Sabbath in Christ

Sabbath in Christ

Sabbath in Christ is a thorough, inductive, biblical study of the Sabbath, the covenants, the law and the gospel. It is considered by many to be the best readable work on the Sabbath topic in print. It is endorsed by many leading theologians. (See below) It is the result of years of study and has helped thousands of transitioning Adventists find the truth on the Sabbath Question.<br /><br />Recently Seventh-day Adventist Scholar Ron du Preez authored a book published by Andrews University Press claiming that the Sabbath mentioned "in Colossians 2:16 refers to ancient Jewish ceremonial Sabbaths, and not the weekly Sabbath. Thus, the Seventh-day Sabbath of the Decalogue cannot be regarded as abrogated on the basis of Colossians 2."<br /><br />The first edition of Sabbath in Christ presented abundant biblical evidence that the Sabbath in Colossians 2 does, indeed, refer to the weekly Sabbath. However, because du Preez' book relies heavily on certain Hebrew structures, Ratzlaff asked Old Testament Professor, Dr. Jerry Gladson who is proficient in Hebrew to write a response to du Preez' work. He consented to do this and has given permission to print his response in this edition of Sabbath in Christ. <br /><br />"I am impressed with the clarity, precision, and thoroughness of Dale Ratzlaff's work, Sabbath in Christ. This book is a much-needed treatment of the Sabbath controversy, written with intelligent passion and full of insight and wisdom. Mr. Ratzlaff shows great care in his handling of the complex biblical, historical, and theological issues. This book will be a great encouragement and help to anyone struggling to understand what Scripture says about the Sabbath." John MacArthur, Ph.D., Senior Pastor, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California <br /><br />"I have been engaged in a systematic re-study of your book, Sabbath in Christ. It is an absolutely wonderful work. It is a brilliant masterpiece." Thomas C. Nixon, Ph. D. <br /><br />"Dale Ratzlaff has done us a real service in providing the best all-around treatment of the Sabbath question to date. His discussion is fair, even-handed, and persuasive. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a question about the Sabbath.”—Jerry Gladson, Ph.D., Senior Pastor, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Marietta, Georgia <br /><br />"Is the Seventh Day Adventist church just another denomination among evangelicals who, for some reason, worship on Saturday? That’s what I used to believe. That’s what the SDA church would like you to think since they want to be viewed as evangelical, but they are not! Pastoring in a community not far from the Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI, I was introduced to Dale Ratzlaff’s ministry. In reading Dale’s book, Sabbath in Christ, I quickly understood that their keeping of the fourth commandment, so fundamental to Adventism, is not based on the truth of God’s Word in any way. Dale makes that crystal clear, biblically, theologically and historically. Our true Sabbath is found in Christ alone, and not in the keeping of the Old Covenant sign of the Sabbath given to Israel, nor in the writings of Ellen G. White, the SDA’s prophetess. Dale’s new edition has been strengthened with the additional appendix by Jerry Gladson on Colossians 2:16 which answers the Adventists’ latest attempt to make the Sabbath in this verse the day of Atonement. Read the book, go to God’s Word, and let’s get our theology straight."—Phil Bubar, M.Div., Senior Pastor, The Chapel Evangelical Free Church, St. Joseph, Michigan. <br /><br />“Sabbath in Christ has my wholehearted recommendation because it is a thorough work characterized by responsible exegesis of the biblical texts, language that the lay person can readily understand and knowledge of and sensitivity to the spiritual ‘lot in life’ of sabbatarians. Pastors and Bible-study leaders will find the chapter summaries very helpful in preparing handouts in a series on the Sabbath.”—Rev. Clinton A. Chisholm, Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, Jamaica