Observe the Sabbath?

[aggie03]

I would like to start a discussion with someone who believes that we must still observe the Sabbath. I will be taking the position that Christians are no longer bound to follow the Sabbath as outlined in the Old Testament.

If you are interested, please post in this invitiation or send me a PM. Thank you!

[tall73]

I don't know if I have time for a debate right now. But the topic is intriguing. And can you define a bit "as outlined in the OT?"

a. What sources are allowed? Bible and Early Church documents?

b. What format do you have in mind?

[aggie03]

I don't know if I have time for a debate right now. But the topic is intriguing. And can you define a bit "as outlined in the OT?"

I'm glad to hear about your interest!

The proper definition and various regulations and rules that are associated with the Sabbath are found in the Old Testament. I am interested in a discussion with regard to whether or not these regulations are binding upon the Christian today.

a. What sources are allowed? Bible and Early Church documents?

The Bible will be the only authoritative source for the discussion. While I believe that history is very helpful in understanding the Bible (I am a professional historian), we cannot do or believe something simply because people did so in the past.

Dictionaries and Lexicons are acceptable for defining words. I would prefer the Oxford English Dictionary be used when possible as it is the most accurate and most extensive dictionary available in English.

b. What format do you have in mind?

There are two formats that I have seen work well on here: a debate format and a discussion format. It really depends on how formal you want the discussion to be.

[Cliff2]

I would like to start a discussion with someone who believes that we must still observe the Sabbath. I will be taking the position that Christians are no longer bound to follow the Sabbath as outlined in the Old Testament.

If you are interested, please post in this invitiation or send me a PM. Thank you!

I would suggest that the first issue that needs to be established is that

"Has the Sabbath ever been done away with"?

Second to that

"Has an alternative day ever been Biblical and if so where do we find that in the Bible"?

[Cliff2]

I would like to start a discussion with someone who believes that we must still observe the Sabbath. I will be taking the position that Christians are no longer bound to follow the Sabbath as outlined in the Old Testament.

If you are interested, please post in this invitiation or send me a PM. Thank you!

Is there any reason you do not post this question in the "General Theology Forum"

If you did you would get far greater response that what you will get here as there are many more 7th day Sabbath keepers there.

[tall73]

Alright, let's define a bit more without getting into the debate itself.

First of all, I don't see the ponit to having the Oxford dictionary as a source. Would not theological dictionaries dealing with the original languages and biblical context be better, especially if we limited it to the Bible?

And to Cliff, I don't think he is really concerned about another day. The premise just deals with Sabbath. I assume from his Bible only approach, and the way he phrased it that he believes there are not longer any binding holy days.

[aggie03]

Alright, let's define a bit more without getting into the debate itself.

First of all, I don't see the ponit to having the Oxford dictionary as a source. Would not theological dictionaries dealing with the original languages and biblical context be better, especially if we limited it to the Bible?

Lexicons can help us define the words that are used in the original texts. The Oxford English Dictionary is for the words that we will be using. We must be able to agree on the different meanings for the words that we use, as well as the words that appear in the Scriptures.

[tall73]

Lexicons can help us define the words that are used in the original texts. The Oxford English Dictionary is for the words that we will be using. We must be able to agree on the different meanings for the words that we use, as well as the words that appear in the Scriptures.

Alright, first of all I don't think I have access to that particular dictionary. I am sure you are able to produce the text in full on a given entry if I need it?

[tall73]

I'm glad to hear about your interest!

The proper definition and various regulations and rules that are associated with the Sabbath are found in the Old Testament. I am interested in a discussion with regard to whether or not these regulations are binding upon the Christian today.

Does this include sacrificial requirements?


The Bible will be the only authoritative source for the discussion. While I believe that history is very helpful in understanding the Bible (I am a professional historian), we cannot do or believe something simply because people did so in the past.

A couple more clarifications. While the Bible is the only authoritative work do you deny that contemporary documents shed light on it?

B. Within the context of the biblical text itself do you then see observance of the Sabbath in the NT period as inconsequential to whether we are to keep it today? (I am trying to clarify what it is we are to prove).

[aggie03]

Does this include sacrificial requirements?

I guess it depends on the format that we choose for the discussion. If we choose to have a more formal discussion, you will be allowed to state exactly what you believe in your resolution. If we have an informal discussion, we can talk about whatever we choose to when it comes up in the conversation.

A couple more clarifications. While the Bible is the only authoritative work do you deny that contemporary documents shed light on it?

I suppose I would need to know what you mean by "shed light on" and which "contemporary documents" you were referring to.

B. Within the context of the biblical text itself do you then see observance of the Sabbath in the NT period as inconsequential to whether we are to keep it today? (I am trying to clarify what it is we are to prove).

This would definitely be something for us to talk about in the discussion, because I cannot give you a yes or no answer.

[Sunrunner]

I'm assuming this debate never got off the ground?