Comment On "The Rest Of God"

Shalom Pastor Buchanan

I recently came across your book "The Rest of God" in our local Christian bookstore, and, glancing through it, noticed a number of blessed and valuable observations. One point which you made, however, stimulated me to call you last week and see if we could chat briefly on the phone. Your secretary informed me that you were tied up with other responsibilities at that time, and suggested that I email my thoughts to you, which is the reason I am communicating with you presently via this post.

The specific point you made which I wanted to discuss was "Jews celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday, and most Christians celebrate it on Sunday". The conversation I hoped to have with you included a few questions which I will now pose to you in writing, along with answers from yourself where I feel confident I know what your answers would be....please correct me if I'm wrong!

Question: can you create a tree?
Answer: no.

Question: do you know people who can create a tree?
Answer: no.

Question: can you create an elephant?
Answer: no.

Question: do you know people who can create an elephant?
Answer: no.

Question: can you create a holy day?
Answer: _________?

Question: do you know people who can create a holy day?
Answer: _________?

Since divine rest is actually an extension and function of the unchangeable divine Creator Himself, who rested on the seventh day and made/created it holy....it is as impossible to observe the Sabbath on Sunday as it is for a man to create a tree or an elephant, or for someone to celebrate his birthday on a date other than his birthdate! Of course, you can put something together that looks like a tree or an elephant, you can even call what you make a tree or an elephant, but calling it a tree or an elephant doesn't make it a tree or an elephant! In fact, if the thing you make is used in a worship context, there is a specific word for it - IDOL - that correctly identifies the nature of your creation. And so it is that Sunday is actually an IDOL "Sabbath", although not understood to be such by many true-hearted worshippers who observe it.

I would be happy to discuss these matters further with you should you wish to do so.

Although I take exception as explained above to one point in your book, I appreciate your highlighting something which the Creator told us to remember, but which many of us have seemed to forget.

Regards.
Ron Buhler