Sabbath: The Ancient Practices »

To rest does not mean to cease all activity.

Bestselling author Dan Allender presents an insightful and fascinating look at the origins and purpose of Sabbath. Serving as volume three in The Ancient Practices series, Sabbath examines the key issues of this oft-misunderstood day of the week.

This "day of delight" as instituted by God has become a dirge for millions of believers. For many, it is simply a break from the busyness of the work week. So, what keeps us from properly understanding, sanctifying, and celebrating this important day? Allender looks at not only the history of this discipline, going all the way back to ancient Israel, but also at the modern manifestations and misunderstandings of its practice.

Allender bases his premise on the Hebrew word for rest, Menuha, which is best translated as "joyous repose, tranquility, or delight." It is through this lens that he resurrects this lost definition of what it really means to rest.

A volume in the eight book classic series, The Ancient Practices, with a foreword by Phyllis Tickle, General Editor.

Publishers Weekly

In this reflection on the many faces of the Fourth Commandment, Allender (The Healing Path) tries to reinvigorate the Judeo-Christian idea of the Sabbath as a time of joy, celebration and holiness rather than a time for sporting events and grocery shopping. The author, who is president of Mars Hill Graduate School, urges his readers to "go play in the fields of God." The book, part of the Ancient Practices series, is founded on three central ideas. The Sabbath is a commandment, not an option. It is not a minivacation but a "day of delight." It is also a time for feasting, a remembrance of Eden and an anticipation of eternal life. Allender liberally sprinkles his work with personal anecdotes as he proposes a Sabbath theology that includes time, "sensual glory," feasting, ritual, abundance, play and justice. While this volume may be really helpful to those readers seeking to take a fresh look at Sabbath observance,A the often convoluted and confusing prose makes it a bit of a slog. (Feb.)

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