I've been working to prepare stories to support teaching the Ten
Commandments. However, one of them really puzzles me, "Remember the Sabbath
Day and Keep it Holy". Of course, most of us, today, celebrate the "Lord's
Day", Sunday, as the Christian Sabbath, usually applying some but not all of
the Mosaic restrictions. I ask, if you are willing, to email me directly
with answers to the following questions:
(1) Do you teach the Ten Commandments?
(2) How do you observe the Lord's Day?
I will wait a few days and try to tabulate the answers, following with a
general email. I will also try to avoid getting into intense doctrinal
issues. I'm simply looking for wisdom, here, not wishing to impose my
current views on anyone.
Here is more detail about why this commandment puzzles me:
There is very little unity in the Christian community about how this
commandment should be observed. Several years ago, using a book written by
J. Vernon McGee, I taught that, since strict observance of the commandment
was not taught in the New Testament, we were free from the Old Testament
restrictions. This is based on the philosophy that nothing applies to the
Christian, today, that is not mentioned in the New Testament. However,
recently I have come to question this philosophy. The other reason I taught
this is some of Paul's writings seemed to release us from Sabbath obligations.
However, I'm not sure that I was right, and this greatly concerns me. Right
now I'm working through a really thick "put me to sleep" book by Carson
called "From Sabbath to Lord's Day."
Many folks who are dispensationalists and New Covenant people, agree with the
idea of seeing all our obligations through the filter of the New Testament.
Other folks, especially people in the reformed community, see more continuity
between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
As far as I can tell, Tertullian was the first to try to distinguish between
Moral Law and Ceremonial Law, suggesting that all aspects of the moral code
continue, while Ceremonial Law no longer applies. Based on this, many would
say that we transfer to Sunday only the moral aspects of Sabbath observance.
As an individual, I'm comfortable with the restrictions that I've set for my
family for Lord's Day observance. However, when it comes to teaching, I
really want to make sure that I'm right. Any contributions of wisdom on this
issue would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Greg Wright
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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