Dan Allender's book 'Sabbath' is not what I expected. And while I appreciate his direct attack on the legalism that cripples so many people and their participation in the Sabbath, the book seems to be more focused on the individual's pleasure in the day and not the honoring of God. He overuses adjectives to sell his point of view, and is more effusive than necessary. I don't believe that the Sabbath day is meant to be one big love-fest, but instead is to be spent in honor of our Creator. Allender seems to be more into a partying mentality.Several sentences in the book jumped out at me, and not in a good way: "The Sabbath is the weekly entry into a taste of lavish, sensuous delight." --p. 79 "If we aspire to a more life-giving delight, then we will need to go further into the heart of the Sabbath. It is a simple principle: we get of God what we desire."--p. 95
In reference to Sabbath wine, he writes: "There are many words for intoxication in the Bible, and the phrase 'gladdening the heart' implies a sweet, slight rounding of the edges, a warm, gentle buzz.-----It takes the edge off, doesn't distort with true intoxication, and allows an entry into pleasure that may not be possible without the dollop of a small draft."--p. 130
Purely on the basis of Allender's unusual point of view, I'd not recommend this book. A deep respect for God the Father seems to be missing, with the reader being led on a merry journey to hedonism rather than worship of the Creator of the Universe. Or maybe I'm just being overly legalistic.
(this book was provided free to review from thomas nelson/booksneeze)
