Blue laws are laws that restrict or ban certain activities on Sundays, which is traditionally observed as the Christian Sabbath day of rest and worship. The term “blue laws” originated in the 18th century, though the laws themselves date back much earlier. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about blue laws and Sunday observance:
The Old Testament provides the background for the concept of Sabbath rest. The fourth of the Ten Commandments given to Moses states: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God” (Exodus 20:8-10). This command was a core part of God’s covenant with Israel, as the Sabbath was to be set aside as a special day dedicated to the Lord. Violation of the Sabbath command brought harsh consequences (Exodus 31:14-15).
In addition to setting aside the seventh day for rest and worship, God also instituted Sabbath year laws for letting the land rest (Leviticus 25:1-7). The principle of the Sabbath day and Sabbath year was that of trusting God to provide while setting aside regular time to focus on God rather than work. As God declared: “I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the LORD made them holy” (Ezekiel 20:12).
In the New Testament, Jesus had disputes with religious leaders over proper Sabbath observance. He emphasized that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). Jesus claimed lordship over the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8) and did works of healing on the Sabbath over the objections of the Pharisees (Matthew 12:9-14).
The early church began meeting on the first day of the week, Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). Sunday quickly became established as the Christian day of worship, fulfilling the principle of Sabbath rest on the day of Christ’s resurrection. Revelation 1:10 refers to Sunday as “the Lord’s Day.”
While the New Testament abolished certain ritual aspects of Sabbath observance (Colossians 2:16-17), the moral principle of regularly devoting time to rest and worship remains. As Paul encouraged: “Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17).
Based on this biblical foundation, Christianity has traditionally affirmed Sunday as a day of rest, worship, and renewal. Sunday blue laws arose as a way to honor the Sabbath principle in law. In general, blue laws aimed to protect Sunday as a common day of rest and worship by restricting business activities, public events, and certain forms of recreation and entertainment on that day.
The specifics of blue laws have varied greatly over time and region. Some examples of activities commonly prohibited on Sunday under blue laws have included:
– Retail sales of certain goods (in some cases nearly all consumer goods besides food and medicine)
– Motor vehicle sales
– Elective labor such as maintenance, manufacturing, construction
– Most commercial and public recreational activities and entertainment
The state of Virginia pioneered early Sunday restrictions in 1617. By the end of the 17th century, most of the American colonies had enacted some form of Sunday regulations, which were largely carried over as state laws after the American Revolution. Additional restrictions arose through the 19th century as the temperance movement aimed to curb liquor sales on Sundays.
In 1961, the US Supreme Court ruled in McGowan v. Maryland that blue laws prohibiting commercial activities on Sunday were not inherently religious and did not violate the Establishment Clause, provided that the state had a rational basis for enacting Sunday closures that was not solely religious. Since that time, blue laws in America have been gradually relaxed through legislative and judicial action. While general Sunday shopping bans have been overturned, some restrictions remain in place in certain states and localities, such as on car sales, alcohol sales, and hunting.
The waning of blue laws reflects changing cultural attitudes toward Sunday observance, as consumerism, leisure activities, and diversified work schedules have increasingly pressed against the common day of rest. In evaluating blue laws, Christians have taken differing perspectives:
– Some see value in maintaining Sunday closures for public order, health, and protecting time for rest, worship, and family. They aim to uphold the Sabbath principle through legislation in a predominantly Christian cultural context.
– Others emphasize the New Testament view of the Sabbath as moral but not strictly legal, focused on internal attitudes rather than external requirements. They highlight principles of Christian liberty and freedom of conscience.
– Yet others adopt an intermediate view, supporting some minimal Sunday restrictions that allow for worship while opposing rigid regulations.
Debates continue over whether and to what degree blue laws have a place in a pluralistic society. The biblical materials indicate that regular Sabbath observance is a moral imperative, but that the spiritual principle should not be imposed legalistically. Regardless of specific laws, Christians are called to honor the Lord’s Day themselves and be wise in their approach to this ancient practice.