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There Remains a Sabbath Rest for the People of God
There Remains a Sabbath Rest for the People of God: A Biblical, Theological, & Historical Defense of Sabbath Rest as a Creation Ordinance.
In this thorough defense of Sabbatarianism, Jon English Lee captures insights from the entire theological encyclopedia—from exegetical and biblical theology to systematic and historical theology. Lee anticipates and responds to thorny questions like these: Does the fourth commandment bind believers today? Why do we now celebrate the Sabbath on the first day of the week? And what did Paul mean in Colossians 2:16–17? May the Lord use this helpful treatise to renew your delight in the Sabbath as well as your enjoyment of the God who graciously gave it to us (Isa. 58:13–14).
Joel R. Beeke
Chancellor and Professor, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Jon English Lee’s fine work is both timely and a much-appreciated resource for those who want to know how the biblical concept and practice of rest developed over the course of several millennia. I encourage you to read this excellent book!
Gregg R. Allison
Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jon English Lee illuminates the question of the creation/moral law status of the Sabbath command and gives a masterful synthesis of biblical hermeneutics, historical theology, covenantal development, law/gospel interaction, typology, and the culmination of all this in the work of Christ. The book is highly recommended because it is a clear, fraternal discussion of an issue vital to biblical worship and knowledge of how Christ’s first and second coming consummate our freedom from the curse and fulfill Christ’s promise, “I will give you rest.”
Tom J. Nettles
Retired Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
In this thorough defense of Sabbatarianism, Jon English Lee captures insights from the entire theological encyclopedia—from exegetical and biblical theology to systematic and historical theology. Lee anticipates and responds to thorny questions like these: Does the fourth commandment bind believers today? Why do we now celebrate the Sabbath on the first day of the week? And what did Paul mean in Colossians 2:16–17? May the Lord use this helpful treatise to renew your delight in the Sabbath as well as your enjoyment of the God who graciously gave it to us (Isa. 58:13–14).
Joel R. Beeke
Chancellor and Professor, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Jon English Lee’s fine work is both timely and a much-appreciated resource for those who want to know how the biblical concept and practice of rest developed over the course of several millennia. I encourage you to read this excellent book!
Gregg R. Allison
Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jon English Lee illuminates the question of the creation/moral law status of the Sabbath command and gives a masterful synthesis of biblical hermeneutics, historical theology, covenantal development, law/gospel interaction, typology, and the culmination of all this in the work of Christ. The book is highly recommended because it is a clear, fraternal discussion of an issue vital to biblical worship and knowledge of how Christ’s first and second coming consummate our freedom from the curse and fulfill Christ’s promise, “I will give you rest.”
Tom J. Nettles
Retired Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
293 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 4, 2026
This work is an updated version of Lee's dissertation. Usually, I don't like updated dissertations, but I found this one very readable and helpful. Lee argues for observing the Sabbath on Sunday because of the resurrection of the Jesus and the practices of the early church. I found chapter 3 (Sabbath Rest in the Bible) and Chapter 7 (Personal Implications and Benefits of Sabbath Rest) most beneficial for framing my understanding and observance of the Sabbath. Lee's work is comprehensive without being too academic. It will benefit those who desire to gain a good understanding of how different people and denominations understand and approach the Sabbath.
June 22, 2024
The book’s strength is its practical section at the end – advice on how to rest. He also makes a strong argument for the transfer from seventh day to first day rest from the Old Testament expectation of an eighth day new creation.
However, Lee does not adequately address some of the most important issues with his position, especially in Paul and Hebrews. He also conflates rest and worship throughout, which he says is not necessary for his thesis but time and again proves to be an important part of his argument (that Sabbath means worship).
However, Lee does not adequately address some of the most important issues with his position, especially in Paul and Hebrews. He also conflates rest and worship throughout, which he says is not necessary for his thesis but time and again proves to be an important part of his argument (that Sabbath means worship).
June 18, 2024
Convincing case for Sabbath rest being a creation ordinance and what that means for Christians today. Lee addresses many of the practical questions I had, such as what this looks like for pastors, for those with little kids, and those who work essential jobs like doctors and nurses. He frames the Christian Sabbath as a means of the means of grace. Reading this made me wonder what blessings God might pour out on the church if we took the Christian Sabbath, or at least the pattern, more seriously, and also what affect that may have on the church's witness to a world that can't slow down.
It reads very much like a dissertation, which is fine since that's what it was!
It reads very much like a dissertation, which is fine since that's what it was!
January 20, 2026
A helpful defense of the Christian Sabbath. I still have some questions about practical applications of the doctrine but this book provides a good overview. It was a dissertation turned into a book, so some of the writing was still a little technical. It is available as an audiobook which will be helpful for many.
As an introduction to the topic the reformed confessions are good, and Guy Water’s “the sabbath rest and hope for the people of God” is very good and concise. I would read this after that.
As an introduction to the topic the reformed confessions are good, and Guy Water’s “the sabbath rest and hope for the people of God” is very good and concise. I would read this after that.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews