Call the Sabbath a Delight

by Walter J. Chantry

Walter Chantry is an author who has consistently put his finger on the particular weaknesses and failures of the contemporary church. In his books we hear echoes of the prophetic insights and warnings which run through Scripture. Call the Sabbath a Delight is no exception. Its title indicates the burden of its message. This book is a very important book for all Christians to read.

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Christian, Law

122 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

About the author

Walter J. Chantry was born in 1938 at Norristown, Pennsylvania, raised in the Presbyterian Church; graduated B.A. in History from Dickinson College, Carlisle in 1960, and a B.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1963, from which time he has been pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Carlisle. He is married with three children.

Rev. Walter J. Chantry served as pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, Pa., for thirty-nine years. Following that he edited The Banner of Truth magazine for almost seven years.

Reviews

[Andy Huette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of this book were a 4, others a 2, but nothing that was really a 3. I either liked what he was saying or didn’t, not much middle ground.

I liked his perspective from a different era that, while at times sounded like the rants of a grumpy old man, was actually pretty challenging to contemporary Christianity, which tends to make the Sabbath an afterthought.

I didn’t really like his chapter in which he argued for the establishment of Sunday as the Christian Sabbath instead of Saturday. His reasoning was so-so and he seemed to be really passionate about it, when the other parts in the book about the purpose and practice of the Sabbath seemed way more significant.

In the end, I’m glad I came across this book (shout out to Amazon’s algorithms for recommending it!) because it showed me Isaiah 58 which talks about calling the Sabbath a delight, and I’m eager to do that more.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, biblical case that the Sabbath commandment applies to New Testament Christians, and that the day to be observed has been transferred to Sunday because of Jesus' resurrection. Chantry emphasizes the positive, showing that the Lord's Day frees your time so you can focus on spiritual things. He focuses on principles of Sabbath-keeping, deliberately avoiding specific do's and don'ts. The book is easy to follow, neither overly complicated nor overly simple. It's the best book I've read about the Lord's Day.

Chantry holds to the view of the Lord's Day expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Summary:

The Sabbath Day is to be kept in mind. It is to be devoted with joy to the worship and service of God. This day is special and is not to be cluttered with our work or with the employment of others, except so far as will serve in God's worship, in man's necessities, and in showing mercy to our fellow human beings.

The back of the book includes a "list of outstanding materials on the Sabbath" for further reading on the topic.

Notes
The Commandment is Holy
4 principles of 4th Commandment
1. Remember Sabbath day. Block out that time. Finish work before Sunday so it doesn't spill over into Sunday.
2. Keep it holy. The entire day is for sacred use, to worship and serve God. Ways: private Bible reading and prayer, corporate worship, teaching children Bible, visiting sick and poor, witnessing, fellowshipping with saints, singing praise.
3. No work. No normal labors (personal business, family business, school studies, work for occupation or community affairs). "The point of resting from our own work is to free up the time to worship and serve God energetically."
4. Don't employ others to work for you. Moral law requires all humans to keep Lord's Day, and we must not divert them.

One day in seven is to be kept in mind and set aside, its time being devoted to sacred things - the worship and service of the true and living God. Normal business and recreation are not to take up our hours on this day, nor are we to employ others to labour for us.

Sabbath ordinance is part of creation and thus applicable to all people in all times.

In NT times we don't need to keep the ceremonial and judicial regulations unique to Judaism, but we are still bound by the moral law.

4th Commandment isn't discarded after Christ. It doesn't explicitly point to Christ or future fulfillment. It explicitly points back to God's past creative work and rest.

The Commandment is Spiritual
If you disallow children from something enjoyable on Sunday, replace it with "a Sabbath activity that fills their time and delights their hearts." E.g., read Bible stories, play Bible memory games, go for walks showing parables from creation, sing, do catechism work, visit elderly to read Bible and sing.

The Commandment is Good
In Matt 12:1-4, Jesus wasn't doing away with Sabbath but correcting Pharisees' corrupt views.

3 types of work appropriate on Sabbath (Matt 12)
1. Works of piety: worshipping and serving God (Matt 12:5); John 5:17)
2. Works of necessity: meeting ordinary needs so you're not distracted from worship (eating, sleeping, hygiene) (Matt 12:2-4)
3. Works of mercy: showing kindness to suffering people (Matt 12:12)

Does the New Testament Teach the Fourth Commandment?
NT teaches continuing moral requirement of 4th Commandment (Matt 12:1-4; Mark 2:23 - 3:6; Luke 6:1-11; 13:10-17; 14:1-6; John 5:1-18; 7:20-24; Heb 4:7-10).

It's unsound to say we may dismiss any OT teaching that's not repeated in NT. That would rule out much of OT, including much of Psalms and Proverbs.

To say Christians can dismiss teachings given to Jews would rule out Genesis through Revelation.

Sabbath Observance: Mosaic and Christian
OT and Jesus used same moral law, but applied it differently. OT defined severe civil punishment for external disobedience. Jesus focused on heart motives and reminded of God's judgment, but didn't stipulate civil punishment for Sabbath-breaking.

OT judicial and civil laws were to train immature church (Jews). For mature NT church, those laws fall away, leaving only moral law (Gal 3:23, 25).

Which Day of the Week is the Sabbath?
Pattern of meeting on 1st day of week set by Jesus' resurrection, His early appearances to saints (John 20:19, 26), Pentecost.

After Jesus' resurrection, NT believers worshipped on 1st day of week (1 Cor 16:1-4; Acts 20:6-7; Rev 1:10).

Heb 4:3 teaches that those who believe gospel are entering God's rest which existed from Creation Week.

Heb 4:9-10 should be translated, "There remains, then, a keeping of a Sabbath for the people of God; for he who did enter his rest did rest from all his works, even as God did from his."

Word translated "rest" in Heb 4:9 is different than word translated rest elsewhere in Heb 3 and 4. In 4:9 it refers to Sabbath-keeping, Sabbath observance, Sabbath Day, to be kept by God's people.

Heb 4:10 refers to Christ, who ceased His work of redemption like God ceased His work of creation. Christ's ceasing was on 1st day of week (His resurrection), as God's ceasing was on 7th day.

Difficult Cases of Conscience
Texts Which Seem to Deny that there is a Christian Sabbath
• Rom 14:5-6; Gal 4:9-11; Col 2:16-17 refer to days of Jewish worship. These texts describe ceremonial and judicial laws of Moses.
• Weekly Sabbath is part of 10 Commandments, which is moral, not judicial or ceremonial, and 10 Commandments are upheld as Christian standard of morality in NT (Matt 5:17-48; Rom 13:8-10; Jas 2:10-11).
• Weekly Sabbath is creation ordinance like marriage (Gen 2:1-3; Mark 2:27-28; Heb 4:3-4), not temporary ceremony as these texts describe.
• These verses refer to ceremonies such as those described in Lev 23 (Passover, Firstfruits/Pentecost, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles).

Whether an activity is proper on the Sabbath depends more on our motive than on outward act itself.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve heard it said that the Puritans used to refer to the Lord’s Day, or the Sabbath, as “market day for the soul.” When God gave us the fourth commandment, it was for our good. It’s a day for our bodies to rest from the weary, tedious labors of the week. But more importantly, it’s a day on which we can focus without distraction on the things of God and communing with him, refreshing our souls and renewing our spirit for another week. It’s a day to restock our spiritual pantry so we can face what lies ahead, freshly equipped with the provisions that the Lord makes available.

One of the most insulting things you can say to someone is, “I have no time for you.” A book like Call the Sabbath a Delight is needed because, in case you haven’t noticed, our culture has crowded God out of its busy schedule. People have become so caught up in the “frantic pursuit of pleasure and wealth” that there’s simply no place or purpose in their week for church attendance. Our society has become one with little tolerance for rules and regulations, and certainly little to no regard or respect for God’s moral law. In many churches, the focus on preaching and worship has been supplanted by entertainment and social programs. The law of God is avoided as a sermon topic in fear of sounding judgmental and alienating people or making them uncomfortable.

God gave His moral law because it is right and it reveals to us His will and standard for living. For this reason, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) are still relevant. Most people have no trouble acknowledging the validity and worth of the last six, which address men’s dealings with each other. How is it then that the first four, which describe how we are to properly love and honor God, are so little understood, and are no longer valued or taken seriously? In fact, I agree with Pastor Chantry’s statement that in order to be a truly moral person, the first and foremost principle one needs to uphold and live by is to love God. Chantry summarizes the first four commandments in this way:

"The first commandment shows that love to our God requires our exclusive worship of him and service to him. The second prescribes the manner in which love will worship and serve the Lord. The third specifies the attitude of reverence which love will bring to God’s worship and service. The fourth stipulates what time is required to express our love to him."

Is it too much for the God who created us to ask that we worship only Him, give him the honor and reverence he is due, and set aside a designated time for Him? Chantry writes,

“The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” It is his day. He has staked out a claim upon it…He who is King over all the earth has, by his sovereign right, made the day holy. He devoted one day in each seven to his worship and service. He who is eternal divided our time and legislated that we give him a day of worship each week."

Apparently God knew this fourth commandment would be neglected and forgotten, for notice that he specifically said, “Remember the Sabbath.” Pastor Chantry observes four principles that can be derived from the fourth commandment, followed by three incentives or blessings that accompany keeping the Sabbath. The four principles are:

1. Remember the Sabbath Day – A conscious effort and deliberate planning must be made to develop and maintain this as a regular habit. Also note that God intended us to set aside the entire day, not just a couple of hours on Sunday morning.
2. Keep it holy – It is one day to set aside our normal routine and activities that we engage in during the other six days and to devote it to the worship and service of God.
3. You shall do no work – This doesn’t mean to be idle and inactive all day, but that normal labors must not intrude into the time of the Sabbath Day. “The point of resting from our own work is to free up the time to worship and serve God energetically.”
4. You shall not employ or require others to work – The moral law of God applies to everyone, not just Christians, so we should be careful not to be the cause of someone else’s disregard of it. Whether they know it or care, or not, others should also honor the Lord’s Day. Chantry observes, “We must not divert them from the worship and service of the Lord or tempt them to desecrate the day which is holy.”

Chantry next goes to another passage which talks of the Sabbath: Isaiah 58:13-14. In this passage, Chantry identifies three blessings or incentives that are promised “if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s Day honorable.”

1. “You will find joy in the Lord” – Chantry makes this observation:
"Familiarity comes only by giving time to a relationship…Joy from an association fades if contact and sharing become only occasional. Each week a day is to be spent with the Lord. Such nearness to him and commitment to him produce joy in him."
2. “I will cause you to ride on the heights.” – When we use the Lord’s Day as he has commanded, we will be strengthened spiritually so we can go through our life victoriously and rise above the challenges, temptations, and sin that we are faced with in the world. Success in any area requires time and effort, and so it is with our spiritual life. The Sabbath is training day, as well as market day, for our souls!
3. “I will cause you to feast on the inheritance of Jacob.” – Jesus said, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” One of the means He uses to fill our hungry souls is by the preaching of the Word. Being in the house of God on the Lord’s Day is an opportunity to be fed.

Pastor Chantry reminds us that we are to view the Lord’s Day as “honorable,” special (like a birthday or holiday), sacred, noble, better than the rest. It’s a day we should value and look forward to as it approaches, not because it’s an extra day to do what I please, but because it’s a day I get to spend with the Lord, in his house, with his people, serving him. Chantry offers some practical suggestions to families with children for teaching them to honor the Lords’ Day. Parents should demonstrate to their children that Sunday is a great day because we get to meet with God’s people to worship, learn and talk about him! Ideas are given for activities that families can do to make profitable and appropriate use of the day without it being a drudgery and unreasonable for children.

People seem to go to one extreme or the other when it comes to the Sabbath. Either they legalistically impose all kinds of rules and restrictions with a checklist for observing the Sabbath, or they observe Jesus’ actions and say, “See, he didn’t think the fourth commandment was valid and disregarded it, showing we are no longer required to keep it.” On several occasions in the Gospels, we see the Pharisees criticizing Jesus for dishonoring the Sabbath Day. However we know that Jesus always kept the law perfectly. It wasn’t the Law of God that he broke, but their man-made rules. They misunderstood the meaning and application of the fourth commandment just as many do today. Jesus was always more concerned with the heart, and in these cases he was exposing the proud, hypocritical attitude of the Pharisees; but he never dishonored the Sabbath day.

Some people propose that honoring the Sabbath was a law given to the Jews only and is an Old Testament practice that is not applicable to Christians. Chantry provides an explanation of the difference between the Mosaic Sabbath and the Christian Sabbath, pointing out that the principle of a Sabbath rest did not originate with the Ten Commandments but rather goes back to the first week of Creation. To say that the necessity of keeping the Sabbath is not found in the New Testament is not supportable. Jesus’ teachings about the Sabbath is found in several places and in every Gospel. From Matthew 12, Chantry points out the three types of work that Jesus taught are acceptable on the Sabbath. Traditionally these are classified as:

1. Works of piety – activities that revolve around and focus on the worship and service of God.
2. Works of necessity – activities that attend to ordinary human needs.
3. Works of mercy – activities that help to relieve the suffering of others.

Some situations are pretty clear, but many others may be debatable (in which case we would do well to err on the side of generosity). We must allow others to be led according to their conscience, for we cannot judge the motives and attitudes of others.

Using the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), Chantry illustrates that there is a right motive and wrong motive for obeying the moral law of God, including honoring the Sabbath. Thinking that by keeping God’s commandments and doing good works, we will earn God’s favor, can easily turn into an attitude of entitlement in which, like the older brother in the parable, we start to feel that we are more deserving of God’s love and blessing, and that God owes us something for our obedience and faithfulness. This is legalistic obedience. Chantry observes, “Saddest of all God’s creatures in the world is the religious person who has disciplined himself to outward obedience but who has no inward love to God.” Far better is the attitude of the true child of God who, in humility and out of love and gratitude for all he has done for him, is eager to do all the Father’s will and obeys with a heart that says, “I am an unprofitable servant. I have only done what it was my duty to do” (Luke 17:10). This is what Chantry refers to as evangelical obedience.

The last two chapters of the book are given to a discussion of which day is to be considered and set aside as the Christian Sabbath, and matters of conscience with regard to Sabbath behavior and activity. Chantry comments that it wasn’t the Lord’s desire, nor the New Testament writers or his, to provide a checklist of do’s and don’t’s for people to follow. The important thing is the heart attitude about what we choose to do and why.

[Jacob London · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. A clear definition of Reformed Sabbatarianism. I will likely make this book the resource I recommend to those who are studying the issue.

[Becca Korvemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written with clear language, this short book is helpful and thought provoking. It's also written in a very positive, happy voice which made it a joy to read.

[Ariana Seary · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a plethora of hurdles when one studies to observe the Sabbath. It is in fact so complex there is a host of difficult decisions to be made in practical application of the principles for Sabbath observance.
This book was gifted to me by a dear friend and has inspired me to take into account the seriousness of God’s commandments and the delight I should have in entering God’s rest one day a week, pausing from my own work. Overall, I found an invigorating motivation to start my journey on becoming more of a Sabbatarian and encourage others to follow—how ever that may look for them. And yet, simultaneously, this book has left me unsure of where to plant my feet fully on portions of this topic. So many well-rounded, sound and educated Christians who came before me had various views (like John Calvin for example was no Sabbatarian. He did not believe the fourth commandment was binding on Christian believers). It opened a can of worms for me, leaving me with so many questions I’ll have to ask my pastor about. I plan to study more in depth the Law (ceremonial, judicial and moral) and the Sabbath specifically with my husband.
I’d still give this book a 4/5 because the author does a great job giving a thorough and exhaustive list of every question one might ask regarding the Sabbath. This book helps give you guardrails when pointing out the heresies and contradicting ideas that a believer may fall into. The author brings to your attention the lack of church participation in our world where professing Christian’s neglect the body of Christ and starve themselves of God’s good gifts: the Word, His people and corporate prayer/worship. As he states: “Sadly while Christians are abandoning God’s call to attend holy assemblies with himself, spiritually starved materialist, who cannot live with their meaningless ‘freedom’ from the law are turning to cults and to Eastern mysticism.”
The book is a great starting point when studying this topic in depth. However, it surely doesn’t exhaust every detail to the questions at hand, which is where I was left with some uncertainty. What I am certain about however, is the Christian, by the Spirit, desires to serve his Master well. And this book will stir you up! I pray and hope God continues to pour out His mercy on His people who delight in the imperishable hope in Christ Jesus, and desire to enter “rest” with Him forever.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a powerful, concise, and readable introduction to the Christian Sabbath. Chantry is good on Sabbath as a creation ordinance. His treatment of Hebrews 3-4 is particularly helpful. He's tough on dispensationalism, but that's good.

