tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921510.post2371827638824990823..comments2023-05-03T06:04:41.057-05:00Comments on Cumberland Island: Sabbath MusingsAdrian C. Keisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12601165797762278028noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921510.post-60070738939249392222014-02-20T15:11:29.147-05:002014-02-20T15:11:29.147-05:00And apparently I'm too long-winded for my whol...And apparently I'm too long-winded for my whole comment to be published at once, so here's the rest: <br /><br />(4) One important caveat in the Exodus passage that many people (not you - others) forget to include in their Sabbath philosophy is the requirement that the alien in our gates is also not to do work. I think that means that even those who are not believers should not be encouraged and certainly not forced to work on Sunday (barring medical jobs, etc.). So excusing going out to eat with "but I'M not working, and the waitress isn't forced to work. She's not a Christian and doesn't mind working today" is kind of lame, imo :-D. I think this also has application for traveling on Sunday. Unless you're going a short distance, you'll be stopping for gas. And many people also use airlines and/or hotels in travel.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01270306505994055790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15921510.post-16648510192129624582014-02-20T15:10:57.943-05:002014-02-20T15:10:57.943-05:00A few thoughts, not terribly well-developed:
(1)...A few thoughts, not terribly well-developed: <br /><br />(1) When a word has multiple meanings, the Biblical principle of interpretation is to look at context to determine which meaning applies to a "contested" passage. The Hebrew word "yom" for day, for example, can mean many things, not limited to a 24-hour period. But looking at the context of the first few chapters of Genesis, and noticing that the days of creation are mentioned in successive numberings and in conjunction with the words "evening" and "morning" makes a good case for the idea that the creation days are 24 hours, because every other place in scripture where this is the case is a clear case of a 24-hour day. <br /><br />Applying that to the Isaiah Sabbath passage, seems to me either the Puritans or the Concise Lexicon could be accused of possibly choosing their "favorite" meaning, that fit into what they already perceived to be the meaning. That is, unless either can make a good case for using their definition. And actually, looking at the end of v. 13, "talking idly," makes me wonder if the Puritans had some decent notions after all. But then, what does it mean to talk idly? That's what I'm curious to know. I have a hard time believing it means everything spoken on the Sabbath must be religious in nature or a necessity, such as "let's get in the car to go to church." So I don't know what that would look like, just what it would not look like (sitting cheerlessly on backless benches in silence all afternoon, a la Farmer Boy). However, the idea of not talking idly gives credence to the Puritan view, I think. <br /><br />(2) Laura really didn't harp on the drudgery bit of the Sabbath, imo. It came across to me more as a brief portrayal of how people really did observe the Sabbath "back then." I didn't take it as condemnation or as any more than historical observation, really. <br /><br />(3) I think people define "works of necessity" in a vastly loose way when it comes to the Sabbath. For example, I remember a conversation with a pastor in which he related the ongoing "debate" his two grown children have regarding the Sabbath. His son holds a "strict" view of not going to any place of business on Sunday, and therefore refuses to eat out on Sunday. Whereas his daughter counters that with the classic "you're just saying that because you're a guy and don't have to cook a nice Sunday meal" argument. Um, hello. False bifurcation here. There is absolutely no scriptural basis for the idea that a "nice Sunday meal" is either necessary or even desirable. Goodness, the Israelites ate leftover manna on Sabbaths. Hardly gourmet. What about a middle-of-the-road position, wherein the family eats foods that are easy to prep the day before? (Thinking crockpot, leftovers, freezer meals) Or do "snacky suppers" like fruit and cheese, buttered bread, sandwiches, popcorn, etc. <br /><br />Same with dishes. You say that dishes "need" to be done on Sunday, but really, that's a narrow definition of need. (Said with fear and trembling, as my wonderful-hubby-aka-You does dishes for me on Sunday) Your wife might have a nervous breakdown every Monday morning, but there are drugs for that. . . kidding! But really, I think we should be slower to declare dishes a "work of necessity." I've seen many many people also claim test studying as a work of necessity on Sundays too, but you and I have both proven that one can indeed survive a college degree (even graduate!) without studying on Sunday. So a lot of need is perceived. <br /><br />Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01270306505994055790noreply@blogger.com