Dan Allender in his recent book entitled Sabbath has written a thought provoking and unique book on the day of rest we commonly call Sabbath. In the opening chapter, Allender notes the obstacles to enjoying the Sabbath as being primarily pride and fear. "We are driven because our work brings us power and pride that dulls our deeper desire for delight" (26). Part of his point is that our lives are in such an orderly motion that we that we don't know what to do with delight and joy when it slaps us in the face. Allender nexts goes on to explain that God rested on the seventh day from his creation work, not because of some weariness but to delight in his work (28-29). Just as an artist steps back to see the beauty of his art, so God looked upon his creation with delight.
Allender wants his readers to learn how to delight in the Sabbath, to delight in God, and in his creation. In doing this, he proposes four areas that are beneficial to understanding the Sabbath: sensual glory, rhythmic repetition, communal feasting, and just playfulness. Sensual glory is feasting in the glory that we behold in worship through awe and gratitude. The reponse of our worship is a kind of close dialogue with our Creator. Yet, Allender does not see this sensual glory as limited to the worship context, but also sees the beauty and glory in flying a kite, thinking of a scientific equation and playing in the yard (47). Next, rhythmic repetition is a mark in the sand that provides meaning for whole of life. Allender says it well, "Far more, it is the day that bridges two great events in time: creation by God and the re-creation of the new heavens and the new earth" (56). There is therefore a holy longing that creation years for things to be right with the earth, and yet creation is moving towards an end goal. Holy time is more like receiving a pass from a friend while playing football. We ruin the repetition of Sabbath if we cram too much in it.
Communual feasting is beholding the beauty of God in our minds, hearts, and vision. Allender points to the incarnation as the heighth of beauty. Although we cannot fully grasp it, Jesus becoming man yet still fully God in his coming to Earth causes us to respond with awe and wonder. As he goes on, Allender points out that the Sabbath should attune all our senses. We delight in the Lord's Supper as all our senses come to the foreground.
Lastly, Allender ends the four areas he discusses surrounding the Sabbath by talking about play. Play has a regenerative effect because it causes us to risk the deliberations about our structred life and be overcome with joy. Part of that play could involve being quiet in a time of reading, but part of that time could be learning to fly fish. I think what Allender is getting at is the sense of enjoying God's creation for the beauty that shines forth.
The rest of the book is worth the whole book for the chapter on Sabbath Justice. Allender talks about the goal of Christain action for justice in the midst of a broken world. To rest from the disastrous consequences of sin is not sabbath justice in any way, but to find ways to actively break the cycle of sin is part of the sabbath justice.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the review copy of this book.
Allender wants his readers to learn how to delight in the Sabbath, to delight in God, and in his creation. In doing this, he proposes four areas that are beneficial to understanding the Sabbath: sensual glory, rhythmic repetition, communal feasting, and just playfulness. Sensual glory is feasting in the glory that we behold in worship through awe and gratitude. The reponse of our worship is a kind of close dialogue with our Creator. Yet, Allender does not see this sensual glory as limited to the worship context, but also sees the beauty and glory in flying a kite, thinking of a scientific equation and playing in the yard (47). Next, rhythmic repetition is a mark in the sand that provides meaning for whole of life. Allender says it well, "Far more, it is the day that bridges two great events in time: creation by God and the re-creation of the new heavens and the new earth" (56). There is therefore a holy longing that creation years for things to be right with the earth, and yet creation is moving towards an end goal. Holy time is more like receiving a pass from a friend while playing football. We ruin the repetition of Sabbath if we cram too much in it.
Communual feasting is beholding the beauty of God in our minds, hearts, and vision. Allender points to the incarnation as the heighth of beauty. Although we cannot fully grasp it, Jesus becoming man yet still fully God in his coming to Earth causes us to respond with awe and wonder. As he goes on, Allender points out that the Sabbath should attune all our senses. We delight in the Lord's Supper as all our senses come to the foreground.
Lastly, Allender ends the four areas he discusses surrounding the Sabbath by talking about play. Play has a regenerative effect because it causes us to risk the deliberations about our structred life and be overcome with joy. Part of that play could involve being quiet in a time of reading, but part of that time could be learning to fly fish. I think what Allender is getting at is the sense of enjoying God's creation for the beauty that shines forth.
The rest of the book is worth the whole book for the chapter on Sabbath Justice. Allender talks about the goal of Christain action for justice in the midst of a broken world. To rest from the disastrous consequences of sin is not sabbath justice in any way, but to find ways to actively break the cycle of sin is part of the sabbath justice.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson for the review copy of this book.
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