Customer Reviews

Should the Church Teach Tithing? A Theologian's Conclusions about a Taboo Doctrine

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Should the Church teach tithing? This is a question that, it seems, more and more Christians are desiring an answer to today. Certainly there are many different opinions that exist on the subject. But what does God's Word clearly teach on the matter? After reading more than 40 books, commentaries, lexicons, Bible dictionaries and various study aids and position articles on this subject (from all different perspectives), I came across Dr. Kelly's book. To be honest I wasn't expecting to be surprised much after all of my previous research on the subject, but Dr. Kelly's book was a mind-blower!

Should The Church Teach Tithing, by theologian Russel Earl Kelly, Ph. D. (343 pages), is one of the most thorough and intriguing investigations of the biblical tithe I have read to date. This book answers questions and challenges against many traditional arguments and misconceptions that have been made concerning the subject of tithing and also traces the early development of church support as found in the Church Fathers before Nicea. The writing is completely void of negative critical commentary, yet presents the biblical truth in a fascinating, precise and clear cut manner. Kelly also offers his insight and perspective concerning the mysterious biblical character known as Melchizedek and offers some surprising conclusions.

Russel Earl Kelly's work is accompanied by scores of quality references and a multitude of Scriptural support for each point made. The reader is encouraged and given the resources to do their own biblical investigation into the subject along with the author.

This is a book that will encourage Christians in the area of understanding the tithe and true, biblical, New Covenant giving principles. It will help the reader to understand clearly when tithing originated, why it was implemented in the Law and how it has been fulfilled completely through Christ. Wonderful emphasis is made upon the priesthood of the believer in Jesus Christ, his New Covenant privilege of intimate relationship with God and the role this plays in blessing others. No biblical stone is left unturned in this amazing presentation.

I believe this book has the potential to strengthen the understanding of many pastors and evangelists who have commonly taught tithing to the Church. If a person is teachable and eager to embrace the simple Word of God, this book will be an exciting, fresh look into the subject of Christian stewardship and right perspectives on biblical giving principles. It is an absolute must read for anyone desiring to better understand and embrace biblical truth and right doctrine as it concerns this topic.

I have to give Dr. Kelly's book a mixed review. On the one hand, I expected a solid analysis of biblical tithing and grace giving, and that is exactly what I got. Dr. Kelly leaves no stone unturned as he vigorously dismantles the fallacious teachings about tithing under the new covenant. His arguments generally are very persuasive and well backed by scripture, and he is quite thorough to make sure that a broad range of opposing arguments are dealt with. At times, though, the reading becomes somewhat dry and occasionally redundant. Roughly the first half of the book analyzes old testament texts, while the remainder of the book examines new testament passages.

Although I thought Dr. Kelly did an excellent job in this regard, nevertheless I cannot say that I agree with him on every point. For example, he takes the position that there were three tithes under Jewish law, and while this may be a purely academic point for modern Christians, it seems fairly clear to me that scripture only teaches two at the most, and more likely only one. It seems to me that Dr. Kelly asserts the existence of three old covenant tithes more to confound modern tithe advocates than because scripture really teaches it. Also, I was not entirely impressed with Dr. Kelly's treatment of Melchizedek in his analysis of Genesis 14. He makes much of Melchizedek's reference to "El Elyon" and Abraham's naming of "Yahweh," but Exodus 6:2-3 clearly teaches that God had not revealed himself to Abraham as "Yahweh" but as "El Shaddai."

Additionally, there are occasions when he leaps to conclusions which I do not believe are warranted by the scriptural text. This was most prevalent in Dr. Kelly's discussion of whether modern gospel workers should receive full-time monetary support. In my opinion, his analysis became unbalanced here in his zeal to take away every possible argument from tithe advocates. In so doing, Dr. Kelly throws out the baby with the proverbial bath water, or to borrow the expression from the Vietnam era, he destroys the village in order to save it. His arguments and conclusions on this subject, I believe, completely miss the spirit of the teachings of 1 Cor. 9 and related passages. Just because the tithe is not for the new covenant, this does not mean that those who devote their lives to full time ministry should not receive at least modest support from free will offerings. I don't know many who enter the ministry with the expectation of getting rich. Those who do end up financially successful usually do it through other means, such as authoring or speaking at seminars.

I also believe he places far more emphasis than is proper on the single reference in Acts 18:3 on Paul being a tentmaker. That single occurrence was when Paul was ministering at Corinth, undeniably the most carnal church of the early new testament age, and was doing so specifically to take away any occasion for criticism. But to argue that gospel workers must hold full time secular employment and minister only in their free time (something which is becoming increasingly rare nowadays) is tantamount to arguing that God never calls anyone into "full time" ministry and that those who claim to be so called must be incorrect, or are doing so out of base greed.

