch!” How does Kelly know what God what prefers? He does not explain. How does Kelly’s supposed knowledge of God’s preferences negate Moses’ own inspired words? Interestingly, Kelly is silent.
Many people disagree about the topic of tithing however it is an entirely different matter to publish a book claiming that a priest of the Most High God engaged in incest, bestiality, and child sacrifice. Kelly claims page 99 that others are “absolutely dishonest to ignore context” of verses but when he does the exact same thing readers are supposed to just accept it? Kelly claims page 50 it is “unprofessional to attack those who disagree” but how professional is it to claim that Melchizedek was a child-sacrificing pagan pervert without any evidence?
There are several other errors in this book which I explain in detail in my youtube video “Refuted: Should the Church Teach Tithing?”
February 15, 2014
This book is most thorough on the subject of tithing. It is a must read if you do or do not believe that NT Christians are suppose to tithe. It was a real eye opener. Read this book with an open heart and allow the context of the scripture speak for itself. I found my self researching the claims this book makes and found them to be true. A must read for all believers
February 26, 2014
This topic came to me 4 years ago and I rebuked the individual. I finally humbled myself and read this book. I am soooo embarrassed that I didn't listen before with an open mind. Advice, he who has an ear listen.
October 13, 2009
Good stuff. Study to show thyself approved.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews