[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] In this series, we have been talking about dimensions of the day itself: Rest, Remembrance, and Relationship. But in this post and the next, I want to mention two, kind of, meta dimensions, that contribute to the day but are outside of the day. The first meta dimension is denial. It is not easy to observe a sabbath. It sounds easy. Rest, remembrance, and relationship, these are all things we love. But when you get to your … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Denial
Articles
Sabbath Dimensions – Relationship
[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] The final core dimension of a sabbath is relationship. Relationship does not mean simply having lunch with friends and family, though that is certainly a worthy expression of this dimension. Relationship refers to the communal nature of its observance. The Sabbath was to be for everyone. The Sabbath is something we do together. In Old Testament Israel, the Sabbath Day was not reserved for the wealthy or social elites. It was for … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Relationship
Sabbath Dimensions – Remembrance
[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] The second major dimension of observing a sabbath is remembrance. On a sabbath day, we remember the Lord. We remember what he has done. We remember that he has rescued and redeemed us. We remember that he is always working, that he is always watching over us. This dimension of the Sabbath becomes clear in its second iteration in Deuteronomy: [12] “‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Remembrance
Acts Resources
This fall our church will be studying the Book of Acts, and I thought it might be helpful to pass along some Acts resources we've utilized or found. For anyone who wants to further explore Acts, here are some additional resources. Podcasts The Bible Project Podcast: Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Help Me Teach the Bible: Acts. Commentaries ESV Study Bible. Always a good one-stop shop.Keener, C. S. (1994). The IVP Bible background commentary: New testament. IVP … [Read more...] about Acts Resources
How to Sort through Questions of Conscience
When Christians disagree about matters of conscience, how do we sort through those differences? I recently came across a helpful chart that distills 1 Corinthians 8-10 into a decision tree to guide you through an evaluation process. Hope you will find this useful... … [Read more...] about How to Sort through Questions of Conscience
Sabbath Dimensions – Rest
[This post is part of a series about observing a sabbath.] To observe a sabbath properly, you must rest. Rest is the core of sabbath keeping and its first dimension. Rest is what makes a sabbath day a sabbath day. This rest is not merely the rest of sleeping, though a good nap is certainly welcome on a sabbath. It is the rest of stopping. The Hebrew word (shabbat) behind "sabbath" means "to stop." We sometimes use the word "rest" in this way. We might say, "When he was done … [Read more...] about Sabbath Dimensions – Rest