Subversive Sabbath

Subversive Sabbath: The Surprising Power of Rest in a Nonstop World by Dane Ortlund

Review by Joanna Hoffman

Is taking a Sabbath still relevant or even required in the New Testament? Is it lazy to take 24 hours completely “off” every week? Is it even possible to do this if you’re running a home and a family? Other Christians don’t “practice a Sabbath”, why should I? What should I do on a Sabbath? Who really benefits and how from this practice?

These questions and many more are addressed, and yes, I said “addressed”, not all are “answered” in this destabilizing and challenging book. In his book, Subversive Sabbath: The Surprising Power of Rest in a Nonstop World” A.J. Swoboda does not attempt to guilt anyone into “sabbathing” (as that would completely defeat the goal of rest); nor does he settle, as many do, with it being an abstract spiritual idea that one does not apply practically.

Swoboda attempts to show us what is at the Lord’s heart for the Sabbath. And first and foremost, as the title suggests, to truly take a Sabbath is to turn culture and human nature on its workaholic, fast-paced, self-sufficient head. Where we find pride and worth and accomplishment in the doing, God invites us into one day out of every seven where we can reconfirm that ALL our pride, worth and accomplishment is found in God alone.

“Sabbath is not a reward for a job well done. Sabbath is the result of a world that is oriented toward a good and generous and loving God.”

This book is so dense, so thought-provoking, so full of life-changing and soul-refreshing Truth, that I find it hard to condense to just a few paragraphs. I will admit there was a definite lull in the middle, but push through! Just my written quotes alone would be too long for a review. I highly recommend this book not just to individuals but to couples and small groups to read together and discuss. Let’s figure out together how we are called to follow all 10 of God’s commandments as they are LIFE-giving. 

What defines our culture? What defines your life? How do you answer the friendly question, “How have you been?” If you’re like me the off-the-cuff answer is often “Busy” and then I give a run-through of all that I’ve done. Worse yet, is the moodiness, discouragement, and even near depression that can come when plans change, when I decide to take some time off and then wonder what I should “do first” during my downtime. If I dared to sit listlessly I might even have to face some of my deep down dreaded questions like, “Does anything I do even make a difference?” or “am I being lazy right now? Is this okay?” or “What’s going to be waiting for me when I get back to work?”