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

1-11-2010: Finally, finally, finally, there will soon be a book in bookstores everywhere presenting our viewpont about tithign. Seehttp://www.amazon.com/Perspectives-Tithing-Views-David-Croteau/dp/0805449779/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289482778&sr=8-1
 
Our good friend, David Croteau, is both editor and contributor. He evaluates all four views plus his own extensively. I suggest all of you buy this book and spread the word.  For me it is a great breakthrogh.
 
This book is both publilshed and circulated by the Southern Baptist Convention's own press. 
 And it is very affordable.

David Croteau, Ph. D.,

Slave of the Word

http://slaveoftheword.blogspot.com

 

Dr. David Croteau, PhD, graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina after writing his Ph. D. dissertation on the subject of tithing. His primary instructor for the dissertation was Andreas Kostenberger. The reader for his Ph. D. dissertation was Craig Blomberg of Denver Seminary.  Dr. Croteau is currently on staff at Liberty University.

 

AUDIOS BY DR. DAVID CROTEAU:

 

Part One; June 3, 2009

Introduction; Definitions; History; Abraham; Jacob

 

Part 2; June 5, 2009

Law; Leviticus 27; Numbers 18; Deuteronomy 14 & 26; Malachi 3

 

Part 3: Aug 26, 2009

Jesus, Paul, Hebrews

 

Part 4: Aug 27, 2009

NT Giving Principles

Pickwick (an imprint of Wipf and Stock) has published my book in the McMaster
Theological Studies Series: You Mean I Don't Have to Tithe?

Here is the link:
http://wipfandstock.com/store/You_Mean_I_Dont_Have_to_Tithe_A_Deconstruction_of_\
Tithing_and_a_Reconstruction_of_PostTithe_Giving

It is a reworking of my dissertation. I argue, in essence, what this group has been discussing for a few years - that the tithe has no direct application for Christians. The text of the book is over 270 pages and here are the endorsements:

 

"David Croteau's study promises to be the definitive work on tithing for years to come. Croteau provides a thorough survey of the history of scholarship on the issue, exegetes all relevant biblical texts, and discusses all the major systematic theological issues at stake. But Croteau does not stop there. He sets tithing within the framework of the larger pattern of New Covenant giving, which renders his study not merely academically significant but also immensely practical. For all those interested in the subject of giving, tithing, and financial Christian stewardship, this is a must-read-highly recommended."

—Andreas J. Köstenberger

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

 

"Argumentation is extremely thorough and persuasive . . . the amount of material surveyed especially in recent American church history is exemplary. . . . The positions articulated are eminently defensible and indeed superbly defended. An important contribution in the current American and SBC [Southern Baptist Convention] conversation and milieu."

—Craig Blomberg

Denver Seminary

 

"David Croteau is an engaging young scholar who has done some careful thinking regarding the biblical concept of stewardship. For example, his twenty principles of giving in chapter 5 provide a handy, succinct summary of his research."

—Gary Habermas

Liberty University"

 

Are Christians obligated to tithe? David Croteau thinks not, and argues that it is only our traditionalism that prevents us from following the biblical instructions about giving. The New Covenant foundation for giving is always relationship-driven, grace-driven, and love-driven. "Radical obedience is required," the author states. But Christians who give less than 10 percent "do not sin." I am impressed with Mr. Croteau's work. It offers valid, profound, and inspiring direction to all and especially evangelical Christians."

—David Alan Black

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary"

 

Since one's view of giving or tithing often is the consequence and application of their theological system, and since there is no agreement on this issue, this is a discussion that can contribute to the practice of the church. Not only will students of theology and divinity in colleges and seminaries be able to make use of such a volume, but clergy and other practitioners in the church will be able to profit from such a volume as well. This is an issue that is raised by Christians in the church every week when the offering or collection plate is distributed. David Croteau possesses the theological skills necessary to developThe theological guide through the various issues in a manner that is not only informative, but also irenic and impartial."

—Wayne G. Strickland

Multnomah Bible College

LIST OF TITHING OPPONENTS THROUGHOUT HISTORY

Comparing/COMPARING

 

Should the Church Teach Tithing by Russell E Kelly, PHD.

