Fasting: A Much Neglected and Much Needed Discipline
By Trevin Wax on Apr 2, 2009 in Book Reviews | 
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It will be unfortunate, yet not surprising, if Fasting, the newest book by Scot McKnight and newest installment in Thomas Nelson’s Ancient Practices series does not sell well. Not suprising - because American evangelicals have shown little appetite for the practice of fasting. Unfortunate - because Scot’s new book is one of the best treatments of this subject to find its way onto Christian bookshelves.
Not too long ago, a seminary friend questioned my desire to fast during the season of Lent. When I asked him why he was opposed to the Lenten practice, he pointed to its lack of prescription in the New Testament as well as the possibility to take such fasting to extremes. My response? ”I don’t think that evangelicals are suffering right now from too much fasting.”
Scot McKnight claims that one of the reasons why we have neglected this ancient discipline is due to an unhealthy view of the body. Philosophically, we grativate toward dualism, which would have us view spiritual disciplines as just that – spiritual. We then miss the biblical view of embodied spirituality – a living out in the body that which one desires and yearns for in the spirit.
For Scot, “fasting is the natural inevitable response of a person to a grievous sacred moment in life” (xx). Therefore, we are wrong to see fasting as a manipulative tool that guarantees results. It is instead a response.
Fasting is a comprehensive and helpful book. I enjoyed Scot’s honesty in describing his struggles with fasting (even as he was writing this book!). The distinctions he makes between normal fasting, absolute fasting and partial fasts (where we abstain from certain kinds of food or certain activities and things) help to clarify what it is that we are doing when we fast.
The greatest strength of the book is Scot’s picture of fasting as a response, never an instrumental practice in which we try to receive something. We go without food because of what has taken place in our hearts.
The book lays out the different ways that fasting serves a response. It can be an expression of repentance, a response to a moment in which we feel we must earnestly seek God, a response to grief (Scot sees grief as the thread that connects all the various fasting practices). Fasting can sometimes be a response to our need for spiritual discipline, a response to our corporate life together, even a response to poverty and injustice.
Again and again, Scot drives the point home: we do not fast to get something. We fast as a response. And if we receive something after or during the fast, it is because God has used the yearning in our heart (expressed through the fast) in order to grace us with more of his presence.
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical anecdotes contained in this book. Scot uses examples throughout church history, and points to people from all spectrums of Christianity. He is not afraid to critique traditions or misguided intentions with the Bible. Though he appreciates the different streams of the church, he does not appreciate them uncritically. He constantly points us back to the Bible. Even men like Francis of Assisi and Dallas Willard are evaluated, appreciated, and critiqued in light of Scripture.
As I came to the end of this book, I could not help but feel challenged and convicted as I considered the apathy often evident in my Christian life. Am I risky enough or take on some of the practices in this book?
Do I respond with a heavy heart to my sinfulness in a way that would take away my appetite?
How much do I truly feel when it comes to motives for grief in this world?
Fasting comes highly recommended. It is a comprehensive treatment of the subject written in terms any layperson can understand. But let me warn you. God may do a work in your life that will then lead you to respond by fasting!
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the last thing Jesus did with His disciples was a feast … the first thing in heaven will be a feast … in the meantime the bridegroom is with us by His Holy Spirit … and we feast daily on the Bread of Life and even thank Him for our daily (physical bread) — seems the greater emphasis of Scripture is eat and drink to the glory of God. the old covenant biblical fasts were “appointed fasts” … where is there to be found a new covenant “appointed fast”?
food is for the stomach and the stomach for food … God will do away with both … until then, as my grandma always said; “BREAK-FAST is the most important meal of the day.
pastor jim sharp | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
Trevin: You really write a good book review. Concise, clear, yet somewhat personal. I appreciate the review of this book on fasting. You have prodded me to seek it out. Thanks and may the Lord bless the ministry of your daily e-mails. I always see it first thing in the morning. — Heath Lloyd
Heath Lloyd | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
Thanks, Heath, for the encouraging words.
Jim,
Why did Jesus say that once the bridegroom will be taken away, his disciples will fast?
Why leave us with instructions about how to fast (not for show) if he didn’t intend for us to continue the practice?
