David,
You need to define your terms:

What do you mean when you reference our freedom under the New Covenant? You say that we are free under the New Covenant; however, this can mean different things to different people. You should provide some Scripture that defines the term, and then you should tell us what you think it means.

You should also show us what Scripture means when it says we are “no longer bound by the Law.”

Rather than giving us a post that gives us something to respond to, you have posed a question that first requires that we define what you are talking about.

In general, don’t wait for your readers to define your terms. Start out by explaining what you mean and present your conclusions. Keep in mind this is a blog, not a forum. You should try to post complete ideas where you attempt to explain and reveal your underlying premises and assumptions.

Finally, I say all of this because I think the key to answering your question lies in how we answer what it is that the New Covenant frees us from, and what Scripture means when it says we are no longer bound to the Law. However, since this is a blog, you should define this idea of freedom from bondage rather than forcing me to do this in the comments.

This is my question: If as Christians we no longer follow the precepts of the “obsolete” former covenant, why do we hold to some precepts that are not mentioned in the New Testament? For example: tithing.

Michael,

The reason I posted a question without giving my opinion is because I hoped it might give occasion for a comment other than: Can you you come up with any Scriptural evidence for your statement?

Ah ha! Your response in #2 is exactly what I was wondering if you were thinking when you wrote your original post.

In regards to tithing, I agree with you that I can find no Scriptural evidence that the Levitical tithe is carried over under the New Covenant. Therefore, with regards to churches which still invoke the Old Covenant instructions for tithing, I would argue that they are simply mistaken in their use of Scripture on this point.

So, I would answer your question by saying that we hold on to some OC precepts because we are mistaken. In the case of tithing, this might be due to greed, fear, or ignorance.

Under the New Covenant, we are instructed to give cheerfully and generously(2nd Cor. 9:7). In this context, I have heard sermons at our church which I believe draw appropriate principles from Old Testament passages regarding the various tithes prescribed under the Levitical laws.

In regards to your comment #3: Another way to avoid having your commenters ask you for Scriptural evidence is for you to post your opinion along with the Scripture that you believe supports it.

Michael,

Seeeeeeeeeeeeee. I knew that you would know. Well, at least I hoped so. Anyway, thanks for that insight. I guess, as you stated in your comment, that this could be for many reasons. But isn’t it a little strange? It is to me. Perhaps this is just one of those things that I seem to have an inclination to search out the root cause. Maybe I’ll give some more thought to it and post it on WFTT, that is unless someone else decides to show some interest in the topic. (Sorry, lame blog. I was just trying to get this train a runnin’!)
Wait a minute! It is running! How bout that?!