Book Review: "Fasting" by Scot McKnight

This is another book from the Ancient Practices Series.  This one, obviously, deals with the practice of fasting.  Mr. McKnight discusses the various forms of fasting and the motivations that lead to fasting.  He does a good job of giving the advantages and disadvantages one may find while practicing this ancient art of discipleship.

I came to this book with very little knowledge of the true art or reason of fasting.  All I really knew was that people, Catholics, gave up something for Lent each year.  This was usually soda pop or chocolate.  Every once and a while some one would be really bold and give up TV!  Mr. McKnight does a great job of connecting the reason for fasting to the actual act of fasting.  He puts it into a simple A leads to B may lead to C formula.  He makes a clear case for fasting to be in RESPONSE to a sacred moment.  He stresses that fasting is NOT the motive but the response.

He also promotes the idea of "whole-body spirituality."  This means that our bodies shouldn't be thought of separately from our spirit.  It should be thought of as another aspect of our spirit.  When we are committed to prayer or works for God, our bodies should be a part of that action.  This is the same reason that people may raise their hands during worship, kneel in prayer, or genuflect.   I find it interesting to think of fasting in the same context as the previous actions.

I also appreciated the fact that the author addresses the dangers in fasting.  There can be a lot of misuse of the practice.  He does a good job of touching on the many ways that fasting can be misused.

Would I recommend this book?  The answer would be "Yes" for someone who is just starting in investigate the practice.  I don't feel like I fully understand the art or practice of fasting but I do have a much better grasp.  If you have fasted before and feel like you have a full understanding of the hows and whys then you may need a more in depth book.

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