In his helpful chapter, 'Which day of the week is the Sabbath?', Chantry misses an connecting point that the NT gives us to recognize the day change of the Sabbath. He succinctly and ably demonstrates the regular 1st-day meetings beginning with Jesus' resurrection and continuing throughout the NT. But he didn't connect the NT day of convocation (1st day of the week) to the OT day of convocation on the 7th day (Lev. 23:3). The weekly convocation, the gathering together of the faithful to worship, is integral to the Sabbath. Thus, the apostolic practice of weekly convocation on the first day of the week implies the Sabbath day change.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful concise overview of the Lord's Day. It has a lot of beneficial material on how to observe the Lord's Day not as a list of what you can and cannot do, but as a day to find your delight and joy in God. Chantry also responds to false legalistic views of the Lord's Day, and responds to Dispensational and some Theonomist views on the law of God as it pertains to the abiding validity of the moral law for Christians. Even though this book isn't an exhaustive reference on the Sabbath, it provides a good balance of doctrine and practical theology.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a straightforward and short treatment of the Lord's Day, this is a great place to start. I was pleased with the topics covered: the biblical history, historic practice, motivation, joy. It's not an exhortation to long-faced, rule-checking, checklist-keeping Sabbaths. Rather, it is an encouragement to consider the merciful goodness of our God in instructing us to set aside time to consider Him and devote to His worship.

[Benjamin Glaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to the doctrine of the Christian Sabbath and would recommend it as such to a new believer or someone who is new to the abiding validity of the 4th Commandment. The only drawback to the work is that Chantry has some strange things to say about the law in general, though it does not draw away from his main point.

Highly Recommend.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and simple book on the Sabbatarian view.

Introduction
Chandry begins with a strong introduction. He describes the moral decline and depravity of the current world, placing the root of the problem in the profaning of the Sabbath commandment.

1. The commandment is holy
Chandry outlines the 4th command as being one of the Ten Commandments, emphasizing that it is about the time of worship. He then lists two positive and two negative aspects of it.
Remember: it is to be kept in mind as an obligation
Holy: it is to be kept holy
Work: on it you shall not do any work
Not to employ others to work

2. The commandment is Spiritual
Chantry uses Isaiah 58:13-14 as his basis with the idea that the law is spiritual, in particular the moral laws which reflect the righteousness of God. He presents the promises associated with it emphasizing the importance of ordering the attitude of the Christian. The Sabbath is a delight and joy and the Christian should look forward to it. It is both a special day and a higher day. It is communion with the triune God especially in the public worship.

3. The commandment is good
This is the chapter I found most helpful (so far). Chantry examines the Pharisees’ attitude to the Sabbath as recorded in the gospels. He states that “Our Lord Jesus, in renouncing their standards, was not saying that the fourth commandment had become obsolete and must now be discarded” (p45). The Pharisees had misunderstood the Sabbath commandment, “their belief that a day of rest was for the purpose of the fullest possible inactivity and non-exertion” (p46). He then outlines the three types of activity Jesus advocated and defended that for the Sabbath: works of piety, works of necessity, and works of mercy, in contrast to the Pharisaical view.

4. Does the New Testament teach the fourth commandment?
Chantry states that the gospels are replete with Jesus’ teaching about the Sabbath day, in particular its continuance and perpetuity. For it was made for all mankind from creation, before the Jews. It is a moral issue. The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.

5. Sabbath Observance: Mosaic and Christian
Chantry begins by observing the Old Testament punishment for breaking the Sabbath, in Moses and Nehemiah. He argues that neither a return to their judicial system nor the abolishment of the moral law is an appropriate response. He outlines the use of the law as a moral guide defining righteousness but contrasts the Old Testament times under Moses and the New Testament times under Christ. Though the moral laws are identical, the punishments are not. To do this, he considers Galatians 3, helpfully mentioning two differences: the fullness of the Spirit, and the fullness of revelation. This explains the differences but not the conclusion of abolishment.

6. Motives for Sabbath keeping
Chantry uses the parable of the prodigal son to describe three different types of obedience: “disobedient evil works of the unreligious, the obedient good works of the converted sinner, and the externally obedient good works of the self-righteous. He contrasts legal obedience and evangelical obedience, warning of the danger of overcorrection leading to legalism. Thus, he encourages the believer to obey out of gratitude and kindness to God as opposed to expecting to earn merit or favour.

