Reading Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster: Chapter 4 (Part 5)

[jenny_islander]

Here are some of the readings Foster suggests on the topic of fasting.

Jesus' example: Luke 4:1-13
What God has to say about fasting: Isaiah 58:1-7 (if you don't read any other passage, read this one!)
Fasting in the early Church: Acts 13:1-3, 14:19-23

Order and Doctrine of a General Fast by John Knox (Scottish Reformed minister and theologian, 1514-1572) on fasting as a universal, not denominational, Christian spiritual discipline

The Holy Exercise of a True Fast by Thomas Cartwright (English Puritan preacher and theologian, 1535-1603) on the difference between fasting for spiritual reasons and for other purposes

Rational Fasting by Arnold Ehret (German-American alternative health practitioner, 1866-1922) on the physical aspects of fasting (note that he is sound on this topic but perhaps not on others)

Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting by Derek Prince (British-American Charismatic missionary and broadcast preacher, 1915-2003) for historical examples of effective fasts

Fasting: A Neglected Discipline by David R. Smith (American, published 1969) recommended especially for its bibliography

God's Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallis (British itinerant Bible teacher in the house church movement, 1922-1988)--Foster calls this one "the best single book [on Christian fasting] on the market today"

Journal of a Fast by Fredrick W. Smith (American, published 1972) for first-hand experiences of a prolonged spiritual fast by an ordinary Joe and spiritual inquirer

Fasting: The Phenomenon of Self-Denial by Eric N. Rogers (American, published 1976) for a survey of religious, social, and medical fasting worldwide