Christian Fasting

Biblical and Evangelical Perspectives

By (author) S.H. Mathews

Publication date:

27 January 2015

Length of book:

164 pages

Publisher

Lexington Books

ISBN-13: 9781498507530

Through the lens of social-scientific criticism, Christian Fasting: Biblical and EvangelicalPerspectives explores the social, cultural, and religious significance of fasting in the first-century Mediterranean world. Old Testament precedents, as well as Mesopotamian, Greek, and Roman influences are examined to form the backdrop for a detailed interpretation of each fasting text in the New Testament. Contemporary evangelical fasting literature is also discussed and analyzed. Finally, H.S. Mathews proposes a solution for reconciling a biblical interpretation of fasting with contemporary evangelical practice.

Introduction
Chapter 1: An Anthropologist Reads the New Testament
Chapter 2: Fasting in the Old Testament and Ancient Mediterranean World Introduction
Chapter 3: Fasting in the New Testament: A Social-Scientific View of Fasting in the First-Century Mediterranean World
Chapter 4: Fasting in Evangelical Christianity
Chapter 5: Evangelicalism and the New Testament in Dialogue

The significance of Mathews’s work is unquestionable. Besides the misuse of other spiritual
gifts, the nature and practice of Christian fasting is the most misunderstood in some African
church contexts... Mathews has provided the church with a very important tool for addressing the challenges related to the practice of fasting. In short, the book is the outcome of a thorough analysis of a topic that seems neglected by evangelical Christians today. It is relevant and worth reading.