The Sacred Tenth, Vol. 1 of 2: Or Studies in Tithe-Giving, Ancient and Modern (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Henry Lansdell

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0332892190 ISBN 13: 9780332892191

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

This book is an extensive study of ancient religious practices of tithe-paying?giving a portion of material goods to one's god?by the author. It begins with the premise that humans have long acknowledged a duty to provide a portion of their substance to the divine, and, throughout the ancient pagan and patriarchal world, that portion was frequently a tenth. The author examines various historical documents to support their research. For instance, evidence shows that in ancient Egypt, religious offerings included not only firstfruits but also permanent endowments, and that the king and people provided a tenth of war spoils. Moving beyond Egypt and into Babylonia and other Semitic cultures, the book highlights similar practices, with portions of the spoils taken in war and regular offerings from agricultural produce being given. The book also investigates practices in Greece, examining writings from mythology to lawgivers and philosophers, and showing a consistent theme of tithing. An examination of Roman practices and the writings of Aristotle, Cicero, and others further contributes to the analysis. The book concludes by summarizing the evidence, suggesting that not less than a tenth of income was designated for religious purposes, and discussing to whom and how tithes should be paid and administered. This book provides a deep dive into the historical and cultural context of religious tithing and makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of ancient religious practices and their influence on modern charitable giving.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0332892190
• ISBN 13: 9780332892191
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 440