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Sunday, December 21, 2008

In Memoriam, Samuele Bacchiocchi

Samuele Bacchiocchi January 29, 1938 - December 20, 2008

"Biblical scholar Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi, best known for his teachings on how Sabbath observance shifted toward Sunday worship in much of Christendom, died yesterday at his Michigan home at the age of 70 after a two-year battle with fourth-stage liver cancer."

I have some of his books. I still think I will buy a few more. For a man that Herbert Armstrong no doubt believed was a misled heathen, he epitomized to me the qualities of an ideal Sabbath keeper - far beyond anything HWA achieved. Not a shred of contempt for differing opinions. Not an ounce of condemnation. Loved all. Called all Christians his brothers. Allowed into the Pope's most private archives. Researched his opinion and stayed fast to what he believed, but based on faith and a deep desire to learn the truth. This was a true Christian.

Whether or not you (or I) agree with him, I feel he more than deserves respect.

God rest his soul and comfort his family in their time of loss.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

My own father passed away from liver cancer. My heart goes out to Mr. Bacchiocchi's family.

Due to the nature of how the liver operates and its access to the blood stream, when you get liver cancer you have cancer all over. It's not the way I would choose to go. We don't get to choose.

He blessed many in his life. I am glad to believe that we will see him again.

Anonymous said...

I think you said it all when you used perhaps that most wonderful of all descriptive words on Dr. Bacchiocchi: Christian!

I knew his basic background, but you never really learn the full story in so many cases until a person passes.

I first learned of the good Dr's research through these forums. There have always been arguments over the Sabbath question, and over the years it was not unusual for a sabbatarian poster to write: "Ah, I can see you've never read Bacchiocchi!"

My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Sam's family.

BB