And so to bed...: A biblical view of sleep

by Adrian Reynolds

Sleep is part of our created humanity, a good gift from God to be treasured and enjoyed; an earthly picture of a spiritual reality. In this reflection on sleep, Reynolds reflects on what the Bible has to say about sleep and rest, and how that can impact not only your night but your life. He includes his suggestions for turning off and enjoying rest.

Genres: Christian Living, Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Health

93 pages, Paperback

First published May 20, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.


Adrian Reynolds is one of the leaders of Christchurch Harborough and also serves as Associate National Director for the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches in the UK. He previously served as Director of Ministry of the Proclamation Trust and associate minister at East London Tabernacle Baptist Church, London. He is married to Celia and has three adult daughters and two grandchildren.

Reviews

[Samuel James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This year I made a resolution to try to go to bed earlier. I felt convicted about my rest habits and how they affected my day's work and focus. Andy Naselli recommended this book and I'm glad I found his recommendation. This is such a neat little book. In one sitting the author offers a theology of sleep. Note that this book is not a true biblical theology, but rather than an application of what the Bible says about sleep to the Christian life. While there may not be as much deep biblical theology as you might want, the chapter on sleep as a reminder of our resurrection hope was well worth the price of the book alone. And the author is very clear headed about the challenges we all face in getting enough sleep. I think you'll be surprised by just how much the Bible says about our sleep.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the best book on the theology of sleep that I’ve ever read, and might be the best book on the theology of sleep ever written!

..this was also the only book on the theology of sleep that I’ve ever read, and might be the only book on the theology of sleep ever written.

[Alan Rennê · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente livro! E o primeiro que vi sobre o assunto!

Reynolds discute três aspectos do sono: 1. O sono é um aspecto da nossa humanidade criada; 2. O sono é um dom precioso de Deus que deve ser devidamente apreciado e desfrutado; e 3. O sono é uma imagem de uma realidade espiritual. Trabalhando a passagem de Mateus 8.23-27 o autor analise a afirmação de que Jesus estava dormindo pelo prisma de Cristo como o homem perfeito. Assim, Jesus foi aquele que apreciou de forma devida esse dom concedido por Deus. Outro detalhe trabalhado pelo autor éa afirmação de que dormir é uma bela expressão de nossa confiança na soberania de Deus. Assim, de acordo com ele, Jesus dormia tranquilamente enquanto a tempestade assolava o barco porque ele confiava em seu Pai. Outro destaque que gostaria de fazer é a respeito do ponto 3. De acordo com Reynolds, o sono é uma imagem da morte. Sempre que nos deitamos parta dormir temos a certeza e que acordaremos logo pela manhã. Da mesma forma, aqueles que estão em Cristo podem ter a convicção de que, após o sono da morte, sucederá um "acordar" glorioso, a ressurreição para a eternidade com o Senhor.

Recomendo fortemente!

[Rob Sumrall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the theological primer on sleep that you never knew you needed to read.

Reynolds’s brief work is biblically faithful, carefully caveated (he is no MD or sleep therapist), and eminently practical. I love how he approaches the subject of humans as being whole beings - physical and soulish. He clearly states his premise: “Sleep is part of our created humanity, a good gift from God to be treasured and enjoyed, and an earthly picture of a spiritual reality.” He defends his premise well for such a short book. I especially enjoyed the final chapter that offered practical application of his premise. An interesting and worthy read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

And So To Bed…is a quick and easy read and the only book I know of that presents a biblical view of sleep. It’s very short and very simple, and so my only criticism is that I wish it was longer and went deeper. However, this is a great introduction to the matter, and should be the go-to book for anyone looking for a quick read on a biblical perspective of sleep. I’d say this is a book every Christian should read, because we don’t really think about sleep; at least, not in spiritual terms. But it’s much more spiritual than we tend to realize, both in terms of the physical act and what the act ultimately points to.

Read the full review on my blog.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who knows me in my current season of life knows that I truly think sleep is a spiritual discipline. If you’ve never let yourself go an extended period of time with enough sleep every night, it seriously might change your whole life. Idk who said it but that quote “If you go against the grain of the universe you get splinters,” seriously works here. Get enough sleep.

This book probably won’t be what convinces you to start sleeping 8 hours a night, but it’s got some ok things. You can knock it out in an hour which is a nice bonus, too. Particularly the chapter on seeing nightly sleep as a sort of rehearsal for dying and being physically resurrected to life with Jesus was really interesting and makes me grateful for sleep.

[DeWayne Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on sleep. This book puts sleep in its proper place and helps the readers to understand the theology of sleep.

[Leandro Dutra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even so short, I really appreciated the effort of the author collecting the most important Scriptural texts on sleep. I hope it inspires future further efforts!

[Tyler Eason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, but helpful book on what the Bible has to say about sleep. We spend over 1/3 of our lives sleeping, so the the two hours it will take you to read this book is time well spent.

[Donald Owens II · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a Sunday nap, this book is short, but sound and refreshing. Certainly worth reading.

[Carl Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read on a Biblical topic I've not really thought much about.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable, and readable-in-one-sitting, introduction to the theology of sleep. Adrian Reynolds shows how sleep is "a good gift from God to be treasured and enjoyed" and also "an earthly picture of a spiritual reality." The penultimate chapter helpfully addresses a number of things that might keep us up at night, both physical and spiritual - and he includes a brief word for parents with young children, which is appreciated! The more recent (and longer) book by Geoff Robson does a better job of covering this ground, but this is very good for its length.

[Shawn Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, short book on a subject that we might not often think of from a biblical perspective. Sleep. I found it helpful, and practical. I arrived at this book from a footnote in another book I was reading (Reset by David Murray) and read it in two afternoons.

[Ben Kaiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a short, yet helpful read. To be noted, the main focus of this book is the spiritual realities and advice on sleep. There is touches of physical and emotional obstacles, but this is not where you should go for help with those things. A must read!

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful biblical principles for the sleep deprived. A worthy read.

[Annie Jeshrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, loaded and delightful book on ‘The Biblical view of Sleep’.
The author not just talks about sleep this side of eternity but the final sleep where we will meet the LORD.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clear and simple introduction to a biblical view of sleep.

Reynolds moves from sleep as part of our created humanity, to sleep as a gift from God, to sleep as a picture of a greater spiritual reality, and then finally to biblical remedies for sleeping well.

While I was already a great appreciater of sleep, I came away with a better understanding of how much sleep is a gift from God rather than just a necessary interruption to the more important things of life.

It also challenged my pride in thinking I can get by on less sleep than I really need or that sleeping less than others is some kind of badge of honour - which of course it isn't!

[Jon Hansel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read to understand sleep from a biblical perspective. Rather than seeing sleep as a debilitating curse that hinders our productivity and minimizes our fun the author helps us to see sleep as a good, gracious, and faith building gift from God. A good read for people like me who might be tempted to wear little sleep as a badge of honor.

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it in one sitting. It's a delightful little read, and incredibly accessible. I'd love to see a deeper treatment of the theme. But considering the fact that this book is the ONLY book I've found wholly committed to sleep from a theological perspective, it wins a 4/5 from me.

[Alan Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew God cared so much about sleep. This book brought out the importance of sleep and most importantly its place in light of eternity.

[Dagan Mayfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overall content, but it feels hastily written and the best content could have been contained in a pamphlet.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy Read- Some helpful insight on sleep and scripture and spirit.