Safe place to explore an orthodox theology of Sabbath?

Paidiske

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"If you are not a member of this faith group, you may not debate issues or teach against it's theology. You may post in fellowship. Active promotion of views contrary to the established teachings of this group will be considered off topic."

It's not for non-Anglicans to say what's orthodox in the Anglican forum.
 
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Carl Emerson

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As far as specifically Anglican takes on it, I would point out that one of our key positions is this:

"It is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly like; for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's Word."

So provided we don't feel there is a specific Scriptural reason for worshipping on a given day, this is something on which Anglicans would say customs can vary.

I would note also that traditionally, Anglican forms of worship assumed that people might gather and pray together on any day, or indeed every day. The "office" - morning and evening prayer - was traditionally observed publicly each day in each parish, and in places like cathedrals and monastic communities, still is. More catholic places might also celebrate the Eucharist every day. Even more middle-of-the-road parishes would tend to hold a mid-week Eucharist on a Wednesday.

I would note also that I'm aware that in some places - for example, in Islamic countries - the main worship service of the week is held on Friday, because that is when people have the freedom from work to gather en masse.

So much for gathering for worship. As for a "weekly memorial," if by that you mean communion, surely you know that there too, Anglican customs have varied. The idea that Anglicans would celebrate the Eucharist every week is fairly modern; historically it was often celebrated monthly or even quarterly.

So my overall response would be, it would be hard to critique your position from specifically Anglican sources, and the actual historic and contemporary practice of Anglicans around the world would tend to demonstrate a degree of agreement, although I would be hard pressed to find any official Anglican source which lays out the line of reasoning you've put forward.

Hi Paidiske

This is all useful information and sounding like good common sense.

Can you think of any documents I could refer to that might represent the orthodox position on the subject?

I am a learner on the block... is orthodoxy well defined and set in stone or evolving?
 
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Paidiske

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Hi Paidiske

This is all useful information and sounding like good common sense.

Can you think of any documents I could refer to that might represent the orthodox position on the subject?

I am a learner on the block... is orthodoxy well defined and set in stone or evolving?

You might look at the homily "On the Place and Time of Prayer." Anglican Library - Homilies, Book 2, Homily 8

Disclaimer that I have not read it recently and can't remember how well it lines up with your thoughts; I'm back at work today after some annual leave and a bit swamped here, so don't have time to do more just now.
 
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seeking.IAM

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...Believers who understand and appropriate by faith His Sabbath Rest have more than satisfied the intent of the Heart of God in making the Sabbath for man, as they do this every day of the week.

However it is fitting to have a weekly memorial around His Resurrection as the fact of this event is the central hub of the faith. This makes Sunday the obvious choice.

Carl, as I re-read your post, I might offer one slight twist on your conclusion of, "This makes Sunday the obvious choice." I am not a theologian and offer only one Anglican voice from the pew (for whatever that's worth). For me, I can better align myself with the statement, "This makes Sunday an acceptable choice." There are enough folks that disapprove to negate the choice as obvious.

Jesus observed the Sabbath, but he also challenged the Pharisee's unyielding and strict interpretation of the law by healing on the Sabbath, walking about, and plucking and eating grain along the way, etc. In my life, my conclusion from that is (a) a Sabbath is to be kept and (b) the keeping of it (spirit) is more important than the day (law).

However, as I have said before I honor the tradition of the church. The Christian church has maintained Sunday as its primary day of worship for centuries, and that's good enough for me.

Just as important or maybe more so, I also think we have grown very lax in adherence to Sabbath as a required day of rest regardless of which day is observed. It is as if we go to services and check that box as if we have done all that is required of us. I personally think God required more than that.

I confess I would like to get back to something closer to the strict observance I grew up with in my parents' and grandparents' (non-Anglican) households. I've been trying to sort out if or how I can do that.
 
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Carl Emerson

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Carl, as I re-read your post, I might offer one slight twist on your conclusion of, "This makes Sunday the obvious choice." I am not a theologian and offer only one Anglican voice from the pew (for whatever that's worth). For me, I can better align myself with the statement, "This makes Sunday an acceptable choice." There are enough folks that disapprove to negate the choice as obvious.

Jesus observed the Sabbath, but he also challenged the Pharisee's unyielding and strict interpretation of the law by healing on the Sabbath, walking about, and plucking and eating grain along the way, etc. In my life, my conclusion from that is (a) a Sabbath is to be kept and (b) the keeping of it (spirit) is more important than the day (law).

However, as I have said before I honor the tradition of the church. The Christian church has maintained Sunday as its primary day of worship for centuries, and that's good enough for me.

Just as important or maybe more so, I also think we have grown very lax in adherence to Sabbath as a required day of rest regardless of which day is observed. It is as if we go to services and check that box as if we have done all that is required of us. I personally think God required more than that.

I confess I would like to get back to something closer to the strict observance I grew up with in my parents' and grandparents' (non-Anglican) households. I've been trying to sort out if or how I can do that.

Good points thanks.

This then raises the issue of when the early church adopted Sunday observance. I have read conflicting claims about this.

Secondly regarding Sabbath observance it seems less critical if we have individually entered His rest as we read in Heb 3 and 4.
 
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