(Not in capital letters.)

 

YOU MEAN I DON’T HAVE TO TITHE BY DAVID CROTEAU, PHD.  (CAPITAL LETTERS.)

 

Length of Book:         274 (279) plus Biblo. & Author

LENGTH OF BOOK:     269 (395) with Major Appends

         Dedication                          v 

         DEDICATION                      xi-x11

…..   

PREFACE                            ix-x 

…..

Introduction                       1-3

INTRODUCTION                 1-8

         …..   

ABBREVIATIONS                13-15       

……….

Tithing Texts Section         5-125, 147-169 (longest section)

         TITHE TEXTS                     88-138, 131-138, 219

         ……….      

         New Covenant Giving         181-209, 224-234 major focus

         NEW COVENANT                139-148, 247-251

         ……….

Other Key Chapters           126-132, 170-180, 210-223, 235-245

……….

Hermeneutics                    133-146

HERMENEUTICS                 151-237, 298-309 major focus  

…..   

History of Tithing               246-262

         HISTORY                            9-82, 271-302 major focus

…..   

Scripture Index                  (At Web Site)

         SCRIPTURE INDEX             347-363

         …..

NAME-SUBJECT INDEX      365-380

        

1.      Define Tithe                                5-12

                  MONEY                                102

                  FOOD INCREASE                108

 

GENESIS 4                                      83-87

 

2.      Genesis 14, Abram             13-29

GENESIS 14                        88-90, 11-113

         Numbers 31               25-26

NUMBERS 31             112

 

3.      Genesis 28; Jacob               30-31

GENESIS 28                        91-94, 114-115

 

4.      Numbers 18                        32-38

NUMBERS 18                      103-104

 

5.      Leviticus 27                        39-45

LEVITICUS 27                    102-102

 

6.      Land Inheritance                46-48

 

7.      How Many Tithes                49-55

THREE TITHES                    106-110

 

8.      Deu 12/14 Odd Texts        56-60

 

9.      The Poor                             61-66

 

10.    Taxes                                  67-72

TAXES                                 109

 

11.    2 Chronicles 31                   73-78

2 CHRONICLES 31              117

 

12.    Nehemiah                           79-88

NEHEMIAH                         119-120

 

13.    Malachi                               89-114

MALACHI                            121-127

 

MATTHEW 22                              138-139

 

14.    Matthew 23:23                   115-121

MATTHEW 23                     129-130

 

15.    Luke 18-19                         122-125

LUKE 18                              131

 

16.    Acts 15, 21                         126-132

         ACTS 15,21                         65, 95, 148, 162, 195, 202, 231

 

17.    New Covenant                   133-139

18.    Law: Dispensational          140-146

         HERMENEUTICS                          151-237, 298-309 major focus

        

19.    Hebrews 7                          147-169

HEBREWS 7                        131-138

 

20.    Ephesians 2; Colossians 2  170-175

         Ordinances Abolished        14 references 360-361

 

21.    Priesthood-Believers         176-180

         1 Peter 2:9-10; Rev 5:10  

PRIESTHOOD                     157, 159, 218

 

22.    1 Corinthians 9                   181-198

1 CORINTHIANS 9                      140-145, 149 23 references

 

23.    1 Corinthians 16                 199-209

1 CORINTHIANS 16                    146; 23 references

 

Galatians 6:6                              141, 179

GALATIANS 6:6                          148-150

 

25.    1 Timothy 5                        210-216

1 TIMOTHY 5                     167,170,233,234, 264

 

25.    Objections                          217-223

 

26.    Acts 20                               235-245

         ACTS 20                             144, 218, 219, 242, 244

 

27.    2 Corinthians 8 and 9         227-234

2 CORINTHIANS 8-9          146-149, 241-256

 

28.    Chafer and Walvoord         224-226

         CHAFER: 17 REFERENCES  367

 

29.    History of Tithing               246-262

         HISTORY                            9-82, 271-302 major focus

                 

30.    Summary: Tithing               263-271

SUMMARY                          293-297

 

31.    Gospel Priority                   272-274

 

About the Author                        279