Christian Sabbath observation

[kangamitroo]

I am curious about when/why most Christians left behind a stricter sabbath observance—if there is a moment in history that could be cited, or if it is due to slowly changing cultural trends to secularism? That is, Sunday remains a church day (for most denominations), but people can still work, both inside and outside the home. It is, perhaps, a family day, but not exactly a day of rest, and after church might look the same as any other day.

Please excuse my broad generalization here. I'm sure that there is a great variety of observance within denominations, and from family to family.

this wondering is prompted by reading Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, as well as by a cooking article that referred to baked beans as a "popular Sabbath meal" once upon a time (e.g. in Puritan Boston).

[mamabadger]

I remember the restrictions on Sunday activities in the Little House books. Even playing outside was forbidden for poor Laura.

I cannot speak for other denominations, but in my church the Sabbath is and has always been Saturday, not Sunday.
In the very earliest days of the Church, Christians would keep the Sabbath (Saturday), then meet with other Christians for worship and Communion on Sundays. Sunday services were/are held in commemoration of Christ's Resurrection, not because Sunday is the Sabbath.
Most of the Sabbath requirements were set aside at the same time as other Jewish practices (see Acts). The Apostles decided non-Jewish converts could become Christian without having to observe Jewish practices such as circumcision, kosher food, etc.
We still try to avoid anything which would prevent us from attending church services, and most try not to work or shop on Sundays, but not because we consider it the Sabbath. At the same time, Saturday is still acknowledged in minor ways. For example, during fasting periods, fasting rules are slightly relaxed on Saturdays in celebration of the Sabbath.

[Bluegoat]

I think there are two different questions here.

On the one hand, some would say that Christians do not have to observe the Sabbath at all, that Sunday is not the Sabbath nor supposed to be. So if you take that view, how to observe Sunday takes on a different character.

But I think that you are wondering why many Christians seem to have put more emphasis on Sunday as a day for special religious observance in the past, and are rather lax about it now?

I think it is cultural largely, and I suspect it mostly came out of the 1960's, though it may have started before then.

[Tjej]

I have even seen a change in the church as I was growing up/am an adult now. When I was a child Sunday was more "set apart" and as time has gone on and people have gotten busier schedules and find earning money more important and ... well, it's my interpretation of what I see, but I think it is a cultural shift towards the mass culture and not a thought-out philosophical change that the heart of the Christian faith has chosen.

Tjej

[genifer]

Yeah, Ill speak from a personal perspective which would suggest it is a cultural thing...

I didnt grow up in the church. I grew up in a pretty secular home and sundays were just another day off school work, a day to chill. Now that Im an adult and a christian, I wouldnt know how to set that particular day aside. We go to church. We are just pretty relaxed on that day. Shops are open, if I need something (which I almost always do on that day and since the shops are so close to church) Ill pop in there and pick something up. I dont think Im being disrespectful of that day, or anything like that. I just take time, set time aside to worship, pray quietly and teach the kids/study the Word everyday.

Its gotta be a cultural thing and I think this is why Paul takes the time in one of the epistles (Im hopeless at knowing scripture verses and numbers off the bat) to deal with it saying not to judge another for keeping the sabbath holy or another for not doing so. One day is as another to some and others set specific days aside to meditate, or whatever. So long as everything we do is as to the Lord, its all good!

[MissinNYC]

We do set Sundays apart as a sabbath. We don't do chores or housework, other than what is necessary (ie, if I spill something all over the floor, I'll clean it up). We don't do paid work or anything thatr isn't restful, including kids' sports (because mom or dad has to drive them around), stressful family gatherings, etc. It's wonderful to have a day for church, naps, hanging out as a family, etc.