As an avid reader, I receive free books from Thomas Nelson Publishing in
exchange for honest and candid reviews. Scot McKnight's book, FASTING, is
one of the best I have ever read. I have been a student of the Bible for
over forty years, and throughout the time of reading this book, I kept
thinking, "Why haven't I heard any of this before?" Having thoroughly
researched the subject, McKnight offers, what I believe to be, a very
biblical view of fasting. The reason for fasting, the author asserts, isn't
to receive something from God or to prove our piety. Rather, fasting is a
response to a holy or sacred moment occurring in our lives. Such a time
might be the death of a loved one, when sadness is so profound that eating
almost seems sacrilegious. It may come during a time of deep spiritual
hunger or perhaps during Holy Week with a desire to identify with Jesus'
suffering. Whatever the case, fasting is not a means of manipulating God
for a desired outcome, but fasting is one way of responding to a sacred
moment, whatever that occasion may be.