Super Bowl Sabbath

[BobRyan]

Adventist Review Article: Super Bowl Sabbath

http://www.adventistreview.org/141511-26

Quote:

But how would a Seventh-day Adventist Christian respond to a Super Bowl Sabbath—especially when the sports/entertainment industry holds such a large place in the American psyche? If Super Bowl Sabbath had been the option for Super Bowl XLVIII, what would have been our call on the playing field of life?

One of the options in the article is that some might treat the Super Bowl the same on Sabbath as they would were it held on Sunday.

As horrific as that might sound -- I started to look into this subject over a year ago and I find that there is more truth than fiction to that idea.

In fact it would be great if the church membership "knew" to treat it the same on Sabbath as they would on Sunday.

Thoughts?

in Christ,

Bob

[thx4mercy]

In fact it would be great if the church membership "knew" to treat it the same on Sabbath as they would on Sunday.

Sorry, but I'm a little slow sometimes. What exactly are you saying here? Oh.......are you maybe suggesting that they shouldn't be anymore interested in it on Sunday, than they would be on Sabbath?

[BobRyan]

Indeed. that is what I found out. Before that - I did not even know she mentioned the game at all.

In any case I like the fact that the author of the article had the awareness to address the sacred cow with the idea that the issue deals with our Christian walk in some way.

[Gregory Matthews]

I did not understand it either. So, I read the article. HEre is an important part from that article:

Quote:

But the NFL already had plays in its game book for just such a scenario. Contingency plans were announced: the game might be switched from the traditional Sunday time slot to a Friday, Saturday, or even a Monday date. Throughout the preceding week, continuously updated weather forecasts were closely monitored to see whether the big game would be changed. In the end, however, the Super Bowl was held as scheduled.

What If?

Imagine what might have happened, though, if the day of the Super Bowl had been moved from the traditional Sunday time slot to Saturday. For the majority of those involved in the sports and entertainment world, it would have been, at most, a relatively minor incident. It would still have been held on the weekend. Most employers wouldn’t have had to worry about their employees calling in sick en masse on, say, a Friday or a Monday. Television coverage would have remained high. Hotels would still have had rooms available on a weekend when business travelers were not booking. No problem, right?

But how would a Seventh-day Adventist Christian respond to a Super Bowl Sabbath—especially when the sports/entertainment industry holds such a large place in the American psyche? If Super Bowl Sabbath had been the option for Super Bowl XLVIII, what would have been our call on the playing field of life?

The writer of the article suggested that one should neither watch the game on Sabbath, nor should they record it an watch the recording later.

[thx4mercy]

OK, I guess I am not understanding what you are getting at. Are you thinking that people shouldn't have sports be such a priority in their life, or what?

[BobRyan]

What would have happened if the author had quoted this and found a way to work it into his discussion of the subject?

Quote:

Christ looks upon a world filled with the din of merchandise and trade, with the dishonesty and scheming of buyers and sellers. In their desire to get gain, men have lost sight of the laws of justice and equity. “It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.” Satan has devised a multitude of ways in which to keep men from serving God. He has invented sports and games, into which men enter with such intensity that one would suppose a crown of life was to reward the winner. At the horse races and football matches, which are attended by thousands and thousands of people, lives for which Christ shed His blood are thrown away. What will become of the souls of the men and boys whose lives are thus extinguished? Will they be counted worthy of the redemption which Christ died to secure for them? {RH September 10, 1901, par. 5}

Looking upon these God-dishonoring scenes, Christ asks, “What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” He calls the attention of men to the nobler world which they have lost from view. He points them to the threshold of heaven, flushed with the glory of the infinite God. {RH September 10, 1901, par. 6}

Some of the most popular amusements, such as football and boxing, have become schools of brutality. They are developing the same characteristics as did the games of ancient Rome. The love of domination, the pride in mere brute force, the reckless disregard of life, are exerting upon the youth a power to demoralize that is appalling. {AH 500.3}

Perhaps he would have said "This is how God used to view this subject when speaking of it to one of His prophets - but today He finds nothing in it that is objectionable. Because in reality God would not want to inconvenience us. He likes the path we are on and fully approves.".

