Review: Sabbath The Ancient Practices

Sabbath: The Ancient Practices

By Dan Allender, Phyllis Tickle

As a family, we’ve been studying more about Biblical holidays including the Sabbath. Since we wanted to learn more about Sabbath, I thought this book might help us delve deeper into the topic.

One of the things that I liked about the book is the emphasis on delighting in the Sabbath and not seeing it as a burden. My main problem with the book is that is wasn’t grounded in scripture; it was mainly based upon the author’s opinion. While I agreed with some of what was written, I would have like to see more scripture backing for many of the topics covered.

On a positive note, the book really made me think about Sabbath and what it means. There was a good bit of food for thought which has lead to me wanting to do more research.

Book Description

To rest does not mean to cease all activity.

Bestselling author Dan Allender presents an insightful and fascinating look at the origins and purpose of Sabbath. Serving as volume three in The Ancient Practices series, Sabbath examines the key issues of this oft-misunderstood day of the week.

This “day of delight” as instituted by God has become a dirge for millions of believers. For many, it is simply a break from the busyness of the work week. So, what keeps us from properly understanding, sanctifying, and celebrating this important day? Allender looks at not only the history of this discipline, going all the way back to ancient Israel, but also at the modern manifestations and misunderstandings of its practice.

Allender bases his premise on the Hebrew word for rest, Menuha, which is best translated as “joyous repose, tranquility, or delight.” It is through this lens that he resurrects this lost definition of what it really means to rest.

A volume in the eight book classic series, The Ancient Practices, with a foreword by Phyllis Tickle, General Editor.

I received a copy of this book as a member of BookSneeze to help facilitate the writing of a frank and honest review.