Customer Reviews

Call the Sabbath a Delight

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently heard someone say "I follow all 9 of the 10 commandments." It is true, isn't it, that we continue to regard each of the other 9 commandments as being integral to the Christian life, but have disregarded the fourth. A few years ago I read an article written by an unbeliever and published in a major newspaper where she questioned how Christians could simply disregard this commandment. Her conclusion was that it was mere disobedience - that Christians disregarded the commandment simply because following it would conflict with our lifestyles. Was she on to something, or did she merely misunderstand the relationship of the Old Testament to the New - a very common problem with believers and unbelievers alike?

Call The Sabbath A Delight is the first book I have read dedicated entirely to the subject of Sabbath observance in the post Old Testament era. I have read bits and pieces of information regarding why we should or should not continue to honor the fourth commandment, but never a book-length treatment. This particular book is written by a Presbyterian pastor and published by Banner of Truth which should give a pretty good indication of which side the author will take. He represents the view that I was raised with. I was raised in a Presbyterian home and attended Reformed schools and churches and was continually admonished to keep the Sabbath holy. I spent one year of my life in Scotland and there we were taught that we were not even to play with friends on Sunday, but were instead to read our Bibles and study our Catechisms. While the author, Walter Chandry, may not be that strict, he clearly believes that Christians have abandoned a practice which we need to rediscover out of obedience to God.

A common argument against observing the Sabbath in our time is that Christ did away with the moral Law when He died for us. Underlying this observation is a belief or assumption that the Sabbath was somehow a burdensome obligation for God's people, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The Sabbath was a creation ordinance, for even in a perfect world God rested on the seventh day and declared it as being set apart to Him. So when we examine this issue we need to do so free from a bias that the Sabbath was an obligation. On the contrary it was a wonderful privilege, given by a loving God. Any harm that befell the day was the fault of sinful humans who are adept at turning anything wonderful into something burdensome.

The author covers the following topics:

1. The Commandment is Holy
2. The Commandment is Spiritual
3. The Commandment is Good
4. Does the NT Teach the 4th Commandment?
5. Sabbath Observance: Mosaic and Christian
6. Motives for Sabbath-Keeping
7. Which Day of the Week in the Sabbath?
8. Difficult Cases of Conscience

I will leave you to read his arguments on your own if the topic interests you. His conclusion is that the Sabbath, as a creation ordinance, continues to this day so that God requires that we continue to honor it even today. "No age has ever more intensely needed Sabbath-keeping than ours. Attempts to scrap God's moral law and to replace it with institutions and schemes of human invention are miserably failing. Sabbath-keeping in isolation is not an answer to all man's ills. Yet, this law is intimately related to all others and has a necessary connection with the other branches of God's moral code. Where even small segments of mankind have succeeded in implementing a joyful observance of the Sabbath, they have reaped enormous benefit. It is time for us, too, to call the Sabbath a delight and to return unto the Lord."

While his arguments are compelling, I am not sure that they are strong enough to convict the evangelical who has never even considered that the Sabbath may extend to our day. His argument is valuable, though, for it represents the view held by many Presbyterian and Reformed believers. Their belief is one which many, if not the majority, of Christians held until recent times.

Walter Chantry is like a voice crying out in the desert. His message, while desperately needed, will likely fall on many deaf ears. We have become a people who without a thought or care regularly desecrate the Sabbath day of our Lord. Until very recently, I can't say I even attempted to honour the Lord's Day. I was taught, as many are today, that the 4th commandment has been done away with; and, that, in the name of Christian freedom. But at what price? Where has this so-called 'freedom' brought us? I don't doubt that the mistreatment of our Lord's Day is one important reason why revival continues to tarry.

May God convict His people. I pray this book will get into the hands of many, and that God Himself will open many hearts and minds to the joy and delight of obedience. Indeed, is that not what it means to be truly Christian? Sunday Sabbath-keeping is not a burden... except, perhaps, to those for whom heaven would be a burden. The Sabbath is a delight!

Call the Sabbath a Delight gives a better understanding of the 4th Commandment and the Lord's Day. It includes covering the commandment as holy, spiritual, and good; gives an idea of how the 4th Commandment is taught in the New Testament; and covers a few difficult cases of conscience. It's not a long read, but it's a good use of your time.

Walter Chantry does a great job at exlpaining where the Sabbath originated and why we need a Sabbath today. He continues to explain what is important for the sabbath. He tries to prove that God changed the Sabbath to Sunday with a very good argument. He still offers no Biblical proof that the Sabbath has been moved.
He states that church was held on Sunday because Paul preached and wanted an offering on the First day of the week. This first day of the week would be directly after Sabbath and actually would be Saturday night. It also in no way proves that acutal Sabbath keeping was occuring on these days.
He also states that John in Revelation had a vision on the Lord's Day. He assumed that the day was Sunday. Even if it was, It does not state that John was worshipping.
He finally goes into detail about Paul stating we need to keep a Sabbath. He goes on to explain that it is God's rest we are searching. That rest in the New Testament is when Jesus finished his work on earth. Since Jesus arose on Sunday, then it must be then that the work is finished and we should honor that day. I agree with Paul on the Christian Sabbath being kept, but he never stated a day. Besides, Jesus himself said it was finished(his work) when he died on the cross. He rested on the Sabbath and arose on Sunday morning to continue his work with his disciples.
He explains a beatuiful Sabbath, but still uses Human assumption to justify a day change in the Sabbath. Once again, God's word is everlasting.

This book was recommended to me by a friend.
God has truelly blessed me and changed my life thru this wonderful book