Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!iuvax!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: harry@atmos.washington.edu (Harry Edmon) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: The Sabbath and Luther Message-ID: Date: 7 Oct 89 23:11:13 GMT Organization: Dept. of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Washington Lines: 40 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu From Luther's Small Catechism (note that Luther numbers the commandments differently): The Third Commandment: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (You shall sanctify the holy day.) What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it. This commandment is part of the first table of the commandments, which Jesus summarizes as "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matt 23:37 NIV). As Luther points out, the meaning of the 3rd (4th) commandment is that we should set aside a regular time for worship, listening to preaching and study of His Word. The day of the week chosen is not important to the Christian since Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath (Matt 12:8) and specified holy days have been abolished: "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day." (Col 22:16 NIV, see also Rom 14:5-6). Whether Saturday or Sunday or Wednesday is chosen is not important, that regular time for worship is set aside is important. Those who choose Saturday have good reasons to use that day for worship and I thank God for them. Other Christians such as myself have chosen Sunday in commeration of Easter and Pentecost, which are also good reasons for selecting a day. In the end, the day of the week we choose is, as the Lutheran Confessions term it, "adiaphora" (Greek for indifferent things, i.e., church rites which are neither commanded nor forbidden in the Word of God). As Jesus stated in His summary of the first table of the commandments, what is important is our love for God. -- Harry Edmon INTERNET: harry@atmos.washington.edu (206) 543-0547 UUCP: uw-beaver!atmos.washington.edu!harry Dept of Atmospheric Sciences, AK-40 University of Washington