The Decline of the Sabbath, Less praying, more working and playing

WSJ ^ | 06.15.07 | MOLLIE ZIEGLER HEMINGWAY

[what's up]

Col 2:16. "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day."

Sabbaths have often been used to divide people. The ifs, when, and wheres.

The day of rest is a good one. However, some will do it and some won't. Paul said don't judge concerning the Sabbath.

[NYer]

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[NYer]

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[AnAmericanMother]

A number of significant Protestant groups, including the Pilgrim Fathers and the Scots Presbyterians, took over the term "Sabbath" from the OT and applied it to Sunday. You'll find it in the KJV and a number of the earlier English Bibles as well.

The Scots Presbyterians (especially the "Wee Free" variety) were particularly concerned with "Sabbath-keeping" and "Sabbath-breaking". My maternal grandparents were Scots Presbyterians of the rock-ribbed variety.

George MacDonald Fraser (the "Flashman" author) once asked one of his soldiers in the Far East, a Wee Free, how he could bring himself to kill Japanese on the Sabbath. He replied that it was a work of necessity and mercy . . . .

[LiteKeeper]

You'll find it in the KJV

That doesn't change the fact that Sunday is not the Sabbath. And the OT laws about the Sabbath don't apply to Sunday. Misinterpretation in the past doesn't make obligation in the present.

[AnAmericanMother]

You'll have to take that up with the Scots Presbyterians (be careful - they bite!)

I hold no brief for them or the Pilgrim Fathers, whom I found to be a particularly dour and joyless lot.

But the historical fact remains that many of the Calvinist adherents adopted the name of the Sabbath for Sunday. And that permeates their writings and those of their successors. Particularly in 19th century America among all Protestants, not just Calvinists, as well as the state legislatures that passed Blue Laws. You may consider it a misinterpretation, but it is now a significant part of history and one can't simply ignore it or pretend it doesn't exist.

[yhwhsman]

The total disregard for the things of God, in general

America is filthy wealthy. Man's normal inclination is that when he is 'wealthy' he doesn't need God, it's only when someone is down to their last dregs that they finally come crawling to their maker.