The Christian Sabbath: Its Redemptive-Historical Foundation, Present Obligation, and Practical Observance

Christian history has shown that in each generation the issue of the role of God's law in the Christian life always resolves itself into a critical question, especially for those who wish to affirm the integrity and on-going authority of the Ten Commandments as a God-given ethical norm for Christian behavior. The question: what about the fourth commandment? Most believers have no doubt concerning the other nine commandments of the Decalogue. But under the terms of the New Covenant, does God require his people to keep holy a Sabbath day? This question never proves simple, but the answer given in some cases defines a group of Christians as much as their answers on other disputed points, such as church order, baptism, or spiritual gifts. Here is an honest attempt to answer this question biblically.

Publisher: Trinity Pulpit Press
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781943608003

______________

Dr. Robert Paul Martin was a scholar-saint become preacher-pastor. “Dr. Bob," as he was affectionately called by his students, was a biblical scholar of the highest order, but he was also a godly churchman. Dr. Bob devoted his life to the Word of God and to the good of the church. He taught tirelessly at seminaries at home and abroad. He labored as a pastor at Trinity Baptist Church, Montville, NJ and Emmanuel Reformed Baptist Church, SeaTac, WA. He was also a writer. His journal articles (included in this volume) and books have been a blessing to the church. Dr. Bob went home to be with the Lord on February 3, 2016.

______________

Of the many fine qualities of Dr. Martin’s book, four stand out. First, he treats all the relevant texts of Scripture, showing ample ability in both Hebrew and Greek. Second, he shows acute awareness of the history of interpretation concerning the texts he addresses. Third, he shows very discerning, careful scholarship while interpreting the patristics on this issue. Fourth, he presents critical discussions in the body of the book, and especially in the footnotes, of the book edited by D. A. Carson, From Sabbath to Lord’s Day: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Investigation (reprint ed., Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1999). The interaction provided by Martin with the work edited by Carson is worth the price of the book.' Richard C. Barcellos