On the seventh day

Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest by Wayne Muller

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars

Summary
Wayne Muller’s thesis is that Sabbath is good. He explores the fundamental need for rest, its origin in creation and its placement in major world religions. There is a fundamental rhythmicity to nature, Muller contends, and that is no accident. We are created to need rest; therefore Sabbath is created for us. As this is a natural truth, Muller finds much support from other faith traditions, with similar rest practices.

Believe
Muller rests heavily on the creation account for his assertion that Sabbath is fundamental to all of nature. God finished the Creative work on the seventh day; in taking his rest, God created peace and rest for the world (37). He also points out that there is an ongoing quality to the Hebrew grammar – that God began to create, an action that continues, as Muller asserts in a circular motion. He sees creation and recreation in cycle (36). Another key theme Muller draws throughout the book is the goodness of creation. From the creation account he echoes God’s declaration that all God made is good. In this Muller finds much in which to rest. There is a fundamental goodness in us; Muller contends that, traces back to the goodness of its Creator. Call it what you will, inner light, hidden wholeness, Buddha nature, imago dei, there is something there that if we slow down we will touch the divine.

Doubt
Muller’s view of the inherent goodness of man is difficult for me to believe. There is the fall, as we evangelicals understand it, which stands in the way of seeing all as good. (I still have much to engage with the Eastern Orthodox view of the fall.) Also in his unbending exhortation for us to enjoy the good around us now, he negates a fuller future rest to come. His “what if?” questioning (79) leaves one wondering if Muller has a belief in an afterlife at all. He seems to argue with Hebrews where it says “There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”

Synthesis
I have little problem with Muller’s references to other religions. I am in agreement with his premise that Sabbath finds its root in creation. If it is indeed that foundational I would expect to find expressions of it in all religions. Those expressions can be edifying to us, especially for a practice we have so thoroughly erased from our culture. I hold to the evangelical view of the fall and the eschatology of the biblical apocalyptic literature. This, however, does not restrict me from agreeing with Muller that the earth, and all creation bear the stamp of the divine, especially we who were created in God’s image. It is then possible (while perhaps paradoxical) to find the goodness and glory of God, even in marred creation.

Application
Muller joins a conspiracy this week to return me to a renewed joy of rhythm in prayer. This week my family and I enter into intentional community with a couple that will be moving in with us. This has given me pause to think about the structure of our community (which we call The Parsonage). Inspired by this and the praying of the psalms in our retreat in everyday life, I have made praying the Liturgy of the Hours part of our communal life. Today I had a chance to introduce the practice to these new Christians. I also have enjoyed the monastic tradition of rest period after lunch. Our twitter account reminds us of our need to rest!


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