In summary, Dr. Kelly's book starts well enough, and does a great job of debunking the myth of new covenant tithing. However, from there he continues to charge forward rather blindly and does, I believe, more harm than good in his teachings about financial support for modern gospel workers. Definitely read this book, because it contains much of value, but read it with careful discernment.

I brought this book and did not regret it. I could not put it down until I finished it. Now I am reading it again. It is a reference book that can stand alone on it's own scholarly merit. It is the definitive book on the subject of tithing from a theological point of view. It deals with all the main proof texts used by pro-tithe preachers and digs deep and exposes the shallow, dishonest use of these bible verses and how they are used out of the context of these passages as a whole. In fact it shows how the rest of the surrounding text actually dismantles their argument! The whole of the bible is shown to be in agreement and shows that the weight of the argument is truly against a legalistic mandatory requirement and that the New Testament does not command or teach tithing at all. Your pastor may not want you to read this book! It takes a bit of study and concentration to absorb but it is well worth the read if you seriously want to arm yourself with the truth. It is one thing to know in your heart that you believe something, or suspect that something is not right with what you are currently being taught, but it is another thing to fully understand both sides of the argument and be able to defend your position! In fact having read Russell's book I now feel confident to be able to defend my beliefs now on any given verse or argument that someone could try to put to me. Russell shows how God has a better way under the New Covenant and how we are really robbing God and ourselves if we don't give with a proper heart attitude and as per the New Testament patterns and teaching of Jesus and the apostles. It is very liberating to know that I can give from my heart without any compulsion, from a sense of gratitude. We have a great responsibility as Christians but God is not pleased at our giving from any sense of guilt or the like! I enjoyed the part about Melchizedek the most as this example is used often as a pre-Mosaic Law example, but Russell defuses this argument also and leaves no stone unturned with his thorough biblical research which is accurate, logical, honest, consistent, and referenced throughout. He includes early church history, the current biblical customs at the times in the bible, well known historical Christian figure's views, other well known authors, theologians, seminaries and commentaries that also maintain and support this position. It is time we stood against the tide of this current "tradition" that is holding sway over people and "makes void the word of God". I believe many people are waking up to the abuses of what many pastors churches and denominations are doing and we need more scholars like Russell who is unafraid to put his body on the line to reveal the truth about tithing as the bible defines it, in contrast to giving in the New Testament.

This is a great book that really teaches the truth on what tithing was, and how it was practiced. It's unbelievable to witness all the current lies and misinformation about tithing that are from almost every Christian pulpit. I suppose in the vast majority of cases it is because of preachers that are naive about tithing, and just preaching what they've heard others preach (in the hopes of raising money to pay their salaries and building bigger church buildings).

As Christians, we have a much higher standard. It's called "stewardship." All that we have belongs to God (time, treasure, & talent), not just 10% of our increase. Also, the church at large should be blessed through giving, not just local churches intent on building a mega-church (because of false pride and ego). Also, it seems like such a sin to extract money from the poor, under the guise of a modern tithe, when in actuality a portion of the tithe went to the poor.

This give-to-get mentality that is preached in too many places will be blown apart by the truth found in this book. Please get it, read it, and help be a part of the reformation, against these false "tithe-preachers" found almost everywhere. It must break God's heart to see such emphasis on money nowadays.

We should give sacrificially to God. Not on the basis of a tithe, but out of love and obedience. The Lord loves a cheerful giver, and if it isn't given cheerfully, God doesn't want it (read Malachi ch. 2 regarding the heart)! Please don't give because of false preaching and interpretations of Malachi Ch. 3.

Having compared this book to another in favor of tithing, I found it based on fact rather than supposition. Each chapter of the book was chaulked full of reference material and quotations from schalars and bible students who back each assertion made by the author on the subject of tithes. Each verse commonly used in favor of tithing was challenged not only on a biblical basis, but also historically and logically.

After reading this book, the reader will be able to understand fully the many aspects of tithing and will never approach the subject of tithing with a "if you say so" attitude again.

I recomend this book to anyone with a biblical library who is serious about finding the truth in Gods Word. The book is easy to read and answers the challenges made by the proponents of tithing in exact and precise steps. It is a must for any library.

I have been a tither for my entire life and have taught and preached on tithing. I began to question those things that I have believed and this lead me to this book. I will not tithe the 10% again.

