A surprisingly relevant and thorough look at why tithing may not be a legitimate choice for churches and for Christians.
A comprehensive refutation of the modern concept of tithing.
In this unique debut work, brothers Michael L. Webb and Mitchell T. Webb take on a sacred cow of Christian praxis—the tithe. Despite innumerable divisions in Christianity over theology, styles of worship, and almost every other aspect of religious life, virtually no one seems to have seriously (or, at least, openly) argued against the practice of tithing. The Webbs change that with this lengthy book, in which they leave no stone unturned in their refutation of the tithe as a practice for raising church money. The authors show a keen awareness of the fact that too many churches make the subject of tithing an uncomfortable and unwelcoming focus of their teachings. The idea that generosity only begins after an obligatory tithe has been paid, they say, serves only to discourage heartfelt giving. “Christians should be liberal and cheerful givers,” the authors note, but they assert that a system of tithes and offerings “does more harm than good.” The Webbs make a simple, straightforward argument in this thorough work, saying that, from a biblical perspective, the tithe has nothing to do with money. Old Testament tithing referred to crops and livestock, they say, and never to monetary wages. (Similarly, the idea of “firstfruits” is said to be agricultural in nature, not economical.) The Webbs also assert that Christians aren’t required to follow such Old Testament rules. Quite to the contrary, they say that tithing, as a budgeting structure for local churches, takes assistance away from the sick and needy. Overall, this work is strikingly well-researched and documented. However, the authors’ tendency to hint at major themes without revealing them outright can be frustrating. For instance, readers are forced to wait for more than 300 pages before they learn why the authors feel that tithing inhibits the overall giving of a church community.
A surprisingly relevant and thorough look at why tithing may not be a legitimate choice for churches and for Christians.Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5413-1247-0
Page Count: 414
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2017
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
An enjoyable slice of 20th-century music journalism almost certain to provide something for most readers, no matter one’s...
Music journalist and musician Wald (Talking 'Bout Your Mama: The Dozens, Snaps, and the Deep Roots of Rap, 2014, etc.) focuses on one evening in music history to explain the evolution of contemporary music, especially folk, blues, and rock.
The date of that evening is July 25, 1965, at the Newport Folk Festival, where there was an unbelievably unexpected occurrence: singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, already a living legend in his early 20s, overriding the acoustic music that made him famous in favor of electronically based music, causing reactions ranging from adoration to intense resentment among other musicians, DJs, and record buyers. Dylan has told his own stories (those stories vary because that’s Dylan’s character), and plenty of other music journalists have explored the Dylan phenomenon. What sets Wald's book apart is his laser focus on that one date. The detailed recounting of what did and did not occur on stage and in the audience that night contains contradictory evidence sorted skillfully by the author. He offers a wealth of context; in fact, his account of Dylan's stage appearance does not arrive until 250 pages in. The author cites dozens of sources, well-known and otherwise, but the key storylines, other than Dylan, involve acoustic folk music guru Pete Seeger and the rich history of the Newport festival, a history that had created expectations smashed by Dylan. Furthermore, the appearances on the pages by other musicians—e.g., Joan Baez, the Weaver, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Dave Van Ronk, and Gordon Lightfoot—give the book enough of an expansive feel. Wald's personal knowledge seems encyclopedic, and his endnotes show how he ranged far beyond personal knowledge to produce the book.
An enjoyable slice of 20th-century music journalism almost certain to provide something for most readers, no matter one’s personal feelings about Dylan's music or persona.Pub Date: July 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-06-236668-9
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Dey Street/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 15, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK TO SCREEN
BOOK TO SCREEN
BOOK TO SCREEN
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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