In fact maybe he could have added "sports on Sabbath can't really be all that bad - after all isn't there some Christian in Europe that has chosen to play some sort of sport on Sabbath?"

Who knows?

in Christ,

Bob

[BobRyan]

OK, I guess I am not understanding what you are getting at. Are you thinking that people shouldn't have sports be such a priority in their life, or what?

I have always thought there should be balance but that we should be encouraged to get exercise and that sports can be very healthy.

And when it came to the super bowl subject or football in general - I just assumed this was a topic that Ellen White never talked about.

So here is my question for those on this board - when have you ever seen one of those quotes above - mentioned in the Review or in the pulpit? (For me it has been 'never' -- until I found it on my own and mentioned it myself.)

in Christ,

Bob

[Gregory Matthews]

Quote:

Perhaps he would have said "This is how God used to view this subject when speaking of it to one of His prophets - but today He finds nothing in it that is objectionable. Because in reality God would not want to inconvenience us. He likes the path we are on and fully approves.".

In fact maybe he could have added "sports on Sabbath can't really be all that bad - after all isn't there some Christian in Europe that has chosen to play some sort of sport on Sabbath?"

O.K. I acknowledge your sarcasm.

[Gregory Matthews]

Quote:

What would have happened if the author had quoted this and found a way to work it into his discussion of the subject?

Why should he have written it that way?

The REVIEW, as does most any publication, has guidelines for publication of articles. Those guidelines include length and number of points made--focus on a main point and do not hit everything with a shotgun approach.

Write it up as you think it should have been written and see if it is accepted for publication.

[Woody]

I can't believe we're back to discussing football. The last time I saw Bob on this site - he was sharing the same quotes. Some things remain the same.

[Kountzer]

The Super Bowl starts in the evening, about 5pm. The sunsets early at the beginning of February. A sabbath keeper should be able to watch most of the game.

I seldom watch most of the Super Bowl anyway. I am usually working p/t. There's too much hype surrounding the game.

[Kevin H]

But there wasn't a Super Bowel XLVIII. There was a concert and some members of the Seattle Seahawk Football team were seen walking across the field at will before of after the concert.

[BobRyan]

Adventist Review Article: Super Bowl Sabbath

http://www.adventistreview.org/141511-26

Quote:

But how would a Seventh-day Adventist Christian respond to a Super Bowl Sabbath—especially when the sports/entertainment industry holds such a large place in the American psyche? If Super Bowl Sabbath had been the option for Super Bowl XLVIII, what would have been our call on the playing field of life?

One of the options in the article is that some might treat the Super Bowl the same on Sabbath as they would were it held on Sunday.

As horrific as that might sound -- I started to look into this subject over a year ago and I find that there is more truth than fiction to that idea.

In fact it would be great if the church membership "knew" to treat it the same on Sabbath as they would on Sunday.

Thoughts?

[BobRyan]

when the non-SDA is "evangelized" on the need to "keep the real Sabbath" oh how many SDAs are quick to "see the light" that those non-SDAs really do need to accept the Word of God on that point.

When the non-SDA is "evangelized" on the need to "not eat pork, rats, cats, bats ... etc" -- oh how many SDAs are quick to "see the light" that those non-SDAs really do need to accept the Word of God on that point.

Same goes with hell not burning forever, or our dead not talking to us or ...

But when there is something that actually steps on SDA toes - how quickly some will rush back into the weeds - and bushes, hiding out.. with every duck-and-dodge tactic ever tried by even the best of the non-sda avoidance groups.

Yet it is certainly true that if all were doing that - there would be no last day message being accepted by anyone who had not already accepted it. I wonder if God fails to notice that same problem.

your thoughts?

in Christ,

Bob

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

But when there is something that actually steps on SDA toes - how quickly some will rush back into the weeds - and bushes, hiding out..

I'd really be interested in what some of those things are that step on the SDA toes.

"“When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin)...."1 Kings 8:46 NKJV

God cares! Jesus saves!

[CoAspen]

Hi Woody,

Ya, samo-samo, Some things never change...we have a limited number subjects to harp on!!

