In the world of computers, REST API stands for Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface. It is an architectural style and a set of principles for designing networked applications. In web development, REST is widely used to create efficient APIs that enable communication between different software systems.

However, when it comes to the concept of REST in the Bible, it takes on a different meaning. While many studies focus on the Old Testament’s teachings on rest or Jesus’ interactions with the idea, not many delve into the API (After Pentecost Instruction) given regarding rest.

Understanding the instruction about REST after the events of Pentecost in Acts 2 is important as that event marks the birth of the modern church. The instructions given before this event were for a world that couldn’t fully comprehend the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of the Messiah. As the Messiah, Jesus is the ultimate provider of true rest. Therefore, studying the New Testament’s “REST API” would be the ideal conclusion to a comprehensive study on the topic.

C.S. Lewis, a renowned Christian writer and apologist, incorporated various philosophical and theological influences into his understanding of Christianity. One significant influence on Lewis’s thought was the philosophy of Plato. Here are some aspects of Lewis’s Christianity that can be seen as having Platonic elements:

1. Dualism: Plato’s philosophy posits a distinction between the physical world (the realm of appearances) and the ideal world of Forms or Ideas. Similarly, Lewis embraced a form of dualism in his theological views. He believed in a clear distinction between the material world and the spiritual realm, emphasizing the existence of a transcendent reality beyond the physical.
2. Transcendence and Idealism: Both Plato and Lewis emphasized the existence of a higher reality or transcendent realm. Plato’s Forms were seen as perfect, unchanging ideals that served as the true essence behind the imperfect physical manifestations. Similarly, Lewis portrayed God as the ultimate reality and the source of all perfection, with the physical world being a shadow or reflection of that divine reality.
3. Hierarchy of Being: Plato’s philosophy includes a hierarchical view of reality, with different levels of existence ranging from the lowest physical realm to the highest realm of the Forms. Lewis drew upon this idea in his writings, particularly in his book “The Great Divorce,” where he depicted a hierarchical structure of existence and portrayed the journey toward God as an ascent through different levels of being.
4. Soul and Immortality: Plato’s philosophy emphasized the immortality of the soul, which Lewis also embraced. Lewis believed in the eternal nature of the soul and its capacity for a personal relationship with God beyond the confines of the physical world.
5. Intellectual and Rational Approach: Plato valued reason and intellectual pursuit as a means to discover truth and understand the ultimate reality. Lewis, who himself was a scholar and intellectual, also emphasized the importance of reason and rationality in his apologetic works, arguing for the compatibility of faith and reason.

It is worth noting that while Lewis incorporated Platonic elements into his Christianity, his theological views were not solely based on Platonism. He also drew from other philosophical traditions, such as Aristotelianism and the writings of medieval Christian thinkers. Lewis synthesized various ideas and concepts to develop his unique perspective on Christianity.

The term “Cosmos” refers to an orderly universe, and modern scientific advancements have greatly contributed to our understanding of its enormity and the Earth’s unique position within it. However, the perception of the cosmos has changed dramatically over time, even within our recent history.

When it comes to interpreting ancient cosmology from the Bible, scholars suggest understanding it within its ancient Near Eastern cultural context. On episode 73 of the Rethinking Scripture Podcast, we explore how ancient cosmology impacts our experience of sabbath rest.

John H. Walton, an Old Testament scholar, has extensively studied ancient Near Eastern cosmology, specifically the cosmology of the Israelites in the biblical era. He argues that their understanding of the cosmos was vastly different from modern scientific cosmology and should not be interpreted as such.

In ancient cultures, including the Israelites, the cosmos was seen as a functional and ordered system rather than a material one. Ancient cosmology focused on the functions and roles of various elements in the cosmos, rather than their physical composition.

According to Walton, the biblical creation account in Genesis 1 can be understood in light of this ancient cosmology. It is important not to read modern scientific concepts into ancient cosmology, but rather to understand it on its own terms.

Similarly, divine rest is a concept deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern culture. Genesis 2:2-3 describes divine rest not as God taking a break or being exhausted after creating the world. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the building of a temple was seen as an act of creation, and once the temple was completed, the deity would take up residence in it.

When the Bible speaks of God resting on the seventh day, it suggests that God has taken up his residence in the cosmic temple he has just created. Furthermore, the Hebrew word used for “rest” in Genesis 2:2-3 is “shabat,” related to the word “sabbath.” This suggests that the concept of divine rest is closely linked to the idea of the sabbath, a day of physical rest and worship in ancient Israelite culture.

The observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, has a long and complex history in America. The Puritans who settled in New England in the 1600s were known for their strict observance of the Sabbath, and laws were enacted to enforce Sabbath-keeping. During the colonial period, the dominant form of Christianity was Congregationalism and the Sabbath was strictly observed. With the Great Awakening in the 1700s, a more relaxed attitude towards the Sabbath emerged, and the revivalist movement led by figures such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield encouraged a more joyful and less legalistic approach to Sabbath-keeping.

In the 19th century, Sabbath observance became a matter of controversy as the country became more industrialized and Sunday labor became more common. The growth of immigrant populations, particularly Irish and Catholic immigrants, added to the diversity of Sabbath-keeping practices in America.

In the 20th century, the rise of leisure time and the decline of religious observance led to a further relaxation of the strict observance of the Sabbath, but for many Americans it remains an important concept, especially in more conservative and religious communities.The specific practices and customs associated with observing the Sabbath can also vary depending on whether one follows the Jewish, Christian, or another religious tradition.

The Bible teaches the importance of rest, both physically and spiritually. In the book of Genesis, God “rested” on the seventh day after giving structure and order to the cosmos (Genesis 1:1-2:3). In Exodus 20:8-11 (and Deuteronomy 5:12-15), the fourth of the Ten Commandments states that every seventh-day should be a day of rest, in remembrance of day when God rested. Many people think this is all the Old Testament has to say on the topic. But there is much more to the concept of sabbath rest.

In the New Testament, in Hebrews 3-4, the author writes about a “rest” that remains for the people of God and encourages believers to strive to enter that rest. This is often misunderstood by Christians to be a reference to spiritual rest in God, which comes from faith in Jesus Christ and his work on the cross. But the author of Hebrews is writing to believers who have already come to faith, and suggests “rest” isn’t automatically triggered by an initial faith experience.

Overall, the Bible emphasizes the importance of taking time for rest and worship, both for physical and spiritual renewal. But what if we’ve misunderstood some of the basic constructs of this concept. The Bible presents a fully developed and robust theology of biblical rest. Modern day believers often truncate the whole theology into just one or two of its parts. What if true sabbath rest isn’t at all what we think it is?

If that’s true… then it might be time to rethink rest.

I spent most of 2016… and some of 2017… completing the “Major Project” for my Doctor of Ministry degree. Attached is a copy of my doctoral work, Beyond the Sabbath’s Shadow: A Biblical Understanding and Application of Godly Rest. If you were hoping for more detail than the Rethinking Rest material affords, you might find that in this project.

You can download a free PDF copy here: Beyond the Sabbath’s Shadow – Gregory D. Hall