Fasting

Scot McKnight begins his book with a selection of brief quotations. After hearing input on the subject from David, Isaiah, Athanasius, Augustine, Calvin, Andrew Murray and others we get to hear the author's thesis. He defines fasting as "the natural, inevitable response of a person to a grievous sacred moment in life." Throughout the book, McKnight reiterates that fasting should not be seen as a means to an end. Fasting is not to be instrumental. Rather, fasting should be responsive.

In order to help us to approach fasting as a natural response, McKnight spends some time arguing for the organic unity of the body and spirit. He addresses several misguided views of the body. "urging folks today to fast is like urging them to milk their own cows -- just as there are no cows in their backyard, there is no body in their perception of spirituality." McKnight proposes that when we perceive that our bodies and spirits are unified it will become natural for us to express spiritual grief and pain through our bodies -- through fasting.

The brief "Part 2" is full of prudent advice for potential fasters/leaders.

As McKnight takes us on a journey of exploration, revealing to us many facets of fasting, one theme is predominant. McKnight wants the reader to come away with the understanding that fasting is not about getting something you want. Fasting is to be the natural response of a person in grief or need. It is at this point that an otherwise enjoyable and informative (obviously well researched) book falls short. Though the thesis is appealing, at several points it seems forced. I commend McKnight for allowing in data that does not support his thesis. I'm just disappointed that he did not change his thesis to fit that data. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.



Thanks to Nelson for the review copy.