From Sabbath to Sunday : A Historical Investigation of the Rise of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity [Paperback]

Samuele Bacchiocchi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2000

From Sabbath to Sunday is a translation and an adaptation of my Italian doctoral dissertation, originally presented at and published by the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1977.

The investigation establishes that the change from Saturday to Sunday began approximately one century after the death of Christ, as a result of an interplay of political, social, pagan and Christian factors. The change in the day of rest and worship was not merely a change of names or of numbers, but rather a change of meaning, authority and experience. Essentially it was a change from a Holy Day into a holiday.

From Sabbath to Sunday has the distinction of being the first book written by a non-Catholic ever to be published by a Pontifical press with the Catholic imprimatur (approval). The book has already been reprinted fourteen times in English and has been translated in several other languages. Hundreds of scholars of different persuasions have praised this book as a definitive treatment of the early history of the Lords Day. I received a gold medal from Pope Paul VI for earning the academic distinction of summa cum laude in my research and school work at the Pontifical Gregorian University, in Rome, Italy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...to show how and why Christians moved their day of worship from Saturday to Sunday..." -- Martin E. Marty, Ph. D., Prof. Church History, Chicago Divinity School, THE CHRISTIAN CENTURY

FROM SABBATH TO SUNDAY is a remarkable ecumenical portent. -- Marcus Ward, THE EXPOSITORY TIMES, England

FROM SABBATH TO SUNDAY is a thorough and painstaking piece of research... -- Bruce M. Metzger, Professor of New Testament, PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY JOURNAL

About the Author

My background is rather unique. I was born and brought up in Rome, Italy, a stone-throw from the Vatican wall. For my college education I went to England where he earned a B. A. degree in Theology at Newbold College. From England I came to America for my graduate studies and earned a M. A. and a B. D. degrees at Andrews University Theological Seminary. Upon completing my seminary training in 1964, I went with my wife, Anna, to Ethiopia where I served for five years as Bible and History teacher.

In 1969 I returned to my native city of Rome to study at the prestigious Pontifical Gregorian University, where I was the first non-Catholic to be admitted in over 450 years of its history. At the Gregoriana I spent the next five years working toward a Doctoratus in Church History. I was awarded a gold medal by Pope Paul VI for attaining the academic distinction of summa cum laude for my class-work and dissertation From Sabbath to Sunday.

After completing my doctorate in 1974, I was invited to teach at Andrews University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution located in Berrien Springs, Michigan. For the past 23 years I have served at Andrews University as Professor of Theology and Church History. To be able to pursue more fully my ministry of research into vital Biblical truths, for the past 26 years I have taught only only from January to May of each year. From June to December I am off-teaching so that I can dedicate myself fully to research timely Biblical truths. The result of this ministry has been the publication of 15 volumes which have helped thousands of people around the world to better understand and experience Biblical truths.

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: Biblical Perspectives (March 30, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 1930987005
• ISBN-13: 978-1930987005
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,007,553 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly and convincing, November 12, 2005

By 

Victoria Shephard "Newbirth" (San Francisco Bay Area, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Sabbath to Sunday : A Historical Investigation of the Rise of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity (Paperback)

When I began to question what day was the Sabbath, I visited a Sabbath keeping church. The pastor there lent me this book. I spent many long nights reading the book, including every footnote. Bacchiocchi spents a chapter apeice on each of the reasons he feels the early church moved from Saturday worship to Sunday worship - pagans and sun worship, anti-Judaism, the roll of the church in Rome vs. the church in Jerusalem, etc. He backs up his belief with quotes from the early church fathers and other early documents. He also talks about the three major Biblical texts used to bolster Sunday worship today, and gives other explanations for them.

By the time I finished the book I was convinced that the early Christian church moved to Sunday worship for less than Biblical reasons and that the change had more to do with expediency and politics than what God wanted.

This is a must read for everyone who has ever wondered why most churches worship on Sunday.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Could encourage credibility, November 30, 2003

By 

Darrell D. Neet (Keizer, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From Sabbath to Sunday : A Historical Investigation of the Rise of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity (Paperback)

The Christian community could gain tons of milage in the area of credibility if it would only take a serious look at the issue of the sabbath. We claim to believe in the authority of scripture then toss out all reasonable interpretation when it comes to the sabbath. We don't really have anything to lose, G-d won't be offended if we own up to the myths we have created about Sunday being something special. It's time for truth. You don't have to fall into seventh day adventism to appreciate the truth this author brings. Anyone with a heart for knowing the will of G-d should at least read this book...

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is worth reading, August 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: From Sabbath to Sunday : A Historical Investigation of the Rise of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity (Paperback)

I read this a few years ago and was impressed by the information gathered here. Those of you looking for truthful information on the early Christian Church and how changes were introduced- this is your book.