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With the advent of COVID-19 and the rise of what has been popularly called “worship at home,” the biblical, theological, and practical questions about the Fourth Commandment are more pressing than ever for the modern church to address. Christians today are in urgent need of a clear and biblical explanation of what it means to keep the Sabbath Day holy, and Ryan McGraw’s The Day of Worship (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2011) provides exactly that. The Day of Worship is a vital resource for the contemporary church because McGraw successfully defends the Westminster view of the Sabbath by combining thoughtful biblical exegesis with practical application.

In chapters one and two, the book begins by outlining the biblical importance of the Sabbath Day and revealing its true purpose. In chapter one, McGraw surveys key biblical texts and, in doing so, offers a compelling plea to the modern church to biblically reconsider God’s Day of worship (13-28). Chapter two presents a well-founded argument that the purpose of the Sabbath is worship and communion with God (31-40). The thrust of this chapter is vital to the larger argument of the book, for if the thesis holds, it directly affects how we spend the Sabbath. Rather than merely resting, we are to rest from our usual employments and recreations so that we can devote the day to worshipping and communing with God (36). These chapters together form one of the great strengths of this work: it exposes how we, as contemporary Christians, have taken the Sabbath too lightly, ultimately showing that we have taken the Lord of the Sabbath lightly as well (38). McGraw lays this biblical and theological foundation before building upon it by dealing more precisely with the Westminster view, which is succinctly stated in the answers to the Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC) Questions 60 and 61 (7).

Following his exposition of the biblical significance of the Sabbath and its true purpose, McGraw begins this portion of the book in chapters three and four by examining the key biblical text of Isaiah 58:13-14 due to the connection it has with the answer to Westminster Shorter Catechism Question 60 (43). One’s understanding of the Sabbath is often revealed by how one interprets and applies this key passage (43). In chapter three, he remarks that critics of the Westminster view of the Sabbath commonly assert that it is built on a “doubtful” interpretation of the passage and that it rests almost entirely on this single text (43). He effectively challenges these claims by examining the broader and immediate context of this passage, and how it lends itself to being directly related to Sabbath-keeping and worship (44-53). For instance, in reference to the broader context of Isaiah 58, he references the recurring and important theme of the Sabbath in chapters 56 and 66 (45-48). And in reference to the immediate context of the passage, McGraw points out the connection between fasting and the Sabbath is that properly observing the Sabbath is the “pattern” for fasting (51). The exegetical work in this chapter thoughtfully addresses critics of the Westminster view and provides a solid basis for the practical applications of verses 13-14 exposited in the following chapter. 

Chapter four considers the “prohibitions,” “requirements,” and “promises” of Sabbath keeping laid out in verses 13-14 (56-71). This is perhaps the most practical section of the book, as McGraw breaks down each section and offers thoughtful comments about its application. For instance, some of the most controversial aspects of the Westminster view are its stances on recreation and speech. Critics of this view often desire an exhaustive list of activities or words that are permissible on the Sabbath. McGraw, however, points out that when considering the prohibitions of Sabbath keeping, we should have a “positive focus” (63). In other words, rather than desiring a list of dos and don’ts, we should be concerned with what promotes worship and communion with God (63). The biblical reasoning found in these chapters not only clarifies many misconceptions but also exemplifies the pastoral approach this book takes.

The remainder of the book consists of a wide variety of related biblical and practical considerations. Chapters five and six address the uncomfortable topic of “worldliness” (73-100), making The Day of Worship— in addition to chapters one and two—a convicting and challenging read. For example, McGraw employs a vivid image of a man attempting to run a marathon, which reveals his conditioned physical status or the lack thereof. Similarly, when we seek to devote the Sabbath to worship and communion with God and find it difficult or strenuous, it exposes our lack of spiritual conditioning and the “worldliness” within us (73-74). This topic is uncomfortable for many to confront, as it casts the spotlight on indwelling sin as a significant reason that many have trouble with and oppose the Westminster view (100). 

Chapters seven and nine explain the Sabbath in relation to the law of God. The former addresses how a properly reformed understanding of the law of God lends itself to the conclusions of the Westminster view (103-128), while the latter considers the common charge of legalism to those who hold this view (130-155). Chapter seven is especially practical and enlightened, as it touches the positive and negative aspects with respect to the moral law of God (106-108), and how it is possible to break the commandments in thought, word, and deed, including the Fourth Commandment (108-115). 

The remaining chapters, eight and ten, provide further biblically grounded conclusions and applications regarding the Sabbath. Chapter eight, in particular, provides highly practical principles through which many of our questions and concerns about the Westminster view could be answered. For example, McGraw emphasizes an overarching principle: when we remember and “delight” in the true purpose of the Sabbath, “the more your practical questions will be answered” (121). Chapter ten concludes the book by directing the reader's attention to the “eternal rest” promised to Christians, as he outlines relevant biblical passages (158-176). It is a fitting conclusion, reminding us that every Sabbath day is an anticipation and foretaste of the life to come in eternity, and we are to ultimately look to Jesus to “increase our faith” as we continue towards the eternal Sabbath (171-174).

Every Christian ought to read The Day of Worship. While several well-respected books address the Sabbath observance and the Fourth Commandment, few books combine biblical interpretation and practical observance like The Day of Worship. Ryan McGraw issues a much-needed wake-up call, urging Christians toward renewed faithfulness in keeping the Sabbath.

See the link to purchase the ebook version: https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-day-of-worship-reassessing-the-christian-life-in-light-of-the-sabbath-ebook-mcgraw.html