Customer Reviews

Sabbath Time: Understanding and Practice for Contemporary Christians

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Edwards tackles the subject of sabbath in a logical order and manages to keep track of both the need for rest and the need to yield to a Higher Power's "transcendent command." The reading is a little chewy at the outset and it is entirely worth the effort. Don't skip around. For wading through an interesting--and long--treatment of sabbath history, the reader is rewarded with inspiring insights and loads of practical advice. If you write in the margins of books you will be scribbling furiously. Unlike other books on the sabbath, Edwards keeps God in the forefront while maintaining an apealing non-judgemental tone.

This book essentially argues for a recovery of a rhythm of Sabbath awareness, to enhance both contemplation (rest) and action (through ministry). It is an intentional living out of labor and love, of rest and work; and of achieving and escaping. Written in 5 parts, Edwards guides the reader through the historical contexts of Sabbath keeping (Part I); contemporary struggles with understanding of the Sabbath (Part II); Practical aspects of Sabbath Keeping (Part III); extending Sabbath keeping beyond the weekly observances into a life-style rhythm (Part IV); and concluding with a short exhortation toward linking living and loving (Part V).

One critique I have is Edwards's uncritical use of the phrase 'Christian Sabbath.' While he makes brief mentions of 'Sunday' as pagan, and Sabbath as Jewish, by putting them together, the phrase at best looks like a convenient transfer of calling Sunday a modern Sabbath for Christians, at worse, an oxymoron. Maybe it is better to call sabbath a sabbath, without needing to call it 'Christian.'

This gem deserves to be on the bookshelves of anyone interested in the Jewish Sabbath. Edwards has contributed a very readable book that does not sacrifice breadth of coverage. At the same time, the author is able to maintain credibility with a reasonable amount of scholastic references. Laypersons will find this book easy to read. The many practical ideas in the book makes it the single most valuable reason to buy this book.

conrade

Once again the Sabbath understanding has been relegated to any day of the week with no understanding regarding it's purpose. We burned the book.