Living the Sabbath

Living the Sabbath is part of The Christian Practice of Everyday Life series, dedicated to theological consideration of the concerns of everyday life. Series editors are David S. Cunningham and William T. Cavanaugh. "For Wirzba, Sabbath is a way of life away from a consumer-dominated economy, educational system and home life in order to slow down and appreciate life. Using the lens of the Jewish Sabbath practice, Wirzba looks at contemporary life and explains why the most affluent nation on earth harbors so many discontented and unsatisfied people. . . . Far from merely urging readers to observe Sabbath once a week, this book will humble, fascinate but most of all challenge spiritual seekers to pursue the fullness of Sabbath." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "'Sabbath time' is a concept popular among overworked clergy, but Wirzba penetrates to the core of Sabbath teaching as an indispensable element of biblical thought that must inform Christian practice altogether. Drawing widely on traditional and contemporary sources, he shows how Sabbath principles apply to subjects as apparently diverse as farming and eating, education, recreation, economics, and worship. At last the church has a beautifully written, deeply informed study of Sabbath living that is worthy of a place alongside Abraham Heschel's great work." -- Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School " Living the Sabbath is a cup of cold water for thirsty souls--a cup of rest and delight offered to those of us exhausted and burdened by the frenetic pace of even our 'Christian' busy-ness. Far from the 'working-for-the-weekend' escapism of our consumer society, Wirzba shows how Sabbath-keeping is just as much a Wednesday and Thursday way of inhabiting God's good creation. He bids us to another world and another way of life by painting a picture of how it could be otherwise, providing not formulae and rules but examples and vignettes that invite us to imagine our habits differently. As a beginning to living the Sabbath, make time to read this book!" -- James K.A. Smith, Calvin College