Church Father Tertullian On Tithing!

Who was Tertullian?

Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus, anglicised as Tertullian (c. 160–c. 225 AD), was a prolific early Christian author from Carthage in the Roman province of Africa (modern day Tunisia) He is the first Christian author to produce an extensive corpus of Latin Christian literature. He also was a notable early Christian apologist and a polemicist against heresy. Tertullian has been called "the father of Latin Christianity" and "the founder of Western theology." Though conservative, he did originate and advance new theology to the early Church. He is perhaps most famous for being the oldest extant Latin writer to use the term Trinity (Latin, trinitas), and giving the oldest extant formal exposition of a Trinitarian theology. Other Latin formulations that first appear in his work are "three Persons, one Substance" as the Latin "tres Personae, una Substantia" (itself from the Koine Greek "treis Hypostases, Homoousios"). He wrote his trinitarian formula after becoming a Montanist. However, unlike many Church fathers, he was never canonized by the Catholic Church, as several of his later teachings directly contradicted the actions and teachings of the apostles. His trinity formulation was considered heresy by the Church during his lifetime, however, it was later accepted as doctrine at the council of Nicea. He was born a member of the educated classes, and clearly gained a good education.

Tertullian was the first Christian writer to write in Latin 5, and was described three centuries later as writing 'first, and best, and incomparably', of all the writers to do so. (by the unknown author of 'Praedestinatus'). His writing is aggressive, sarcastic and brilliant, and at points very funny even after 2000 years. He was deeply conscious of his own failings, and had a burning desire for truth and integrity. He was described by Jerome as celebrated in all the churches as a speaker.

Tertullian's writings imply that he did not believe in tithing for New Testament Christians.

The Apology, Chapter XXXIX (39) http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/tertullian01.html

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf03.iv.iii.xxxix.html

 Though we have our treasure-chest, it is not made up of purchase-money, as of a religion that has its price. On the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small donation; but only if it be his pleasure, and only if he be able: for there is no compulsion; all is voluntary. These gifts are, as it were, piety's deposit fund. For they are not taken thence and spent on feasts, and drinking-bouts, and eating-houses, but to support and bury poor people, to supply the wants of boys and girls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons confined now to the house; such, too, as have suffered shipwreck; and if there happen to be any in the mines, or banished to the islands, or shut up in the prisons, for nothing but their fidelity to the cause of God's Church, they become the nurslings of their confession.

No mention about tithing!!!

One in mind and soul, they share their worldly goods with one another, having all things in common except their wives. 

The above statement clearly proves that early Christians did not tithe! What about Thomas Jefferson Powers, the author of "An Historical Study of the Tithe in the Christian Church to 1648" (Publisher, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1948), stating that Tertullian believed that tithing was “seemingly” the minimum?

Thomas Jefferson Powers provides no evidence for Tertullian ever saying this.In fact, Tertullian’s own statements above are inconsistent with a mandatory tithe.

Miscellaneous:In the "Notes on Tertullian" made by William Meyers, author of Vampires or Gods? (Covering Tertullian's Apology and De Spectaculis translated by T.R. Glover), the following statement occurs. "I am unwilling to review your rituals ... nor of the tithe of Hercules, of which you do not put one third on his altar." P. 74. It seems Tertullian did not even like to review the rituals that included tithe. More information on "the tithe of Hercules" http://www.academia.edu/241113/Hercules_and_the_triumphal_feast_for_the_Roman_people

by the first century B.C. it was customary for the generals celebrating a triumph to offer a tithe from their booty to the Hercules worshipped at the Ara Maxima, and to also offer a lavish banquet to the Roman people, a sort of pendant of the coenatriumphalis for senators held in the temple of Iuppiter OptimusMaximus.