Sabbath Keeping
Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest

by Lynne M. Baab
InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0-8308-3258-0; paper; 132 pp. (2005)

This is the first Christian book on the sabbath to draw on dozens of interviews with real-life sabbath keepers. The sabbath is discussed as a way to learn to experience God’s grace, and practical suggestions are given for

• what to cease doing on the sabbath and
• what to do to draw near to God.

Publishers Weekly Starred Review:

"In a gentle, concise style, Baab recommends a weekly day of rest as a gift from God that teaches Christians about grace. Although rules and puritanical solemnity have tarnished Sabbath-keeping in the United States, Baab commends the practice as a balm for frazzled moderns:

'The frantic pace, the exhaustion that accompanies it and the resulting emptiness call us back to a rhythm that includes stopping and resting.'

"While Sabbath-keeping is commanded in the Bible, God intends it as a reminder of freedom and abundant life. Baab suggests that Christians customize their Sabbath: All are called to cease from work, but one person's work could be another person's play. (Baab also says the Sabbath may involve freedom from multitasking, technology, media, shopping, competition, talking and anxiety.) Also, she says, the day for the observance does not matter, as long as it is consistent. Baab covers the scriptural reasons for Sabbath observance, but the best sections of this work deal with the personal and the practical. Her account of living (and keeping the sabbath) in Iran, Israel and the United States instructs and fascinates. One particularly helpful chapter about creating a Sabbath celebration offers tips about making the day special. Winsome, passionate and persuasive, this will convince many Christians of the continuing relevance of the Fourth Commandment."

Sabbath Keeping is now translated into Korean

book
Sabbath Keeping (2005)

exerpt
Chapter One

reviews
A Sabbath Testimony
Amy Kohley

A Gentle Antidote to Legalistic Lists
Susan O’Loughlin Ward

Reflections on Rest From the Neonatal Care Unit
Sarah Sanderson

Dine on This Sumptuous Feast Rev. Monica McDowell Elvig

A Day of Rest from the Should's and Ought's
Jeanette Krantz

articles

A Day Off From God Stuff? "Leadership Journal," Spring 2007

Gifts of Freedom: The Sabbath and Fasting to be published in "Conversations"

The Gift of Rest
Today's Christian Woman (Sept 2005)

Sabbath-Keeping—It's OK to Start Small Presbyterians Today (July/Aug 2005)

A Day Without a ‘Do’ List Discipleship Journal (July/Aug 2005)

Stopping: The Gift of the Sabbath Congregations (Summer 2003)

interviews
The Sabbath Doesn't Have To Be Perfect

Beyond a Sunday Nap

buy the book
(Amazon.com)
(ChristianBooks.com)