Frank Chase, Jr

In Kleptomaniac: Who’s Really Robbing God Anyway?, Dr. Frank Chase Jr, Th.D. explores the concept of tithing down to its very roots. Using the bible and other references, he investigates whether tithing is a mandatory tax or a gift given out of free will, as well as alternative viewpoints for those who’d rather worship with their hearts than their paychecks.

Though it certainly has an interesting premise, Kleptomaniac is perhaps a bit too winding and drawn-out in many areas. Much of the first few dozen pages are comprised of redundant reiterations of what the book is about, which quickly becomes tedious and may not hold readers’ attention well. A more straightforward approach would benefit this book incredibly. Also, the narrative is a bit unbalanced; some passages read like a personal memoir about the author’s experiences, while others read like a purely factual, impersonal textbook. These aspects sometimes make it difficult to maintain interest in this book.

Nevertheless, Kleptomaniac certainly has an extremely intriguing concept. The investigation of tithing in the bible, history, and modern day is a unique and not-often-thought-of idea, which is explored quite eloquently here. Dr. Frank Chase Jr, Th.D. has incredible knowledge of the bible and a vast array of excellent sources to back up his points, which only adds to the validity of his writing. Whether readers agree with Dr. Chase’s views or not, it cannot be denied that he certainly provides something interesting to ponder in this book. Kleptomaniac: Who’s Really Robbing God Anyway? is a thoughtful, well-researched book that is equally respectful and revolutionary in its unique approach to an age-old, unspoken question—what is the purpose of tithing really?
Originally critiqued by a member of the Authors Talk About It team.… (mer)

The book is very insightful and informative about the history of tithing and giving in the Church. The book is a fascinating journey into the land, language and literature of the Israelite people and their tithing practices. The author meticulously examines tithe verses and brings to light their meaning using the Hebrew and Greek language. Even if one does not agree with his analysis, it would be difficult to dismiss what the author's findings reveal. If a person seeks to gain a real understanding and education about tithing and its original meaning, this book is a good place to begin your theological research journey. They say knowledge is power and this book certainly contains a lot of knowledge. Get a copy at http://www.fcpublishing.com/about_kleptomaniac.… (mer)