A Biblical Theology of Sabbath-Keeping Based on the Cosmic Temple Understanding of Creation, Especially for Lay Shepherds in Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California

Abstract

The Sabbath has long been debated, contested, and often ignored. It has fallen prey to legalistic overreach and new covenant apathy. This thesis seeks to develop a biblical theology of the Sabbath that will restore Sabbath-keeping to the twenty-first-century church without falling into Sabbatarianism or discounting the Sabbath as an old covenant relic. The major claim is that understanding the seventh day of creation as God taking up residence in his cosmic temple clarifies a biblical theology of Sabbath-keeping. The implications of this Sabbath rest are applied to the non-vocational lay shepherds at Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. Chapter 1 introduces the research questions that drive this thesis and demonstrates that the Sabbath has its origins in creation week. Chapter 2 surveys the findings of the theological literature on the Sabbath published primarily in the last 30-35 years. Chapter 3 exegetes and analyzes several biblical texts that provide the foundation for developing a biblical theology of the Sabbath. Chapter 4 analyzes biblical texts that teach the cosmic temple understanding of creation week. Several texts from ancient Near Eastern writings are also explored to provide a cultural setting for the Old Testament texts. Chapter 5 synthesizes the research from Chapters 3 and 4 into a biblical theology of the Sabbath. Chapter 6 concludes the study and offers practical suggestions for Sabbath-keeping for the twenty-first-century lay shepherds at Cornerstone Church. The thesis concludes that the Sabbath is a creation ordinance that God intended for all people at all times. ‘Sabbath-keeping’ is defined as stopping one’s everyday work for one day each week, understood as a spiritual discipline, not a rigid, legalistic demand. The conclusions suggest that the ancient Israelites would have understood the Genesis creation narrative as describing God creating a cosmic temple during the first six days, that he entered his cosmic temple on day seven to rest, and in so doing, he established and defined the Sabbath for all time. The implications of God entering his cosmic temple on the seventh day of creation demonstrate that the Sabbath is not a day for adhering to burdensome rules but a day to stop normal activities and demonstrate one’s radical trust in a God who provides all that is needed for life. There is freedom and flexibility in how that day is experienced, but it is a day to experience the peace and stability in trusting him. These conclusions are applied to the lay shepherds at Cornerstone Church, encouraging them to stop their everyday work for one day each week. This weekly practice should provide an environment for spiritual growth and restoration, enabling them to continue their faithful service.