I agree that it is wrong to force people to fast. That kind of idea goes against Scot’s book, which shows fasting to be a response to a grievous moment.
Trevin Wax | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
Jesus assumed his followers would fast when said on the Sermon on the Mount, “When you fast…”
bryanaloha | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
Fasting is a very symbolic thing that was prevelant in the Catholic church for many years. Rembember all those fish fries? They were always on friday as you were supposed to fast from meat that day. I don’t think it has ever caught on with other denominations. One of the definitions of fasting is: A period of such abstention or self-denial. We need to use this definition to take the meaning of fasting to a 21st century level. Instead of fasting from food we, primarily in first world countries, need to fast from our “stuff”. Can you imagine suggesting to you son to “fast” from your Playstation during Lent. I’m sure this would bring complaints to a whole new level as opposed to him to skip a breakfast or lunch. Fasting is about an committment, not an act. So let’s take it to a whole new level.
RJ | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
Fasting is a helpful discipline, but there are appropriate limits to it. I should also point out that it isn’t for everyone.
After withdrawing from over 16 years on prednisone in January 2007, it became possible for me to do without my breakfast in the morning, so I became quite enthusiastic about fasting. In June-July 2008 I spent several weeks fasting on-and-off, and when I wasn’t doing that I was only eating one meal a day. I lost 8 kg (15 lb) and was warned by doctors that the osteoporosis for which I’d been treated could worsen. I then called a moratorium on fasting, and went home from my student flat so my mother could oversee my eating habits. A few months later I read the literature on men with eating disorders, and discovered that I already faced numerous risk factors, before even considering fasting as a spiritual discipline.
Since returning home last September, I have recovered the weight I lost (which I really couldn’t afford to lose anyway), and have joined a support group for men with EDs. Although there is much benefit to be gained from fasting, and the New Testament recommends it too (without specifically commanding it), longer-term fasts should always be initiated in consultation with a doctor.
Paul Clutterbuck | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
Great insight Trevin and heads up on a book I am going to buy! Sometimes I wonder if the say a prayer and all is good mentality that is prevelant in Christianity naturally leads to a mindset that fasting is not needed just like holiness is not needed. Those things are optional for only the monk or the person who needs something from God right now. It has been a battle for me to get away from that mentality and see that the spiritual disciplines are not to convince God of something or earn things but to draw as close to Him as possible.
GW | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
“everything necessary for godliness” — pretty much found in WORD AND SACRAMENTS … how could the apostles (especially the former pharisee; paul) not mandated or at least recommended the old covenant and pre-pentecost discipline of appointed fasts. trevin inquired of me (#3)why the disciples would fast after the bridegroom was taken (this i take to that period of time while they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit — after which … the bridegroom abides with/in the believer for all time.
furthermore … the sermon on the mount issue regarding fasting simply addressed the practice of fasting — didn’t command it “WHEN YOU FAST…” no different than paul respecting the “ways of the synagogue” during the time of transition to the one church.
if fasting is an ordained “means of grace” why does it so quickly inflame the pride of the practitioner. what is there about fasting that wants us to let others know we are doing it? i still see little biblical mandate for fasting now in the days of our full justification by the merits of Christ alone.
it is very difficult to separate the “discipline of fasting” from being perceived as some meritorious work (the very thing warned against) — if fasting is an evidential work then what prompts its practice. is it a fruit of the spirit or does it add something to us that Christ does not already supply. ie: clearly the discipline of prayer is mandated and issues in submission to Christ — if fasting is mandated in some sense — then what is its fruit that some other clearly mandated discipline does not already provide?
pastor jim sharp | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
Jim,
The point you are making is the very point Scot makes in the book. We don’t fast in order to get something. We fast as a response to something. The review lists some of the reasons we fast.
Fasting is not an instrument to get something (even growing in godliness).
I think you’d benefit from Scot’s book. It turns fasting around in a way that avoids the extremes and sees it in a biblical framework.
Trevin Wax | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
thanks brother trevin … i will, Lord willing, read the book. thank you for the stimulating, thougtful and patient interaction. this and previous works you have provided have contributed to my ministry. keep on!
pastor jim sharp | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply