If only America had tithed more
Posted on March 17th, 2008 by catalyst into the Prosperity Doctrine categoryAs you may have noticed, the country is experiencing a little bit of financial Armageddon right now.
I would love to write about my theories on what is happening to the U.S. economy, but honestly, I do not really know what I am talking about.
So let me refer you to Calculated Risk; the best Financial Blog out there. I've been reading the blog for a couple of years now, and this guy has accurately predicted most of the country's current financial turmoil. From the drop in Housing to the failure of the credit markets, this guy saw it coming.
And if anything good comes out of this economic downturn, I hope it is that the curtain is pulled back on the Prosperity Gospel to revel it as the hokey doctrine it is.
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March 17th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Hey I just heard that City Harvest Church up in Vancouver, WA. is facing a major budget shortfall because less people are tithing and they undertook a massive building project which has gone south because of the real estate collapse. They are facing all sorts of cutback and layoffs of paid staff members. I am sure there are other churches out there facing the same thing in these tough times. May God be with our country as we face a major financial correction.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:38 am
catalyst uses the title: If only America had tithed more…
cat, I found your title very interesting because I am planning a section in my book about the mandatory tithe called, Tithing and Causation.
I raise the question as to how tithers can really know for sure that it was their tithing that caused the blessings that have come into their lives rather than other things causing them - even, maybe, grace!
Once we accept Dt. 27-28, the chapters of the blessings and cursings of The Reciprocal Covenant of Moses as the total basis of all historical happenings (both in and out of the church) then we come up with just such conclusions to financial crisis: no one tithed enough to prevent this!
great insight!
March 18th, 2008 at 11:00 am
David,
I am curious, will there be a section in your book regarding the idea that when people who are in such a tight knit community find their needs provided for it is due to the fact that they are all familiar with each others wants and needs and are doing the providing themselves?
JT
March 18th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
JT, thanks for the question; i need a little clarification: do you mean will I emphasize the idea of love and generosity on a one to one basis in a small community versus giving one’s money to a centralized church organization which then distributes the funds according to its own protocols?
if so, yes, I will be giving a theology of giving in the NT church to give the positive alternative to the mandatory tithe system through a centralized temple - run by a modern high priesthood!
March 18th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Actually what I mean is this:
When someone has a need (money for bills, food, shoes for their kids, etc) or even a want (money to go on a missions trip, to attend a conference/camp, buy a car, etc), that need is often met by another person in the church community — sometimes anonymously, sometimes not.
Usually the person receiving this “gift” thinks of it as a blessing from God due to their tithing (among other things), when really it is because they belong to this community. They are surrounded by people who know the details of their lives even if they are not intimate or close with all of them. Communities take care of each other (generally).
I’m not saying that those things are not a blessing–but I think it is more about where they allowed God to lead them (to a community) rather than their tithe.
I hope that makes sense.
March 18th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
The first time that I had ever heard that idea was when I read “Spirit & Flesh:Life in a Fundamentalist Baptist Church” by James M. Jr. Ault. It’s a really, really good book and helped me to understand my fundamentalist church from an outsiders perspective.
March 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
JT: yes, that makes a lot of sense, and, thank you, made a note of your great thought for my book!
I’m interested in the book you mentioned, Spirit and Flesh by Ault. Can you give me a general overview of the book here on the blog - the points that helped you the most?
March 18th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
JT, (forgot) if you want to give me your real name, i can put that in my footnotes, or I can refer the thought above to your aka : )
March 18th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
James Ault is a sociologist and through circumstances in his own life and what was going on in the world he became interested in what it is that draws people to a fundamentalist religion. From the outside it seems so rigid and unforgiving, but millions of people embrace it as their way of life. As a sociologist this of course interested him so he began to study different churches. He ended up spending about 3 years in one church. He knew everyone and he was with them through difficult times and breaks within the church.
He is very objective and fair and he is able to take characteristics of fundamentalist churches and explain what makes them attractive from a non-religious standpoint. He is also able to explain why fundamentalists are so ardently (and often furiously) opposed to certain things in society that has nothing to do with the Bible (he doesn’t discard those reasons or objections that are Biblical–he just offers other reasons that serve as reinforcements of those Biblical beliefs).
The thing that I loved the most about the book was gaining the tools to be able to talk to people in my life who had no association with a fundamentalist way of life and being able to explain to them the practical draws of the church (aside from the possible Spiritual draws). I would encourage everyone I know to read this book–it opens up understanding on both sides really.
I believe Mr.Ault was an atheist…but some years after his time at that church he became a believer.
Also, he produced a video documentary regarding these same issues and titled “Born Again: Life in a Fundamentalist Baptist Church” (1987).
I wish I could give you more specifics but my mind usually works and retains in generalities.
March 18th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
And those reasons also offer understanding for a person who is not religious or spiritual.
David,
I prefer not to put my real name here but here is my email address:
luckyloo77@gmail.com
I will happily respond if you email me there.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:54 am
JT, thank you very much for your info on James Ault and your email address. I made a note of both of them.