Reviews and Endorsements
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Narelle A
- I learned so much from this book about the incredible significance of why God gave the Sabbath and why it is still relevant now.
This book starts with considering the meaning of the Sabbath in creation, identifying it as a relational marker where God enters into the ongoing experience of human beings. I loved the observation in the book regarding the establishment of the Sabbath at creation giving "the reason why He refrains from further activity on the seventh day is that He has found the object of His love": humanity. It covers the underlying process that took place when Adam and Eve chose to question God's goodness, how the omission of mention of the Sabbath in the story of Abraham does not mean it's absence in that story, the significance of the Sabbath and freedom in the story of the exodus and why the 10 commandments were transcribed on stone at that point. It points out that the Sabbath "is not an institution which exists or ceases to exist with it's observance by man" and "the sanctity of the day is a fact whether man secures the benefit or not". It highlights Isaiah's message that "ultimately all flesh will embrace the privilege of the Sabbath" and that this is what had always been intended since creation. It covers the significance of Jesus healing on the Sabbath as God "being present and responding to present reality" and that "the Sabbath is the pledge of God's healing, restoring presence". The Sabbath in the New Testament letters is covered (including those verses that some find contentious / use to argue that the Sabbath is no longer relevant), as is the multifactorial process that underpinned the move from Sabbath to Sunday (this was very interesting and involved more angles than I'd previously realised). The chapter on the Sabbath in Revelation was so fascinating that I have now ordered this author's commentary on Revelation to work through next.
If you are unsure how "the Sabbath brings a message of togetherness instead of separation, permanence instead of transcience, God's presence instead of God's absence, freedom instead of subjugation, continuity instead of discontinuity, wholeness instead of disintegration, other-centredness instead of artibitrariness, and divine narrative more than divine imperitive", and why, for so many reasons it is still relevant today, then I highly recommend working your way through this book. There was more than one occasion, when I was thinking through what was written, that I was moved to tears. This is a book which doesn't just explain the Sabbath but explains so much of both the narrative of the Bible and of God's heart for humanity. It took me quite some time to work my way through it (it challenged my previous thinking so many times and it's an academic book), but it was so well worth it! Highly recommend!
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[Endorsement]
- "This book is a broad and serious treatment of the Sabbath, a central biblical theme. Instead of dealing with criticisms often leveled against the Sabbath, Sigve K. Tonstad effectively develops biblical and theological teachings of the Sabbath. In addition to dealing with themes readers expect, the author also explores themes usually not addressed. This book deserves a careful reading."- Nikolaus Satelmajer, Editor, Ministry, International Journal for Pastors
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[Endorsement]
- "Sigve Tonstad combines careful biblical theology with an insightful unfolding of history to reveal the story behind the story, well informed by a broad range of critical literature. All this is achieved with a literary finesse that makes it a delight to read despite the rigor of much of the theological discourse. Every pastor and theologian should read this book. It will transform the thinking on a matter of immense biblical significance." - Edwin Reynolds, Professor of New Testament and Greek, Southern Adventist University,
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[Endorsement]
- "Sigve Tonstad's wide-ranging study of biblical teaching about the Sabbath offers fresh, provocative readings of texts from across the entirety of the canon, while constantly engaging the best recent scholarship. The result is a luminous, deeply encouraging book that beckons readers to understand the seventh day as a celebration of God's gracious work of creation and God's faithful intent to restore and heal all that is broken." -Richard B. Hays, George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament, The Divinity School, Duke University,
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[Endorsement]
- "Usually I have trouble reading for a long period such massive tomes as this, but Tonstad's writing is so stimulating that I couldn't put the book down! Tonstad is a master of both biblical exegesis and historical scholarship. I heartily recommend this book to all who love God and the Sabbath Day and to all who yearn to grow in that love." -Marva J. Dawn, Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology, Regent College
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[Endorsement]
- "This will be a classic! Truly a magnum opus on the Sabbath, it is this generation's most complete and insightful work on the topic. Not only does it satisfy the academic theologian with its fresh perspectives, but it also creatively shares practical gems that will inspire a lay believer." -Lawrence T. Geraty, President Emeritus, La Sierra University
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Monique
- A few years ago, we were given the book, The Lost Meaning of the Seventh Day written by Sigve K. Tonstad, and I (Monique) began reading it. By the time I got through reading the second chapter, the beauty of God's gift of the Sabbath as revealed in Creation took my breath away. The love that God showed through stopping on the Seventh day of creation was and is immense. Through His action of inaction on this day, God showed us His commitment, His love and our worth through His entering into rest. It made me tear up and see God in a completely new way.
This book inspired us to write our song 'God is Love'.
-Eric & Monique