The Taste of Sabbath: How to Delight in God's Rest

by Stuart Bryan

Sundays are feast days. But sometimes, that's awfully hard to remember. We often get too busy trying to keep track of all the things we're "not supposed to" do. Yet, as Stuart Bryan explains, this is not the emphasis of Scripture. The Lord's Day is a day of freedom, a day defined by thanksgiving--for God's grace, for the opportunities to share that grace with others, and for the hope we have in the glorious rest to come. A Taste of Sabbath is a short defense of Sabbath celebration, which includes practical suggestions as to how to better remember the rest which the Lord has given us.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Christianity, Audiobook, Cultural

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a long time, there has been a great need for a book that will clearly and briefly and winsomely explain Lord's Day celebration to a culture desperately in need of it. This is that book.

[Amy Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short book on the Sabbath. I really appreciate how he framed the difference between the Old Testament Sabbath and the Sabbath of the church. The rethinking the Sabbath as a feast day instead of a fast day was also excellent. I hope Sunday will be our children’s favorite day of the week. We will try to give them reason to think of it that way.

[Hattie Burchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to follow, strong, and Biblical defense of why would should practice the sabbath!

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-presented apologetic for moderate Sabbatarianism

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, straightforward, defense of observing the sabbath.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on the Sabbath this non-strict-Sabbatarian has read so far. Principles are sound, even if I wouldn't apply them in exactly the same way as Bryan.

[Mike E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bryan's thesis/position is:

"The Old Testament Sabbath is still binding but has undergone a transformation and been fulfilled in the Lord's Day, the Christian Sabbath."

He defends his thesis primarily from Isaiah (and Mark). I don't have time to detail out his arguments. Suffice it to say, I do not see his conclusions as necessarily following from Isaiah (or Mark). Nor do I think he reasons cogently. The reality is that Scripture does not provide the clarity on this issue to come to Bryan's conclusions. The observations he makes on the text are keen and helpful, however. The way that he lives out the Sabbath is beautiful-- and challenging me to continue to rethink what I do as a father and what I should teach as a pastor on this subject. Lord help me.

Most agree that the Sabbath did not originate with Mosaic Law, but was incorporated into it. Sabbath begins in Genesis 2 & Exodus 16. This important observation, however, does not require that the OT Sabbath is binding today. Bryan writes:

"The people of God begin to celebrate the New Creation and the New Exodus on the day in which that reality was introduced. The Sabbath is changed from Saturday to Sunday, the day on which Christ rose from the dead and rested from his labors over the evil one." (40)

As I see it, this sentence describes _a_ beautiful way to worship and feast on Sunday. It is not, however, clearly taught in Scripture. John Frame, in "The Doctrine of the Christian Life," implicitly acknowledges that this is not clearly taught in Scripture: "God, Jesus, and the apostles had warranted first-day worship, and, implicitly, a first-day Sabbath." (569)

My Bible-informed conscience will not allow me to preach the view defended in this book.

The Sabbath and 4th commandment are complex for the Christian. Bryan wants to avoid reductionism and legalism but I think he wades into it (see below). Competitive people can make backyard horseshoes or hoops into a win-or-die event. The solution is not to avoid league horseshoes/hoops, but to repent. Horseshoes and hoops, league or no league, can be done as worship or as idolatry, on any day of the week. Again, does the Bible clearly teach that we are to reserve the Lord's Day for fellowship only? Can a single/no-children believer joyfully play on a league team with a heart full of praise and a desire to win teammates to Christ?

"It is important to distinguish between recreation and organized sports. The former are a joy to the Lord (Zech 8:4-5). Part of feasting is sporting about, enjoying the day, throwing the frisbee, sledding down the hill, shooting hoops, throwing horseshoes, playing tennis. It seems to me, however, that organized or league sports are decidedly different. In the former case, the recreation serves as a means of enjoying fellowship and feasting with the people of God. The focus can still be the Lord and his day. In the latter case, however, the sport has become the focus itself. No longer is it the means to the end, it is the end itself. While we may still get to church, the sense of reserving this day for the Lord and his people is gone. For my family, therefore, sports that include scheduled Sunday practices or games are out." (101-02)
=============
See the more comprehensive, scholarly, & biblical work:
"From Sabbath to Lord's Day: A Biblical, Historical and Theological Investigation"

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart Bryan succeeds in calling the Sabbath a delight and in calling us to delight in the Sabbath.

Jolly Joffre Swait was the perfect narrator for this book and this was the perfect book for jolly Joffre Swait to narrate.

[Jim Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good summary of what the sabbath is and it is not. Recommend.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020: Excellent. Short, easy to read, but solid.
2012: A beautiful invitation to rest, worship, study God's Word, feast, fellowship, and do acts of mercy on the Lord's Day.

