In this essay I will be addressing a issue that can get you into big time trouble in the Black Church. Dr. Earl keller calls it the "Taboo Doctrine, and Dr. Graeme Carle calls it "Eating Sacred Cows. What am I talking about? Tithing!
There is an ongoing debate, among thinking Christians, concerning the scriptural teaching on giving for the New Covenant Church. It has been taught for years that tithing is required of each Christian by God. It is really interesting that the Old Testament scripture of Malachi is used as the word of authority. Malachi 3:8(NLV) 'Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! But you ask, 'What do you mean? when did we cheat you? 'You cheated me of the tithes and offering due me. You are under a curse for your whole nation has been cheating me'.
As a student of the scriptures this point of view puzzled me in light of what is said, and not said in the New Testament. My first thought is this information was for the Jews, and I am a Gentile. Jesus and His disciples spent their entire time trying to convert the Jews and Gentile in the teachings of the New Covenant and letting go of the Old. In Gal 3:13 I read that Christ had redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written.' In Galatians 5: 4 'For you are trying to make yourself right with God by keeping the law, you have cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace. In my humble understanding of Galatians 3:13 Christ has cancelled out the curse of Malachi 3:8 when He died on the cross. Did not the God the Father give the power and authority to His son Jesus? In Galatians 5:9 we are warned that trying to keep parts of the law while following Christ is like a little leaven that can corrupt the entire lot? Is teaching tithes in the NT church a little leaven? In Matthew 5:17 Jesus tells us that He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but He came to fulfill them! Mathew Henry gives the example of the law as a vessel that had some water in it before, he did not come to pour out the water, but to fill the vessel to the brim.'
As I read more of the New Testament I began to wonder why Paul never mentioned tithes! One theologian from Into the Light Miniseries wrote, "Did tithing become part of the New Covenant? If so God decided to hide it from Paul and other New Testament writers. Some say tithing was before the law, part of the law and enforce now also. Where are the New Testament Scriptures for this? If you know your scriptures, you know that circumcision was before the law, but it is not mandatory today.
I know you bible scholars remember the 'Council of Jerusalem and what took place there! It was a meeting of all the high ranking Christians Leaders to deal with the Jews wanting to force Gentile converts to be circumcised as proof of genuine conversion. Acts 15:7 (NLV) ' At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed the followers; " Brothers you all know God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. 15:10 Why are you now questioning God by burdening the Gentiles believers with the yoke that neither we or our ancestors were able to bear. The finding of the council was read in verse 15: 28 which stated' " For it seems good to the Holy Spirit and to US to lay not greater burden on you than these requirement:15: 29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or eating the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Where is the directive to tithe 10%? This would be the ideal time and place to give that directive!
What does the New Testament really say about giving? In Act 2:44-45 we read that they sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men, as everyone had a need'. This is again repeated in Acts 4:34.! In 2 Corinthians 9:7 Paul says, 'Every man according as he puposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." This goes hand in hand with Hebrew 10:16, The Lord said that this the Covenant that I will make with them after those days, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds, will I write them. Paul, unlike many preachers today believed that the Lord has written on the heart, and had confidence that people would give accordingly.
Why is tithing taught with so little scriptural authority? Jesus give us the answer to this question in Mark chapter 7: 7-12. He confronts the preachers for teaching the people man made traditions instead of the teaching of the Lord. In 8 He said that they were laying aside the commandments of God, to hold to the tradition of men.... In verse 9 He tells them that they reject the commandment of God, that they may keep their own traditions. He was particularly upset that people were being taught that they had to give to the church when their parents needed help. In 7:10 He says, " For Moses said, honor thy Mother and thy Father; and, whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death." In 7:12 Jesus says that these teaching make it impossible for the people care for their parents. He goes on to say I never told you to give to the church and neglect you parents. That teaching is something that you and others devised. In 7:13 Jesus says that you, by your man made traditions, make the Word of God of none effect. He goes on to tell them that this is their custom/tradition, and they have many more that He does not approve. This is still happening in the church today? Yes!