The only negative I have about this book is that at times the author seems to be grinding an axe.

I thought the book was well researched, backed up every thought with scripture, and had great comments on some of the familiar verses that people use to support New Testament tithing (Genesis 14:20, Malachi 3:8-10 and Matthew 23:23). I found the interpretation of Abraham tithing before the law as following pagan customs interesting. I also thought the author did a good job of explaining the meaning of Malachi 3:8-10 that opening the floodgates of heaven was a promise by God to make it rain (the one thing an agricultural society needed most).

I read RT Kendall's book "Tithing" at the same time to get the counter viewpoint (one that supports NT tithing). The balance on the cover of the book is a good way to sum up my conclusions: the balance weighs heavily in favor of not teaching tithing as a way to give in the new covenant Church. Kelly does a good job of supporting every argument he makes with the Word of God.

The book is a little dry for anyone not used to studying verses of Scripture in-depth. That is the only reason for the 4 instead of 5 stars. As Andrew Murray says, "How different our standard is from Christ's. We ask how much a man gives, Christ asks how much he keeps." I pray this book will help people understand the true meaning of stewardship and that God owns it all, not just the 90%.

Ashley Hodge, CFP
Southlake, TX

The author has demonstrated through overwhelming biblical evidence that tithing is not for Christians today. I wish Christians would study the scriptures he quotes and follow the Word of God instead of the words of some pastors who follow a tradition instituted by the Catholic church hundreds of years after Christ. Jesus and all the apostles never taught tithing. They taught the concept of free will giving. Apostle Paul even contradicts tithing in 2 Cor 9:7-10 "Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Beside the numerous New Testament biblical evidence stating that we are no longer under the old law, Dr. Kelly shows through his Old Testament biblical text proofing that even if were still under the law, we are only allowed to tithe to the Levite priesthood which no longer exists. This is the reason Jewish Rabbis who strictly follow the Old Testament today do not collect tithes, to do so would be a sin, instead they tell the congregations to tithe to the poor or to a charity.

I recommend this book to any Christian who wishes to explore the bible in great detail on this topic. Dr. Kelly takes you on an excellent study relying more on the Word of God than personal opinions.

This is easily the best book on the topic of tithing out there. It is professionally done and well-written. Not only will the reader learn truths about tithing that are not revealed in church, there is a great deal of quality teaching concerning priesthoods and the new covenant.

The only questions I might have are that the author believes that in the old covenant there were three distinct and separate tithes taken. It is my opinion that there was only one annual tithe, spent in three different ways according to the tithe cycle, with every 7th and 50th year having no tithe requirements at all (sabbath rest for the land... the tithe, after all, was food and never money!)

This is a book you can dive into and get something new in multiple readings of the same chapters. Kelly even discusses in-depth the secular history of tithing, as well as how the practice crept into Christian circles well after the early church (Which, of course, never mandated a 10-percent temple-tax to build churches, pay pastors, or influence politics.)

Your pastor will hate it, but God loves it.

The truth will set you free; this book will help loosen the bonds of finacial voo-doo that the mainstream church preaches today.

This book investigates many aspects of the Bible and provides informative analysis. Unlike most tithing books, there is very little because-I-say-so going on. Unfortunately, many would rather follow tradition than discover what God's Word truly says. This book helps ease the transition to the latter.

I suppose I should state my biases before I begin... I am a happily remarried white male with 3 kids and a mortgage. I attend a Full Gospel church, graduated Rhema Bible training center and currently am in the process of starting a church. Ok, anyone still reading?
I found the majority of this book to be very informative and accurate. It was an exhaustive (if not exhausting at times) study on the topic of giving, specifically tithing. I found Mr. Kelly's scriptural discussions to be of merit and for the most part accurate. What I did not appreciate was the tone of much of the book.
The author seems convinced that most of the preachers teaching tithing are crooks - knowingly and shamelessly robbing their congregations blind (Although in all fairness, his opinion of tithe preachers was tame compared to some of the excerpts I have read of other books). Perhaps I am a bit naive but most of the ministers I have associated with over the years have been persons of sound character and genuine convictions even though they taught tithing. Certainly there are charlatans out there but they are the exception rather than the rule. The problem is not so much greed as it is misinformation and fear. We will never be able to teach New Testament giving principles to them if we approach them with insults and a baseball bat! Personally I feel it is more important that the truth is preached than I prove myself right. My mother has always said, "You'll catch more flies with honey than vinegar." Please Mr. Kelly, this teaching is vital to the church, I ask you to speak the truth in love.