Judging the Sabbath

Sabbatarians have argued for centuries that the "sabbath" of Colossians 2:16 refers to the Jewish ceremonial sabbaths, and not the Decalogue Sabbath, based on a plain-sense reading of the context. Traditional Christian interpretation of that passage has generally bypassed the context and relied on other arguments, often unexamined by careful exegesis.

In this book, du Preez examines those other arguments. In a wide-ranging engagement with Scripture, he considers relevant exegetical, linguistic, structural, syntactic, and intertextual factors that could be used to support them. In the process, he finds the evidence pointing forcefully against the traditional interpretation.

Grounded firmly on a high view of scripture, du Preez's conclusions challenge any argument that relies on Colossians 2:16 in order to deny the continuing moral imperative of the seventh-day Sabbath.

About the Author

Ron du Preez, originally from South Africa, holds a ThD in theological ethics from the University of South Africa, a DMin in missions from Andrews University, and is a PhD candidate in New Testament studies at the University of the Western Cape. He has taught theology, religion, and ethics in colleges and universities in North America and Africa; is the author and editor of a dozen books; and has been a frequent contributor to scholarly journals in the areas of religion and ethics.

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Preface
Abbreviations for Bibles

Part One
CHAPTER 1: Colossians 2:16 in Perspective
CHAPTER 2: Šabb?t in the Old Testament
CHAPTER 3: Septuagint Rendering of Šabb?t
CHAPTER 4: "Sabbath" in New Testament Greek
CHAPTER 5: Sabbata and Ceremonial Sabbaths
CHAPTER 6: The Calendar Sequence
CHAPTER 7: "Feasts" in Scripture
CHAPTER 8: Sabbath and "Shadow"
CHAPTER 9: Summary of Part One

Part Two
CHAPTER 10: Use of the Old Testament in Paul's Epistles
CHAPTER 11: The Linguistics of Hosea 2:11
CHAPTER12: Literary Structures in Hosea
CHAPTER 13: Literary Structures in Colossians 2
CHAPTER 14: Summary of Part Two

APPENDIX A: Translating Greek Words for "Sabbath"
APPENDIX B: Linguistic Markers for the Hebrew Šabb?t
APPENDIX C: Linguistic Markers for the Greek Sabbaton and Sabbata
APPENDIX D: Notes and References

Index of Authors
Index of Scripture References
Index of Extrabiblical References

Title: Judging the Sabbath: Discovering What Can't Be Found in Colossians 2:16
Author: Ron du Preez
ISBN-13: 978-1-883925-62-8
Year: 2008
Pages: 208