How many times have you heard from the pulpit, " your tithes should be paid first before anything else?' Is this what the scriptures teach in Mark 7: 6-13. Have these preachers, teacher not read the scriptures, or do they pick and choose what they read? One writer said this is to exegetic the body of scriptures with inconvenient omission". Dr. David Jeremiah once said the preachers have to stop the practice of not teaching those scriptures that are contrary to their denomination, beliefs, or comfort zone. If there is milk coming from the pulpit, how will anyone become ready for meat?
Tithing was not introduced to the New Testament Church until the 1870"s. In 1885 Parson Cook a Presbyterian wrote the "Divine Law of Beneficence which said," You will observe these gifts were all free will offering-no laws imposed on fixed rates of contributions. Some say that Cook's favorite text was 1 Corinthians 16:2. The Apostolic Treasury 1870 stated ,"All churches finances are to be underwritten by free will offering paid by the rich and the poor alike according to their ability."
In 1916 J.R. Roberts writes in the Dictionary of the Apostolic Church,' It is admitted universally that the payments of tithes or the tenth of possession for sacred purpose did not find a place within the church during the age covered by the apostles and their immediate successors. Who were their immediate successors? Clement of Rome, Justin Martyr, Tertullen, Origen, Thomas Aquinas!
In 1878 C.P Jennings , instituted tithing and said,' The tithes is to be paid before any other debt. It is the debt to be paid before anything else can be called a gift or a free will offering." How many times have you heard this? Tithes, and Pew Taxes were used by many denominations to pay for clergy salaries. Research has shown that teaching tithing has had little success in the church. Research by the Barna Group show that only 9% all born again believers tithe. The average tithe given is about 3% and not 10%. In 2007 the median amount given to the church was $400, and the mean amount $1308. Those who usually give 10% or more would have done it anyway because it's on their heart to give. Christ knew that Laws could not change the heart! There are many in congregations who secretly whisper that they don't believe they have to pay tithes, because they can find not such orders in the New Testament. They say they do not wish to confront the pastor or go against his/her teaching, even though they don't agree or believe this specific teaching. They feel that they speak with their pocketbooks, if not with their mouths. In fact churches with highly committed, and generous church member sometimes do better than churches that teach tithing. One Mennonite write stated, 'Tithing is so deeply rooted in Christian Tradition, so deeply embedded in the Christian Psyche that some have to struggle to evade its hold on their hearts."
I want to make one thing clear, that I am a 'free will' giver and in 2011 gave more than $9,000 to the church and various charities. It looks like we have given over $10,000 for 2012. So I am not against giving! I am writing this because I believe in the truth and the truth will set you free.
There are modern day theologians such as the late J. Vernon Mcgee, George Barna, Chuck Swindoll, John McArther (_1982-2000), Charles Spurgeon, Mark Driscoll who don't believe in tithing is NT scriptual! In the past we had Clement of Rome Justin Martyr, Terullian, Origen, Thomas Aquinas who did not believe tithing was a dictate of the New Covenant. If you know your church history some of these men had direct contact with the apostles, and some were the one's who were next in line to lead the church. I think I would have more confidence in these men that anyone teaching today. The further you get from the source the more convoluted and water down the teaching gets. Uneducated, unwise people teaching, preaching, and biblically unread parishioners, will continue to be the downfall of the church.
It is shameful when man made traditions permeate the church and the members can't tell the difference. My advice to you is found in Act 17:11, " Everyday they studied the holy writing to see if what teachers said was true." The people of Berea knew when Paul and the rest were lining up with scriptures. I sit in church and hear people shout Amen to some of the most off the wall opinionated man made traditions that have been past from one preacher to the next . The people have not idea what they say amen to! In Palms 119:98-100 we are told that by studying, and meditating that you can gain more insight than your teacher, and you can understand more than the aged. You have to learn to read and study the word in breath and dept . Going to a bible study every week with a teacher who is unknowingly teaching man made traditions won't help. It is beneficial to some time attend a church where teaching takes place and take a break from preaching. I hope you can tell the difference!