7. Which Day of the Week is the Sabbath?
Chantry tackles the issue of the change of day of the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first. He first brings the examples in Scripture to show the apostolic example of Christian’s meeting regularly on the Lord’s Day. (Moral commandment.) Then, he tackles the change of the day by using the passage in Hebrews 3-4. His exegetical treatment of this passage is convincing, by showing that 4:10 is referring to Jesus, and thus Jesus’ accomplishing his work of redemption by his death and resurrection is sufficient reason to change the day.

8. Difficult Cases of Conscience
Chantry outlines three difficulties: texts which seem to deny that there is a Christian Sabbath,the fact that continental reformers didn’t seem to keep the Sabbath, and what is proper Sabbath behaviour.
He ends with a gentle note, warning against making the Sabbath a list of do’s and don’ts, while encouraging each Christian to seek God’s face with discernment.

[Mevin Gorayah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderfully written, the author articulates very well his points and the opposing views in regards of the Fourth Commandment. It is written is very pastoral way. I helped clarify my view and position in regards of the Sabbath ( The New Covenant Sabbath ). I was absorbed from chapter to chapter. This book could have been more theologically extensive and dense but it was not the aim of the author, as I mentioned above, it has a pastoral inclination and meant to be easily understood by reader. He did all this while digging from Scripture and exposing soundly the teachings in regards of the Sabbath.
A book to be read by both non-sabbatarians and sabbatarians as Pastor Chantry did much effort to well articulate the various views, logic, defense, accusations and even some difficult passages.
I have been blessed by the grandeur and meaningfulness of God's gift of Sabbath to us. On every level, may it be for sanctification, for holiness, for worship , for rest, for practical christianity, for family, for evangelism, etc.
One thing is sure, the Father of lies took and will continue to take much effort is preventing, distorting, fogging, twisting and handicaping the Christians of any particularly precious gift from God. Never has there been so much discord and disagreement and debates about such a simple command.

Read it! Whichever predisposition you come from, as regard to the subject, read it! And share it.

Soli deo gloria

[Melanie Mansfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read from someone on social media that this book convinced them of the requirement to keep the Sabbath Day observance (though on Sunday). Previously, he had been in the “Jesus is our Sabbath-Rest” camp, which is where I fall.

I’m… still there.

Almost every argument he made in favor of maintaining an actual weekly observance was more easily understood in light of rest in Jesus. In fact, by the end, the mental gymnastics to see what he was saying was absurd. There was no need for it.

I’m happy to rest in Jesus’s finished work all week — to honor and delight in His completed work “Today” instead of on a single day in every seven. I believe the Lord’s Day is intended for the communion of Saints, for the equipping of the Body, and the encouragement of our identity in Christ, which then helps us continue to rest in Him until we meet together again;

I don’t believe Sunday is the new Sabbath, meant to replace what was instituted at Creation. Rather, the sixth day that was set apart and consecrated as holy was a foreshadow of man’s invitation to complete rest in Jesus. It wasn’t simply a rest from labor, but a day for those who participated to be sanctified… to be made holy. And this is ultimately found only in the rest that’s offered in Christ. What was once found only partially given through a Sabbath Day observance is now fully realized Today (every day) in Jesus.

[Cliff Dailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came into reading this book wanting to know answers to these questions: Living in the new covenant of Christ, who has fulfilled the law, how am I to treat the Sabbath Day (4th commandment and historically revered in the Church)? What does it mean for Jesus to be Lord of the Sabbath? How do I know I am obeying the Sabbath? What does the corporate gathering of Christians on a Sunday have to do with the Sabbath?

Chantry answers a few of these questions, but from his own Sabbatarian lens. I wasn't much engaged in this book, mainly due to an interest in "The Lord's Day" by Sam Waldron. Chantry does an excellent job pointing his readers to the Holy Scriptures at all times. He explicitly encourages his readers to be studying this topic in their own Bibles. I am most grateful for this.