Congrats!!

[JoeMo]

Call me a Badventist" if you want to; but my response is "who cares?" People have the freedom on conscience to observe the Sabbath any way they want to. If you think it's a sin to watch (or even record) the Super Bowl, then don't do it.

If watching (or recording) a Super Bowl on Sabbath is a sin for SDA's isn't it a sin for everyone? After all, Sabbath is Sabbath. On the other hand, didn't Jesus die for the for all sinners? Hopefully that includes a wretch like me. I guarantee I've done worse things than watch TV on Sabbath.

[BobRyan]

when the non-SDA is "evangelized" on the need to "keep the real Sabbath" oh how many SDAs are quick to "see the light" that those non-SDAs really do need to accept the Word of God on that point.

When the non-SDA is "evangelized" on the need to "not eat pork, rats, cats, bats ... etc" -- oh how many SDAs are quick to "see the light" that those non-SDAs really do need to accept the Word of God on that point.

Same goes with hell not burning forever, or our dead not talking to us or ...

But when there is something that actually steps on SDA toes - how quickly some will rush back into the weeds - and bushes, hiding out.. with every duck-and-dodge tactic ever tried by even the best of the non-sda avoidance groups.

Yet it is certainly true that if all were doing that - there would be no last day message being accepted by anyone who had not already accepted it. I wonder if God fails to notice that same problem.

your thoughts?

[BobRyan]

Call me a Badventist" if you want to; but my response is "who cares?" People have the freedom on conscience to observe the Sabbath any way they want to.

That is what all the Sunday keeping people say -

And of course you point out that you feel no need to wake them out of that state after all - they have free will. (And as SDAs we all agree with free will.)

and of course I agree with your point that you have the free will to take such actions - so also did Adam and Eve have the free will to make their own choice in the matter that confronted them.

That is the easy part.

in Christ,

Bob

[JoeMo]

Quote:

That is the easy part.

It was easy for them then. It's easy for us to see where they went wrong just like it's easy for us to see how "easy" it was for us to fall into sin; and see how wrong it was with our 20/20 hindsight.

God is so good that He provided a way for us to NOT have to do the hard part - be condemned to oblivion for any sin we may have committed. Through the sacrifice of His beloved Son, the penalty (I believe even Adam's and Eve's penalty) was paid; and we are all reconciled to God.

You talk of Sabbath observance. I am convicted on the truth of the 7th-Day Sabbath. It is intimately intertwined with my relationship with Christ. But I can't force that on anyone else any more than I could force abstinence from pork. Witnessing about my belief works better for me than entering into a theological debate about the validity of the Sabbath Day. If, upon finding out I am a Sabbath-keeper, they want to know more, they can ask. If they don't want to know more, that is their choice. It's the same with Super Bowl Sabbath. We are not the Sabbath enforcers for other people.

Is it our job to bring people to Adventism or to bring them to Christ? They aren't necessarily the same thing.

[M. T. Cross]

Bob, did you once try out for a football team and get rejected or something? There are a lot of physical and violent sports out there and you are really fixated on football. Makes me wonder if there is a deeper issue that maybe you need to address and get off of your chest. If so, we are here for you fella!

[CoAspen]

Agree, JoeMo....some would have us believe that God has a check off list! The only list I have found or heard of is the ones made up by humans. Super Bowl, Saturday or Sunday....keeping anyone out of heaven....pork eating.... I would suggest that not careing for those around us and being of service to them in their needs is the what will keep a person out of heaven....I read that in the NT, if anyone is wondering!!

[JoeMo]

Quote:

If so, we are here for you fella!

Good point MT. You show more mercy and grace than I do.

Bob, I apologize for sounding caustic.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

Is it our job to bring people to Adventism or to bring them to Christ? They aren't necessarily the same thing.

Are you sure?

"And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him."1 John 2:3-5 NLT

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”"John 13:35 NKJV

Jesus/God saves!

[Gregory Matthews]

Well, people may come to Christ without coming to Adventism, at the time they came to Christ.

People have come to Adventism without coming to Christ at that time.