Book Review: Tithing by Douglas Leblanc

Tithing by Douglas Leblanc

I have just finished Tithing: Test Me in This by Douglas Leblanc.  I selected this book for review for a few reasons, but primarily I expected a biblically based study on a biblical concept.  Reading the back cover when the book arrived, I found that the author’s vantage was not one of a theologian intending to teach or explain the biblical approach to tithing.  It was instead to report as a journalist the lives of a number of people who have put tithing into practice. Fair enough.  This could be a fantastic collection of testimonials pointing to God’s provision and blessing through our obedience.  That is not, however, what I found. To be fair, the book did have a slight bent in this direction, but overall I found it to be more a political showcase highlighting what the author finds to be the benefits of the ultra-liberal element of Christianity.  Many times it seemed Leblanc was more interested in reporting “progressive” Christian communal living than biblical tithing practices.  Combine that with what I found an unnecessary amount of text focused on female and homosexual clergy along with leftist politics and the reader finds himself wondering if this book is as much about tithing as it is the author’s political views.  While the book did have it’s strong points, as a clergyman myself I would not recommend this book to any seeking a biblical understanding of the practice of tithing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”