Although I agree with you concerning Calvin's view of the Sabbath; I have found that the issue of Calvin's view of the Sabbath is debated in the Reformed community.
Surprise, surprise!! But why are YOU surprised, Tom? There has been a growing antipathy and even opposition/rejection of the Fourth Commandment for quite a number of years now, particularly in the USA. Haven't you heard of NCT (New Covenant Theology)?
Theologians such as Richard Gaffin disagree strongly that Calvin held to the same understanding of the Sabbath that the WCF teaches. Gaffin and many others believe that the Puritans returned to Scholasticism and created the Lord’s Day as the Reformed Church knows it today.
Apparently Gaffin quotes Calvin (though I don’t have a reference) “"...we ought to observe this order of having some day of the week, whether one or two. But all of that can be left up to the liberty of Christians."
Gaffin has written that he is persuaded that Calvin wasn't a strict Sabbatarian, but for someone to say that he "disagrees strongly" would be incorrect. In the article I referenced Gaffin is mentioned and his objections dealt with more than adequately with direct quotes IN CONTEXT from Calvin's writings. I'll try and get permission, D.v., from the publisher/author to reproduce the article on The Highway so that you and many others can read it.
The previous Calvin quote was taken from the Institutes where Calvin offers his exposition of the “Moral Law”.
Many Reformed theologians also believe that the 4th Commandment was ceremonial, not moral.
It appears that Calvin isn’t as clear on this issue as I thought.
What appears to be true is that you are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine by men who you apparently give much credibility. Gaffin, e.g., has embraced NPP/FV to some degree. He has also been known in his later years to hold to other "questionable" views. He no longer can be deemed reliable as he once was. This seems to be a pattern of late with those who were once very conservative but then change their view(s) or develop "new" ones which are heterodox. The quest for fame is the apparent driving force. It isn't enough to stay on the "old paths" and simply to be faithful to the Scriptures in those matters which have been hammered out over centuries of debate.
As for the view that sees the Fourth Commandment as "ceremonial, not moral"...
Give me a break! How can anyone exegetically rip the Fourth Commandment out of the nine and call it ceremonial while maintaining that the others are moral?
![[Linked Image]](http://the-highway.com/Smileys/duh2.gif)
. It just goes to show how far people will go to twist the Bible around and turn it on its' head to prove a presupposition which is not taught in the Bible. (2Pet 3:16) Need I remind you how some "notable" men have done the same with the doctrine of Creation?
Perhaps you are spending too much time in the wrong places, Tom, where these aberrant views are being held and/or defended?
![[Linked Image]](http://the-highway.com/Smileys/Ponder.gif)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.the-highway.com/pilgrim/pil_sig2.gif)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.the-highway.com/Smileys/pencil.gif)