I hope that this essay will challenge you to search the scriptures, to ask yourself questions, to seek answers. Some reading this are so indoctrinated that they stopped reading after they found out the content. I have been told by some that tithing may not be in the NT, but it's not hurting anyone! Others have said if we teach that NT stuff we will have to close our doors for lack of finances.
When and if this essay get out, I will probably be seen as a heretic and a cancer to the faith. Peter was brave enough to change his thinking when face with the dream/vision about foods that had once been forbidden to consume. In today's church it would be difficult for one who had gained doctrine insight to go against the status quo of the faith. God speed!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
FAITH: THE CORE OF CHRISTIAN EXISTENCE!
How often have you contemplated the question "who am I", why am I here, where am I going? Human beings have asked these very questions throughout the history of mankind. We come up with common answers such as I am a son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent, uncle, aunt, and the examples go on and on. We spend a great portion of our lives wandering aimlessly in the wilderness of society, or our minds. We are in the constant exploration of those things that we think will make us complete, make us happy, make us feel fulfilled. If only we find the right lover, the right career, get that degree, make x-amount of money we will be fulfilled. Wow, we then achieve these goals and find that the satisfaction is fluid, short lived and elusive.
As I progressed in life I began to question my own existence. Was all to life getting an education, getting married, having children, raising them, working hard until age 66 and prepare to die? That seems like a very depressing and scripted journey. It's not much different from the fish that swim up stream and lay their eggs and then die. If this is life, no wonder so many young people have decided to just drop out and enjoy life without any thought of long term goals or aspirations. The results of the former is depression, physical illness, unhappiness, social conflict, broken relationships. The latter results immediate gratification, impulsiveness, poor self control, poor problem solving skills, and probable criminal justice involvement.
This concern about human existence is called by many "existentialism" and one of the most famous proponent of this view, and a favorite of mine is Kierkegaard. Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish Christian Philosopher in the late 1800's. Austine Cline tells us that Kierkegaard's question is," how the individual human being can come to terms with their own existence, for it is that existence which is most important thing in a person's life. Who am I? why do I exist? Unfortunately, we are as if adrift in a sea of possible modes of living with no secure anchor that reason informs us will provide certainty and confidence." Kierkegaard believed that faith was a gift from God, and that the highest moral position is reached when a person realizes this and, no longer depends upon her or himself and takes a leap into the arms of a loving God.
Austin Cline in, Christian Existentialist Thought & Christian Belief, writes that "Kierkegaard's existentialism implicitly focus upon the idea that the leap of faith we must make must be one which cause us to surrender ourselves totally to God rather that to insist on a continued reliance upon our own reason."
Kierkegaard, a devote Lutheran, wrote "that God is not like a human being; it is not important to God to have visible evidence so that he can see if his causes has been victorious or not; he sees in secret just as well. Moreover, it is so far from being the cause that you should help God to learn anew that it is rather he will help you learn anew, so that you are weaned from the worldly point of view that insist on visible evidence."
What exactly is the definition of faith? The dictionary defines "faith" as a belief or trust in something, especially without logical proof. A set of beliefs or principals. It is also described as "a hope and belief in the doness or trust worthiness; of a person concept or entity." Generally speaking it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition that, " things will turn out well in the end, can be savored in the presence and secure in the future."(Wikipedia) Sometimes the term faith and belief are used together or interchangeable. To believe is is to accept something as true, to have firm faith especially religious faith. As Christan's we are taught, in scriptures, that Christ has made certain promises to us. It is the strength of this belief that He will honor theses promises that constitutes our "faith."
The scriptures tell us in Hebrews 11:1" What is faith? It is the confidence assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see."(NLT) In Hebrew 11:3 we are told that by faith we can understand the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Then the writers of Hebrews go on to give us example after example of those great one's of faith who depended on God's promises and believed in them.
How do we gain faith? The scriptures in Romans10:17 tells us that " faith come by hearing and hearing by the word of God." What does this really mean? It means that the Lord has in the scriptures and through the Holy Spirit given us all the information we need deal with the everyday challenges of this world. If you view the New Testament Covenant as a "Drama" written by the inspiration of God, produced by Jesus, and directed by the Holy Spirit. The script,(scriptures) teaches us, the "actors," our role and responsibilities in this "Life Drama." We are told the more we study and practice our part the more pleased the director, and greater our chance for a reward at the end. In 2 Timothy 3:16 we are told that the entire Bible is inspired by God and that we should read it and apply it to our lives. It tells us," all scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong with our lives.
