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God, Time and the Sabbath: a Brief Historical-Theological Survey

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God, Time and the Sabbath: a Brief Historical-Theological Survey Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Master's Theses Graduate Research 2020 God, Time and the Sabbath: A Brief Historical-Theological Survey Francis Gayoba [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses Part of the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Gayoba, Francis, "God, Time and the Sabbath: A Brief Historical-Theological Survey" (2020). Master's Theses. 185. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses/185 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT GOD, TIME, AND THE SABBATH: A BRIEF HISTORICAL-THEOLOGICAL SURVEY by Francis Gayoba Adviser: Denis Fortin ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Thesis Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: GOD, TIME, AND THE SABBATH: A BRIEF HISTORICAL-THEOLOGICAL SURVEY Name of researcher: Francis Gayoba Name and degree of faculty adviser: Denis Fortin, Ph.D. Date Completed: August 2020 Problem This study takes Fernando Canale’s work as a starting point, which has demonstrated that unbiblical philosophical presuppositions have undergirded many forms of Christian theology. Of specific interest to this thesis is the presupposition of divine timelessness or temporality, which may have consequences on various doctrines. This study examines the possible influence of these presuppositions on the meaning of the Sabbath, as seen in the writings of Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Andreas Carlstadt, Oswald Glaidt, Andreas Fischer, Nicholas Bownd, and Theophilus Brabourne. The problem this thesis addresses is whether an observable connection can be made between one’s view of divine time and one’s view of Sabbath time, as seen in the writings of these authors. Method This study examines the writings of selected authors that address the theology of Sabbath (regardless of which day they espouse) and attempt to identify concepts that come as a result of their presuppositions. Four historical segments are examined: (1) medieval Christianity, (2) the Magisterial Reformation, (3) the Radical Reformation, and (4) the English Reformation. Authors were selected based on whether they had substantial writings on the theology of the Sabbath. To provide background and context to their view of Sabbath time, key relevant areas of Sabbath theology will be examined, namely: creation, the Decalogue, the nature of rest, and any relevant theological positions that may be unique to these individuals. The positions of each author will be described in turn, followed by a comparison and analysis at the end of each section. Some observations will also be made as to the progression of ideas, and the possible influence of one theologian to another. All observations from these Sabbath theologies are synthesized and some implications in the divine time-Sabbath relationship are proposed. Conclusion This study concludes that a correlation between divine time and Sabbath time is observable in the writings of these authors. Those who appear to subscribe to a timeless view of God tend to view the Sabbath atemporally, minimizing the need for a specific temporal observance. On the other hand, there is an apparent openness to the temporal view of God’s time on the part of those who view the Sabbath temporally, emphasizing a specific day of observance based on creation and the fourth commandment. The relationship between divine time and Sabbath time is observably more of correlation than causation. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary GOD, TIME, AND THE SABBATH: A BRIEF HISTORICAL-THEOLOGICAL SURVEY A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Religion by Francis Gayoba August 2020 ©Copyright by Francis Gayoba 2020 All Rights Reserved GOD, TIME, AND THE SABBATH: A BRIEF HISTORICAL-THEOLOGICAL SURVEY A thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Religion by Francis Gayoba APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: ______________________________ Denis Fortin, Ph.D., Adviser ______________________________ John C. Peckham, Ph.D. ______________________________ ______________________________ Martin F. Hanna, Ph.D. Date Approved Dedicated to Tatay, Nanay, Bingbing, and my Andrews family. Your love and friendship have been to me a resting place. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 Background of the Problem ......................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................ 6 Purpose ........................................................................................................................ 7 Justification ................................................................................................................. 7 Delimitations ............................................................................................................... 8 Presuppositions ............................................................................................................ 8 Methodology ............................................................................................................... 9 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................... 10 HISTORICAL-THEOLOGICAL SURVEY .................................................................... 12 Medieval Theologians ............................................................................................... 12 Augustine of Hippo ....................................................................................... 13 Sabbath and Creation ....................................................................... 13 Sabbath Commandment ................................................................... 15 Sabbath Rest..................................................................................... 17 Sabbath and Eschatology ................................................................. 18 Sabbath Time ................................................................................... 20 Thomas Aquinas ........................................................................................... 21 Sabbath and Creation ....................................................................... 22 Sabbath Commandment ................................................................... 25 Sabbath Time ................................................................................... 28 Medieval Theologians: Summary and Observations .................................... 29 Magisterial Reformers ............................................................................................... 32 Martin Luther ................................................................................................ 33 Sabbath and Creation ....................................................................... 34 Sabbath Commandment ................................................................... 36 Sabbath Rest..................................................................................... 40 Sabbath Time ................................................................................... 42 John Calvin ................................................................................................... 45 Sabbath and Creation ....................................................................... 46 Sabbath Commandment ................................................................... 49 Sabbath Typology ............................................................................ 51 Sabbath Rest..................................................................................... 54 Sabbath Time ................................................................................... 55 Andreas Carlstadt .......................................................................................... 58 Sabbath Commandment ................................................................... 60 Sabbath Rest..................................................................................... 60 Sabbath and Eschatology ................................................................. 63 Sabbath Time ................................................................................... 63 Magisterial Reformers: Summary and Observations .................................... 64 Radical Reformers ..................................................................................................... 68 Oswald Glaidt ............................................................................................... 70 Sabbath and Creation ....................................................................... 71 Sabbath Commandment ................................................................... 72 Sabbath and Eschatology ................................................................. 73 Sabbath Time ................................................................................... 74 Andreas Fischer ...........................................................................................
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