The Way of Jesus

Fasting part 1: Reflecting on Scot McKnight's book

I make it a practice of reading a book during the season of lent around the subject of spiritual disciplines (or practices if you prefer).  This year I am reading Scot McKight's book "Fasting".  I thought I would share some of my thoughts and learnings on this blog.  Feel free to join the conversation by posting your comments at the end of each post.

I'll begin with Scot's thesis that "Fasting is the natural, inevitable response of a person to a grievous sacred moment in life". 

Right from the start Scot has helped broaden my understanding of fasting to something much more profound about how God has made us.  I have normally approached fasting as purely a spiritual discipline.  I used fasting as a way to train my body and soul from slavery from being controlled by its appetites.  It was a discipline of abstinence, an exercise, something unnatural so that I could then live more naturally, more free.  This I think is still true as a discipline but his thesis immediately fascinated me.  The claim that fasting is a natural response resonates with me, not because I have thought this to be true, I had no idea, but it is as though my soul responded to a deep reality that I am disconnected from.  I can only describe it as if my soul has been waiting for me to discover something that the rest of me didn't know was lost. 

I have been aware for a long time of the effects of a dualistic western society that splits body and soul on my understanding of the Christian faith. But I never had made the connection with fasting.  Scot makes this point "the urge to fast will not return among Christians until we understand the connection of body and soul."  Fascinating.

I'll do at least one post a week through lent on this book, and I'll close this first post with a couple questions.  What are your perceptions of fasting?  How does Scot's thesis strike you?  Shalom.

The link to Scot's book is to the right in my what I am currently reading list.

Matter Matters: Lent 2009

Download "Matter matters"  This week we focused on preparing for the season of lent.  We addressed some of the deep issues that result from a society that splits the spiritual and the physical (soul and body).  Our inner life and our outer life are designed to be one.  The season of lent offers some opportunities to focus on connecting what is going on in our souls with what our bodies are actually doing. 

Embracing the Promise: Announcing the Kingdom, Feb 15, 2009

Download "Embracing the Promise" Jesus is the premiere example of an evangelist.  And his ministry is instructive:  in order to get the good news you are going to need an entirely new way of seeing reality.  The point of conversion in this teaching takes us to the God of Abraham who reveals himself as the God who will show.  Abraham believed that God would be faithful to his promise and when we trust in this revealing God, we too participate in God's promises.

New Creation: Announcing the Kingdom, February 8th, 02009

Download New Creation  This was a really special morning because a new church was birthed in Kathmandu Nepal!  We got to experience in some ways what Paul was feeling when he wrote the letter to the Colossians.  I told stories about the Christians who have helped start "Naya Shristi Mandali" which translates as "New Creation Church" and we prayed and wrote prayers for this new congregation.  Keep interceding for Naya Shristi Mandali.  They had 56 people at their first service on Saturday the 7th and they believe that will double this week.  Pray for profound wisdom as they navigate how to operate in challenging circumstances.  shalom.

Announcing the Kingdom: Telling Each Other's Stories

Download "Telling each other's stories" I spent the morning telling stories of our amazing ministry partners in India and Nepal.  It is great to be back home.  Thanks for all your prayers and for especially caring for my family while I was gone!  shalom.