What are some of the rights, promises and privileges that are available to us as believers? Well as Romans 12:2 tells us that we should not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." This requires that leap to faith that Kierkegaard speaks of, its our crossing the line into the spiritual realm, where all the privileges and promises exist.
As I progressed in life I began to question my own existence. Was all to life getting an education, getting married, having children, raising them, working hard until age 66 and prepare to die? That seems like a very depressing and scripted journey. It's not much different from the fish that swim up stream and lay their eggs and then die. If this is life, no wonder so many young people have decided to just drop out and enjoy life without any thought of long term goals or aspirations. The results of the former is depression, physical illness, unhappiness, social conflict, broken relationships. The latter results immediate gratification, impulsiveness, poor self control, poor problem solving skills, and probable criminal justice involvement.
This concern about human existence is called by many "existentialism" and one of the most famous proponent of this view, and a favorite of mine is Kierkegaard. Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish Christian Philosopher in the late 1800's. Austine Cline tells us that Kierkegaard's question is," how the individual human being can come to terms with their own existence, for it is that existence which is most important thing in a person's life. Who am I? why do I exist? Unfortunately, we are as if adrift in a sea of possible modes of living with no secure anchor that reason informs us will provide certainty and confidence." Kierkegaard believed that faith was a gift from God, and that the highest moral position is reached when a person realizes this and, no longer depends upon her or himself and takes a leap into the arms of a loving God.
Austin Cline in, Christian Existentialist Thought & Christian Belief, writes that "Kierkegaard's existentialism implicitly focus upon the idea that the leap of faith we must make must be one which cause us to surrender ourselves totally to God rather that to insist on a continued reliance upon our own reason."
Kierkegaard, a devote Lutheran, wrote "that God is not like a human being; it is not important to God to have visible evidence so that he can see if his causes has been victorious or not; he sees in secret just as well. Moreover, it is so far from being the cause that you should help God to learn anew that it is rather he will help you learn anew, so that you are weaned from the worldly point of view that insist on visible evidence."
What exactly is the definition of faith? The dictionary defines "faith" as a belief or trust in something, especially without logical proof. A set of beliefs or principals. It is also described as "a hope and belief in the doness or trust worthiness; of a person concept or entity." Generally speaking it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition that, " things will turn out well in the end, can be savored in the presence and secure in the future."(Wikipedia) Sometimes the term faith and belief are used together or interchangeable. To believe is is to accept something as true, to have firm faith especially religious faith. As Christan's we are taught, in scriptures, that Christ has made certain promises to us. It is the strength of this belief that He will honor theses promises that constitutes our "faith."
The scriptures tell us in Hebrews 11:1" What is faith? It is the confidence assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see."(NLT) In Hebrew 11:3 we are told that by faith we can understand the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Then the writers of Hebrews go on to give us example after example of those great one's of faith who depended on God's promises and believed in them.
How do we gain faith? The scriptures in Romans10:17 tells us that " faith come by hearing and hearing by the word of God." What does this really mean? It means that the Lord has in the scriptures and through the Holy Spirit given us all the information we need deal with the everyday challenges of this world. If you view the New Testament Covenant as a "Drama" written by the inspiration of God, produced by Jesus, and directed by the Holy Spirit. The script,(scriptures) teaches us, the "actors," our role and responsibilities in this "Life Drama." We are told the more we study and practice our part the more pleased the director, and greater our chance for a reward at the end. In 2 Timothy 3:16 we are told that the entire Bible is inspired by God and that we should read it and apply it to our lives. It tells us," all scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong with our lives.
What are some of the rights, promises and privileges that are available to us as believers? Well as Romans 12:2 tells us that we should not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." This requires that leap to faith that Kierkegaard speaks of, its our crossing the line into the spiritual realm, where all the privileges and promises exist.
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