History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week

John Nevins Andrews undertook a rigorous historical and theological investigation into one of Christianity's most enduring disputes: which day should be observed as the Sabbath. Published in 1859, this scholarly work traces the seventh-day Sabbath from its divine appointment at Creation, through its observance in ancient Israel, to its place in early Christianity. Andrews then meticulously documents the historical forces, theological arguments, and institutional pressures that gradually elevated Sunday to prominence in Western Christianity. Drawing on biblical texts, church fathers, and historical records, the author constructs a defense of Saturday observance that was influential in shaping Seventh-day Adventist doctrine and continues to provoke discussion among scholars of religious history. The book stands as a window into 19th-century evangelical scholarship at its most methodical, blending close reading of Scripture with broad historical survey. Whether readers approach it as believers seeking theological confirmation or as historians interested in the evolution of Christian practice, Andrews provides an exhaustive record of the debate that has shaped Western religious observance.