Jonathan Kithcart’s “Pope Leo III, Charlemagne and the Tithe: The Code of Silence”— A Silence That Demands an Answer
by ReadersMagnet | July 29, 2026 | Literary Executive Review | 0 Comments
Jonathan Kithcart‘s Pope Leo III, Charlemagne and the Tithe: The Code of Silence begins with a question that sounds simple but carries enormous weight: Did the apostle Paul teach tithing to Gentile believers? Kithcart builds the entire book around that inquiry, returning to it whenever history, doctrine, or church practice threatens to move the discussion elsewhere.
Right from the start, the author signals an intention to confront controversial topics directly, rather than avoiding the complex questions that have long been ignored or set aside. In taking this approach, Kithcart encourages readers to engage in a thorough exploration of how Christian giving began, placing it within the framework of biblical teachings as well as the wider context of church history.
This book is far from academic detachment. Drawing on decades as a minister, Kithcart examines a teaching he feels has weighed Christians down with fear and guilt. He does not oppose supporting churches or ministries. Still, he contends that giving should be inspired by grace, willingness, love, and genuine conviction—not by a mandated percentage or fear of curses. This pastoral aim brings warmth to the book’s challenging message.
A Cover That Speaks Without Words
The cover effectively conveys the book’s central theme. A deep blue textured background sets a reflective atmosphere, while a silver figure on the right raises a finger to its lips—a universal gesture for silence. The sculptural, partially veiled figure also hints at authority, secrecy, concealment, and an institution guarding untold truths.
Tall, white title lettering occupies the left side of the cover, its elegant, slender font referencing the historical significance of names like Pope Leo III and Charlemagne. A smaller subtitle provides a subtle contrast, while the author’s name in the lower left maintains balance without taking attention away from the primary image.
The combination of blue and silver color pairing brings a sense of dignity and nuanced tension to the design. Rather than portraying a specific historical incident, the cover distills the book’s argument into a single, striking symbol—achieving a look that is modern, memorable, and true to the book’s purpose.
A Voice Shaped by Conviction
Kithcart’s writing is direct, conversational, and intensely personal, marked by purposeful repetition. He often addresses readers as fellow believers, urging them to pause, reflect, and examine the cited passages firsthand. While his repetition of the central question can feel insistent, it’s integral to the book’s identity—mirroring the frustration of seeking a clear scriptural answer and encountering only evasion.
Letters to ministers and replies from staff introduce a documentary dimension to the narrative. These exchanges show that “the code of silence” is much more than a dramatic phrase—it embodies years of unanswered correspondence, strained relationships, and disappointment.
This personal cost keeps the book from becoming a detached theological debate; instead, it reads as the testimony of someone convinced that speaking out has become a spiritual duty.
Where History Meets Church Practice
The book opens with Pope Leo III and Charlemagne, connecting Charlemagne’s coronation and rise to power with the eventual enforcement of tithes—a pivotal shift in church finance and secular authority. Kithcart then traces how these practices spread throughout Europe and became woven into American Christianity.
This historical perspective gives the book broader scope than a typical Bible study. Kithcart goes beyond mere verse interpretation, challenging readers to consider how customs become institutions, institutions become traditions, and traditions can ossify into unquestioned doctrines.
Though forthright in argument, his historical survey serves a clear goal: urging Christians to question inherited practices rather than accept them out of habit.
Reading Familiar Passages Again
A highlight of the book is its close look at Malachi 3:10. Kithcart distinguishes the various Old Testament tithes and discusses the roles of priests, Levites, storehouses, produce, festivals, and care for the poor. He then compares these practices to New Testament generosity.
His discussion of Acts is particularly notable. Early believers gave to meet genuine needs, not to fulfill a required percentage. Kithcart observes that some gave beyond a tithe, but their generosity was voluntary. He presents the story of Ananias and Sapphira as a caution against deceit, not a punishment for failing to tithe.
An Invitation to Examine and Give Freely
Pope Leo III, Charlemagne and the Tithe: The Code of Silence is best read with an open Bible and a readiness to question assumptions. Readers may not agree with every conclusion, but Kithcart presents a sincere and bold case for grace-based giving. He urges churches to value truth instead of convenience and believers to give from faith, not fear.
Order the book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or ReadersMagnet Bookstore, and join the discussion ready to read closely, reflect honestly, and consider whether silence remains acceptable in today’s church. Learn more about Kithcart at https://www.kithcartcodeofsilence.com/
