About the Author

Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. has been both a church pastor and theological professor. He is currently President of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in South Carolina and exercises a worldwide expositional ministry.

Publisher's Description

Joey Pipa is known for his warm pastoral application of tough scriptural principles. Here, he takes an authoritative look at the ‘first day’ – the one set aside by the church for worship. This is an area of Church practice in which we find liberal interpretations practiced by evangelical churches and vice versa – often without too much thought involved and an emphasis upon what ‘feels’ right.

Many of these issues are considered unclear, optional, divisive - with the unhealthy result that we tend to avoid the subject altogether. Are we missing out on God’s blessing by the way we celebrate the Lord’s Day - are we too legalistic, too lax? Is the Spirit grieved by our disrespect to God or frustrated by our thralldom to unnecessary restrictions? These and other questions are answered in The Lord’s Day.

Endorsement

This book belongs on the shelf of every Christian's library. Pipa does a wonderful job communicating the theology of the Sabbath, which needs to be done more in Christendom. The Sabbath has not been abrogated, as so many Christians purport. It has been fulfilled in Christ, but the principle of its keeping is perpetual. Pipa addresses key Scripture which others use to show the Sabbath's abrogation, such as Col. 2 and Heb. 4. (He could also use Mt. 24:20 to punctuate his argument.)
Pipa explores the meaning of Is. 58:13,14 to show how the Sabbath day is to be observed. He shows it's not a day to delight is ourselves, but is to be solely Christ-focused, with works of mercy and necessity.
If you are a Christian, don't let this book pass you by! It's very readable and non-technical.