[Peter Kiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

With all the hype this book has received, I was quite dissapointed in the level of argumentation. Much of it is just declarations made without support, and while they were good and I generally agreed with them, it would have been nice to see more exegetically founded arguments. I found the mocking of the puritans and theonomists quite ugly, especially because he couldn't represent either of their positions honestly. The conclusion of the book was especially a let down; when trying to lay down practical guidelines for sabbath keeping, he really doesn't say anything at all, but he makes sure you know that you cannot gleam anything from all the rules about sabbath keeping in the Old Testament. Very arbitrary.

[Caleb Falbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chantry presented a well-balanced argument for the Sabbatarian position. He acknowledged both moral and ceremonial aspects of the 4th commandment. He wrote this book in a very pastoral, easy to understand way without compromising on the essence of the arguments. If you are looking for an especially scholarly work, this is not necessarily a fit; but if you are wanting to better understand the general direction of argumentation, I think this book is great for that. I will say, also, that his treatment of Hebrews 3-4 in establishing the change of the Sabbath (from Saturday to Sunday) was especially compelling.

[Joshua Reichard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short intro into Sabbath keeping. I have been wrestling with keeping the Sabbath, and seeking to do the work of studying scripture and wiser men than me to help me discern what is biblical and what is man made. I’d encourage all who are interested in this topic to pick this book up and feast. Though I have a long way to go to be convinced of this view. This book brings with it a true delight. Chantry makes you want to rest by worshipful Christ all the more Sunday after Sunday. He pulls out helpful biblical truths and clearly sets them out before you and lets you feast on God’s glorious words.

[Matthew Prydden · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent call to adhere to, and delight in, the understanding that a Sunday, the Lord's Day, is to be considered the Christian Sabbath. Chantry lays down a challenging but balanced argument. There are areas that require deeper consideration and discussion but this is an issue that all Christians would do well to consider and settle in their minds, as what it is ultimately comes down to is the keeping of God's Law and the opposing of His will - as to whether the idea of the Christian Sabbath is included in the remit of the 4th Commandment of the Decalogue.

[Jason Silverthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, concise handling of Sabbath observance from a Reformed Baptist perspective. Of all I have read on the Sabbath, this has been the most helpful. The most helpful chapter, for me, was about the observance of the moral law under Moses versus observance under Jesus. I would recommend this heartily to anyone interested in knowing more about the joy of Sabbath observance.

[Alex Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good, short and sweet, and balanced. Helped clarify and solidify my understanding more. I'm particularly pleased that Chantry emphasised the importance of what he calls "evangelical obedience", speaking to how we must obey the fourth commandment out of a sincere love to God in light of our salvation in Christ. Much needed in this generation.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ouch! This book hit me in a hard place! But it was a necessary shot! This book celebrates the Sabbath and makes me ask hard questions about my Sabbath habits and rhythms in light of Scripture and I was blessed to read this. I loved his high view of Scripture and will use this book in the future. Highly recommended

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book showing the great gift of the Sabbath has always been and still is--a day of rest and fellowship for God's people. Chantry does good work in Hebrews 4:9. He could have emphasized the gift of rest more strongly, but this is sill a great and succinct resource.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first surprise read if 2022, this short read proved to be very helpful. I still have a ways to go in studying the role of the Sabbath in the Christian life but Chantry's book is a wonderful introduction to the topic, expertly handling several of the main issues.

[James Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, penetrating prose. Excellent challenge to Christians to keep the Sabbath. I wanted more on why he (and much of the Reformed tradition) affirm a significant change in Sabbath administration from Old Covenant to New, but I am inspired to read more.

[Joshua Satterfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful little book on the Sabbath/Lord’s day. The random chapter where he blames dispensationalism for people not taking the Lords day seriously was unnecessary- the principle of the Sabbath can still apply even if you do not believe the church == Israel.

[Megan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this author is a tad redundant on some points, his defense of Christians delighting in the Sabbath is helpful. I especially appreciate some of his illustrations regarding families with children.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise and yet very helpful treatment of issue related to the Lord's Day. Recommended!

[Deborah Laajanen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great exposition on the Sabbath's doctrinal and practical application to the church. However, to my mind, not all illustrations are relevant.

[George Mayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great thoughts on the necessity of a weekly day of worship, but still left many questions concerning a "Christian Sabbath" unanswered.

[Tabitha C · Rating 4 out of 5]

He brings up some good points. Heads up: He uses“Reformed churches” a lot, and is Reformed. But I don’t think it made it unreadable..just slightly annoying, since I am not Reformed/Calvinist.