Actually, I have. You mentioned how the Sabbath principle was nearly impossible to keep with the punishments for breaking the commandment serve, I pointed out that "coveting" was just as impossible to keep, and that under the new covenant you are still require to acknowledge breaking it was sin.
I never mentioned that the commandment was impossible to keep.. I don't see where you're getting that. How impossible was it to stay in your dwelling and not go out to seek food?
You reveal a bias against the Reformed teaching due to your Seventh Day Adventist background. That's an entirely different belief system and contains different reasons for Sabbath keeping. I've yet to read a Reformed Christian tell us to "keep a 7th day Sabbath," but that we have a Sabbath principle of rest and worship that is one in seven.
Yes, it's true, I can't deny that due to my upbringing I have a strong opinion concerning Sabbatarianism.
I obviously don't have a bias against Reformed teaching in general, just this one. The fourth commandment is not a general principle of rest and worship, it was a commandment written in stone with very specific, unalterable details, including the 7th Day Sabbath which the Jews (orthodox) still keep. When I left Adventism I wanted to be sure on this topic, that is have a clear conscience on the matter. Now, I admit that if no one else shared my understanding of this I would be worried. The fact that many Calvinist that I know personally, and others I respect such as Calvin himself, and people like Phil Johnson share my view lets me know I'm not completely crazy.
I've never really considered Sproul a Sabbatarian rather, he has espoused the Continental view of the Lord's Day, a day of rest and relaxation. A feast day.
Hmmm? that's interesting. I always hear him claim he's an adherent to the Westminster confession. The
Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterian) explicitly teaches
Sabbatarianism. And I've heard him use the term Sabbath often.
Trust me, I've heard it all my Christian life. "If you can't find the commandment repeated in the New Testament it must not be for us Today." That reeks of an overly realized eschatology! Remove the manmade elements that distinguish old and new testaments and read the Bible as one complete revelation. It helps.
I never argued that you can't find the commandment repeated in the New Testament. On the contrary, I argue that we do find it's significance and fulfillment in the NT in the texts that I discussed. I believe it's explicit in texts like Colosians 2, and Hebrews 4, and implied in Jesus ministry.
If the Sabbath typified rest in Christ, and it does, why would it be less important now when we have the substance of what was typified?
You could use that argument/logic about every feast day, ritual, ceremony etc. in the Old Covenant.
PS: I made a few points in
The Third Use of the Law. Essentially, the promise of Law written on our hearts in Jer. 31, in context, must be the moral law including the one in seven day principle of rest.
The fruits of the Spirit are IMO the fulfillment of Jer 31. The result of regeneration. You'd think Paul or the Apostles would make a small effort to include Sabbath keeping in the list.
P.S. I appreciate your participation in this thread. I don't know or have contact with any confessional Reforms folks around here. I go to an independent Calvinistic baptist church. I'm blessed to have a faithful pastor that does a great job in expository preaching. We're about 20 percent through the book of Romans now.
Just a little off topic plug of our church:
http://www.keenecrossway.org/sermons
I especially enjoyed his series on the book of Ruth.:
http://www.keenecrossway.org/sermons#series_19
