From Sabbath to Sabbath: Returning the Holy Sabbath to the Disciples of Jesus

by D. Thomas Lancaster

Why dont Christians in the church today keep the biblical Sabbath? Was the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath done away with, canceled, changed, replaced, fulfilled, made obsolete, suppressed, hijacked, or simply forgotten? Even if you already know the answers, you'll want to read this book. From Sabbath to Sabbath approaches the question of the Sabbath from a completely new Messianic Jewish perspective.Discover for yourself the beauty, holiness, and blessing of Gods day. From Sabbath to Sabbath examines all the pertinent New Testament passages and common objections to Sabbath observance, shedding new light on the Bible to reveal the truth about the Sabbath and its relevance to disciples of Jesus today. D. Thomas Lancaster introduces the Sabbath, its observance, and the story of how the church transitioned from Sabbath to Sunday. This theological table-turner is a fun-to-read and inspiring journey into the world of the Bible. For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the Lord. Isaiah 66:2223

Genres: Theology

279 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

D. Thomas Lancaster is Director of Education at First Fruits of Zion, editor of Messiah Magazine, and author of the Torah Club commentaries and several books and study programs. He is also the pastor of Beth Immanuel Messianic Synagogue in Hudson, WI.

Reviews

[Saphraneet]

This is an extremely interesting and informative book, for both Jewish and Gentile believers in Messiah, about many of the aspects of the Sabbath question. To quote a passage from the last page of the book: "The Sabbath is a hallmark of the coming kingdom. We're all going to be keeping it eventually, so why wait?"

[Tracy]

This was my second time reading it…so good!

I listen to Audible [DTL read it] while I followed along in the physical book taking notes and highlighting.

[Tre Brickley]

This is a fairly good introduction to the subject of the Sabbath that treats most of the relevant exegetical, theological, and historical issues. I learned several important things and was edified in several ways by this book which will positively affect my obedience to the Sabbath commandments. Chapter 6 provides a practical overview of "keeping the Sabbath." Parts 3-4 are excellent in addressing typical anti-Sabbatarian objections based on oft-misunderstood New Testament texts/passages and surveying the history of the Sabbath in various Christian movements. However, Lancaster takes for granted so-called "orthodox Judaism's" definitions of 'the seventh day' and prohibited 'work'. He also takes for granted a "distinction theology" whereby Gentiles were/are not obligated to observe the Sabbath which leads to some tensions and even contradictions in his writing here. For example, he suggests that Gentiles can "at the very least, 'remember' the Sabbath" though they aren't obligated to keep it (p.9), but less than ten pages later says that "to 'remember' the Sabbath means to honor one's obligation to keep the Sabbath" (p.18). This causes him to say crazy things like "the same obligation [to keep the Sabbath] does not apply to non-Jewish people" (p.57) despite the fact that in almost every single commandment regarding the Sabbath in the Torah, non-Israelites are explicitly mentioned as equally obligated (see Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5).

[J And]

Lancaster presents a history of Sabbath among strains of Judaism, including Talmud discussions of "work" (which is forbidden on Sabbath) and such notable breakers (or contrarian honor-ers of Sabbath) as the founder of Chabad who kindled a fire and cooked and transported the meal (all of which is considered forbidden on the day of rest) to care for a new mother. Lancaster constantly brings these examples into conversation with Jesus' actions and teachings around Sabbath. His case is that Jewish Believers in Jesus are still obligated as Jews to keep Sabbath because it is a blessing to reenter oneself with God. And Gentiles are encouraged to keep Sabbath (Saturday) because it was instituted at creation, not Sinai, and "the Sabbath was made for mankind"... though Lancaster is careful to point out in several places that Gentiles are not required to keep any Jewish law, however much he encourages followers of Jesus to do so.

[Pam]

Excellent book, easy to understand. I really appreciated the author's understanding not only of ancient culture as it pertains to Jewish religion, but also the way it was all explained. It makes so much sense, and as a Sabbath-Keeper myself, I find I never stop learning about it and the Kingdom.

[Bianca]

September 2026 update

I originally read this book as part of my engagement with FFOZ and its attempt to recover the Jewish context of early Christianity. I appreciated that Lancaster addresses topics that many churches do not discuss, or perhaps more accurately, that most churches do not discuss in any depth. I found this interesting and at times challenging, even when I did not always, and often did not, agree with his conclusions. I valued being encouraged to think about questions that I might not otherwise have encountered in my usual Christian context.

However, my understanding of several of the theological and interpretive issues addressed in this book has developed considerably since I read it. My assessment of FFOZ's theology has also changed significantly, and I no longer agree with much of its theology. I can no longer recommend this book as I once did.

I am adding this update because an older positive rating or review could reasonably be understood as a current recommendation. Readers coming from a historic evangelical background should be aware that FFOZ's present-day theological perspective should not simply be assumed to represent mainstream evangelical theology. In some important respects, I now see its trajectory as considerably closer to contemporary Orthodox Judaism, and there are areas of its teaching concerning the Church, Kabbalah, the Trinity etc that may be surprising to evangelical readers.

That does not mean that everything I found valuable in this book has become worthless to me. I can still recognise why I appreciated its willingness to address subjects that are often neglected in Christian settings and why I found some of the questions it raised genuinely thought-provoking. I would now read its arguments much more critically and with considerably greater discernment, and I would distinguish more carefully between finding a question worth exploring and agreeing with the author's conclusions.

My original review below reflects what I thought when I first read the book. It should therefore be understood as a historical reflection on my response at that time, not as my current endorsement of FFOZ's theology or of all the conclusions in this book.