On Sat, 18 Aug 2001 00:15:13 +0100 "iain.strachan2"
<iain.strachan2@ntlworld.com> writes:
>
> This thread was spawned off with a general comment of mine on the
> godlessness of society, and the way Christians compromise - the
> other
> example, which wasn't picked up on was the number of Christians who
> think
> it's OK to have sex before marriage. I'd be interested to hear your
> views
> on this one.
>
> I feel there has been a gradual eroding of values and standards - we
> do
> things because the rest of society tells us it's OK. A trivial
> example;
> since Sunday trading was introduced in Britain, a number of
> Christians I
> know do go (guiltily) to shops on Sunday. Is this right, or not?
> The fact
> is that it's convenient. And though I don't as a rule go to shops
> on
> Sunday, I go to restaurants or pubs on a Sunday. Am I hypocritical
> to do
> this? I don't know - but it certainly is easy to slip into the
> habits of
> the rest of society, without considering what is the true Christian
> perspective on this.
>
> Best,
> Iain.
>
>
My impression is that the notion that Sunday is the Christian Sabbath is
more Victorian than anything else, though it may have some earlier roots.
I understand that the earliest Christians did not have a day off. The
first day of the week was the time for worship, but services were held
before and perhaps after the day's work. You have to recall that the
environment for most was pagan, which seems not to have made distinction
among days--except for special holidays. So I ascribe the matter of
shopping, etc., on Sunday to mores, without a theological foundation.
I understand that a day of rest is beneficial. Most workers in Western
countries get two a week, and may get more as the 10-hour four-day work
week is implemented. But this is the US view, for I think European
workers already have a shorter work-week. But the rest day does not have
to be (or include) Friday, Saturday or Sunday, Nor does everyone have to
have it simultaneously.
As to what an individual does, there is a principle in Romans 14 (which
speaks also of the day, vv. 5f). What you feel you should not do, you
should not do. On other matters, does the Word speak clearly on
fornication?
Dave
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