Based on a previous blog post, two individuals mentioned the relationship between Melchizedek and Abraham as proof that Christians under Grace should continue to tithe. Not so.Many Church leader like to use Genesis 14 to support why they belief Christians under Grace should still tithe. The unfortunate thing is that they do it without knowing the biblical, historical facts of tithing and the relationship between Melchizedek and Abraham, not to mention the reason why Abraham gave a tenth of his spoils of war to Malchizedek. Oh it's interesting when you consider that many just repeat what they hear, regardless of what the Bible says.
First, Abraham VOLUNTARILY tithed spoils of war, not his personal income or wealth.
Secondly, Abraham gave what was not his personal property. All Theologians will tell you that according to Leviticus Law, you only tithe what belongs to you. What Abraham gave to Malchizedek did not belong to him.
Third, the tithing of Abraham was a single event. There is no where else in the bible that mentions Abraham giving a tenth ever again.
Fourth, Abraham chose, or purpose in his heart to give a tenth to Malchizedek. The same type of giving that Paul talked about in 2 Corinth. 8 and 9.
Five, During that time in history, it was customary to give a tenth of your war spoils to those who assisted you in winning the war. This was Malchizedeks role and relationship to Abraham.
Melchizedek does not provide a legitimate pre-law foundation which can be used as an example of tithing for the New Covenant Christian. This conclusion is also held by many Christian denominations, it is noteworthy that this is also the original position of the Scofield Reference Bible, leading schools such as Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, and highly respected authors such as Craig Blomberg, Lewis Sperry Chafer, Walter Elwell, Theodore Epp, John MacArthur, Charles Ryrie, Charles Swindol, Merrill Unger and John Walvoord. These evangelical scholars contend that the historical Melchizedek was never used to validate tithing in the Mosaic Law under the Old Covenant and cannot be used to validate tithing in the New Testament after Calvary. It will be shown that there is no eternal principle found in Genesis 14 which can be brought forward beyond Calvary to the church today. Ample evidence of this position exists in the writings of the previously mentioned authors which are used as textbook authorities in many colleges and seminaries today.
Historical Note:
Abraham did not choose to tithe to Melchizedek because he was priest of the true Most High God. Instead, Abraham was obligated by long-standing Arab war custom to return a tithe of the spoils of war. Since there is no correlation between this tithing and that found in the Mosaic Law, the Mosaic Law never quotes Genesis 14 or even alludes to it in support of tithing. This is strange, indeed, since most modern tithe-advocates ignore the law as a foundation, go first to Melchizedek, and then turn back to Leviticus 27 and Malachi 3 to find money instead of food. They also preach tithing and Melchizedek from Genesis 14 instead of the more dangerous Melchizedek text of Hebrews 7.
The king of Sodom followed the old tradition when he asked for return of the persons taken from him. Evidently, Canaanite custom permitted Abraham to keep the goods and only return the persons. Therefore, as soon as Abraham offered a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek, the king of Sodom insisted that Abraham keep the balance of the goods, the ninety percent, for himself (vv. 20-21). Verse 21 simply must be included in any discussion of verse 20. (Should the Church Teach Tithing? A Theologian's Conclusions about a Taboo Doctrine Russell Earl Kelly, PHD)
Fourth, Abraham chose, or purpose in his heart to give a tenth to Malchizedek. The same type of giving that Paul talked about in 2 Corinth. 8 and 9.
Five, During that time in history, it was customary to give a tenth of your war spoils to those who assisted you in winning the war. This was Malchizedeks role and relationship to Abraham.
Melchizedek does not provide a legitimate pre-law foundation which can be used as an example of tithing for the New Covenant Christian. This conclusion is also held by many Christian denominations, it is noteworthy that this is also the original position of the Scofield Reference Bible, leading schools such as Dallas Theological Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, Wheaton College, and highly respected authors such as Craig Blomberg, Lewis Sperry Chafer, Walter Elwell, Theodore Epp, John MacArthur, Charles Ryrie, Charles Swindol, Merrill Unger and John Walvoord. These evangelical scholars contend that the historical Melchizedek was never used to validate tithing in the Mosaic Law under the Old Covenant and cannot be used to validate tithing in the New Testament after Calvary. It will be shown that there is no eternal principle found in Genesis 14 which can be brought forward beyond Calvary to the church today. Ample evidence of this position exists in the writings of the previously mentioned authors which are used as textbook authorities in many colleges and seminaries today.
Historical Note:
Abraham did not choose to tithe to Melchizedek because he was priest of the true Most High God. Instead, Abraham was obligated by long-standing Arab war custom to return a tithe of the spoils of war. Since there is no correlation between this tithing and that found in the Mosaic Law, the Mosaic Law never quotes Genesis 14 or even alludes to it in support of tithing. This is strange, indeed, since most modern tithe-advocates ignore the law as a foundation, go first to Melchizedek, and then turn back to Leviticus 27 and Malachi 3 to find money instead of food. They also preach tithing and Melchizedek from Genesis 14 instead of the more dangerous Melchizedek text of Hebrews 7.
The king of Sodom followed the old tradition when he asked for return of the persons taken from him. Evidently, Canaanite custom permitted Abraham to keep the goods and only return the persons. Therefore, as soon as Abraham offered a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek, the king of Sodom insisted that Abraham keep the balance of the goods, the ninety percent, for himself (vv. 20-21). Verse 21 simply must be included in any discussion of verse 20. (Should the Church Teach Tithing? A Theologian's Conclusions about a Taboo Doctrine Russell Earl Kelly, PHD)
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