Peairtach
Puritan Board Doctor
Thanks for all of the posts...I have been wondering about some of these same issues. I do, however, agree with Sarah, in that we can get a bit "legalistic" if we are not careful.
True enough. You can get a bit legalistic in applying any commandment. But it's important to know what God's will is, and if God's Word in the Old Testament said we weren't to prepare food/cook/wash up on the Sabbath then we'd have to take that on board - whether that would mean the same in the New Testament is a moot point.
It looks like it doesn't/didn't teach that for the Jews or us, in line with our Lord's instruction in the New Covenant. I wouldn't call such research legalistic, just seeking God's will.
-----Added 9/24/2009 at 03:27:57 EST-----
Interesting also Mr. Shepard is of the view that the sabbath begins and ends at sundown. It is a substantial part of his very insightful work.
I haven't read the whole treatise. Does he give any reasons why that is better than the Sabbath beginning and ending at midnight; which would be/ may be slightly less confusing than the sundown to sundown Sabbath in our society?