Torch, Spring/Summer 2011

COVER: SCOTT HUCK | CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY “It is an ironic habit of human beings to run faster when they have lost their way.” This quotation, attributed to existentialist philosopher Rollo May, is an astute observation on the human condition. The god of our culture is speed, and we kneel at the altars of newer, faster, and more. Our American economy is measured by productivity. In the marketplace, multitasking is a valued and employable skill. Everyone’s looking for a superhuman who can effortlessly spin 36 plates in the air and get by on four hours of sleep. “Time is money,” they say. “You can sleep when you’re dead.” This “do more” philosophy has extended beyond the workplace to the heart of religious culture. After all, it’s easier to measure spiritual devotion by the number of church committees you serve on than by God’s standard — looking at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). God gave Moses just 10 commandments (Ex. 20), and taking time for Sabbath rest was number four, right there near the top of the list. And yet, this is the commandment we find easiest to dismiss. Remembering the Sabbath means acknowledging that God alone sustains the universe, not our ceaseless striving. Sabbath means developing an intentional rhythm of work and rest where we speak to God in the quiet and hear His voice. This is sacred time He wants us to keep holy. In today’s 24/7 world, thousands of years after Mount Sinai, remembering the Sabbath is countercultural. Our bodies and souls were designed for regular intervals of rest, yet we fill our lives with chaos, noise, and distraction. When we ignore God’s commandment, we pay the price in our physical health, emotional well- being, and spiritual vitality. This edition of Torch explores the topic of biblical, Sabbath rest — why we need it, how we can reclaim it, and how we best reflect Christ when we intentionally leave room for God to interrupt our schedules with His plans. God values and loves us because He made us and redeemed us, not because of anything we produce or achieve. God is honored when our work is marked by diligence, excellence, and integrity. We also honor Him, the Giver of every good gift, when we rest in His love. William E. Brown, Ph.D. President of Cedarville University Tuning Out the Noise Making Sense of Today’s Critical Issues From a Biblical Perspective