[Rachael Stoldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book about celebrating sabbath and what it means. Only 4 stars cause in some areas it was a bit dry and textbooky.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Do you know what day the author is talking about? Look it up, you'll be surprised.

The book is short, but saturated with the Bible and with practical examples.

[Jessica Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lord’s Day is a feast 🤍

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short little book on the Sabbath. Really enjoyed this gut punch of a book. We get the Sabbath wrong but not for the reasons we imagine and this book is a solid recalibration. Very needed. Recommended

[Dan Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a brief treatment of the Christian Lord's Day continuing and fulfilling the OT Sabbath, this is really beneficial. It is not comprehensive by any means, mainly focusing its argument on what Jesus has to say about the Sabbath in Mark's gospel and the Isaiah texts behind that. And while I don't necessarily agree on every detail of application, this is a truly good book to read for anyone looking for a wise, practical, biblically faithful and joyful (not overly polemic) Sabbath-Lord's Day discussion. I would recommend reading this along with some other, more full treatments of Christian theology of the Sabbath (such as found in John Frame's theological works - which Bryan also points to). The writing style is accessible to any adult or teen reader and is somewhat conversational in tone, coming as it does from a sermon series. Much obliged to Stuart for this little, unintimidating study.

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryan gets a whole lot done in 100 pages, weaving exegesis and application of a healthy view of the Lord's Day. This is the best succinct book I know of promoting a festive and generous culture that flows from right worship.

[Jerid Krulish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent, deep, abiding truth on the Sabbath. A clear depth of knowledge of the Scriptures is evident- this is NOT just a rehashing of proof texts; the author deals with Scripture's structure and implication. Highly recommended.

[Michelle Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great Biblical wisdom and insight into the Sabbath! I really enjoyed reading this as our family has been pondering and changing how we celebrate the Lord's Day. Lots of good, solid, Biblical information in the first three chapters, followed by encouraging and exciting advice in the last two chapters. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to delve deeper into what it means to set apart and celebrate the Lord's Day in a culture that has forgotten what an important commandment it is to keep the Sabbath. I feel like when we talk about trying to honor the Sabbath Biblically, we immediately tend to think of restrictions and what we can't do, forgetting that God made the Sabbath for man, and when we keep it, it is a blessing to us. I love that this book emphasizes how the Sabbath should be the day of the week we look forward to the most, that it is to be a feast and a celebration!

[Will Dole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I completely convinced by his exegetical case for the Sabbath command being in force for the Christian today? No.

Am I utterly convinced and compelled by the argument that that Sabbath is a gift from God that we reject at our own peril? Yep.

Bryan's book makes strong case (though ultimately unconvincing to me) for the former; he paints a beautiful picture and has practical advice concerning the latter. I highly recommend this book.

[Ben Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short. Concise. Helpful. But left me wanting more depth. For an intro on the Sabbath, keeping it, how it changed to the first day of the week, and how it is a creation ordinance, this book is great.

Now onto Richard Barcellos' book, "Getting the Garden Right" for more depth.

The modern day church needs a recovery of this creation ordinance.

[Emanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many good practical points, especially on the Sabbath as a feast. Treats the relevant passages in Isaiah and Mark well. Weaker on the Sabbath as creational (he even calls the Sabbath as a whole positive law, while maintaining that it is binding today). Overly critical towards classical reformed theology on the subject. Well worth reading and meditating on though.

[Caleb Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Though I doubt that this (brief) book alone would convince someone of the abiding force of the Fourth Commandment upon Christians, I admire Bryan's ability to write succinctly yet clearly and persuasively.

[Timothy Benefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, to-the-point, and thoughtful look at what the Sabbath means for Christians today. Though I don't agree with all the author's points, this answered a lot of questions I had and gave me a new perspective on what Sundays should be. Would recommend.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, concise and winsome.

[Robyn Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very quick read, but gave me a lot to chew on. I will need to read it multiple times, but it’s one of those that you’d want to read multiple times. Very helpful.

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short case for Christian Sabbath keeping.

[Min Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Excellent short treatment of the Lord’s day and the sabbath. Recommended read to all especially those who would like a primer on how to enjoy the Lord’s day.

[Ashley Bartee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, comprehensive discussion!

A great interactions with the most problematic objections to setting apart Sunday as a day of worship, and answering them with a call to make every Sunday a day of delight; one that even our children look forward to like they do Christmas.

[Timothy Dehne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great. This book is short, clear, and winsome.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refocusing. Generalized. Soothing. Wish it would have waded through some specific Sabbath hot topics a bit more.