Knowing God Through Fasting

by Elmer L. Towns

People fast for many reasons...to break an addiction...to seek God for healing...to discover the answer to a lingering problem. But the greatest reason to fast is to know God intimately and to feed on the Bread of Life. The book in your hands is not an instruction manual on the methods of fasting or on how to pray. Rather, Dr. Elmer Towns describes the spirit of fasting that leads to an intimate knowing of Jesus Christ. He will show you that fasting Guaranteed to Create a Spiritual Hunger and Thirst Within Your Soul That Only God Can Satisfy.

Genres: Prayer, Nonfiction, Christianity

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

Dr. Elmer Towns is a college and seminary professor, an author of popular and scholarly works (the editor of two encyclopedias), a popular seminar lecturer, and dedicated worker in Sunday school, and has developed over 20 resource packets for leadership education. He began teaching at Midwest Bible College, St. Louis, Missouri, for three years and was not satisfied with his textbooks so he began writing his own (he has published over 100 books listed in the Library of Congress, 7 listed in the Christian Booksellers Best Selling List; several becoming accepted as college textbooks. He is also the 1995 recipient of the coveted Gold Medallion Award awarded by the Christian Booksellers Association for writing the Book of the Year, i.e., The Names of the Holy Spirit.

He was President of Winnipeg Bible College for five years, leading it to receive American Accreditation and Provincial authority to offer degrees (1960-1965). He taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in greater Chicago, Illinois, in the field of Religious Education and Evangelism (1965-1971).

He is co-founder of Liberty University, with Jerry Falwell, in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of Liberty's existence. Today, the University has over 11,400 students on campus with 39,000 in the Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), and he is the Dean of the School of Religion.

Dr. Towns has given theological lectures and taught intensive seminars at over 50 theological seminaries in America and abroad. He holds visiting professorship rank in five seminaries. He has written over 2,000 reference and/or popular articles and received six honorary doctoral degrees. Four doctoral dissertations have analyzed his contribution to religious education and evangelism.

His personal education includes a B.S. from Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary also in Dallas, a MRE from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Ryan Connel · Rating 5 out of 5]

insightful & actionable

I found this to be an inspiring & encouraging book. Towns gives insightful & actionable thoughts, supported by scripture for fasting. I find myself actual lying looking forward to & better prepared for an upcoming fast.

[Lee Rubsam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Mr. Towns' approach to the reason for fasting, which he said is to achieve deeper intimacy with God. Throughout the book, he talked about our need to know the Lord deeper and why fasting helps us draw near to him.

I didn't always care for Mr. Towns' style, nor did I always understand his train of thought. But on the whole, this was a good read.

[Laura Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing God Through Fasting is the first book that I have read by Dr. Elmer L. Towns. I found it to be very inspirational. An excellent read for anyone seeking to know more about the spirit of fasting to develop a spiritual connection with Christ. Dr. Towns is very intentional about instructing readers concerning the dangers of fasting and how it may not be safe for everyone. Before starting an extended fast, Dr. Towns advice is to seek God's guidance first.
Agree with this reviewer:
"I liked this book although it was not initially what I thought. It is not a how to on fasting but rather a rich look at the outcomes that can come from fasting. Intertwined throughout the book is the precious gospel message. I will be on the lookout for other of his books." Kate

[Rev Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I highly recommend to anyone interested in fasting as a beginner or someone who desires to fast more. I've moved away from fasting over the last few years. This book is the kick I needed to get back to this wonderful discipline of feasting of the Lord more than the food of this world.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book not on the how-tos of fasting, but on the benefits and whys.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical...

I have read several books about fasting and have found myself lost in trying to figure out exactly what I needed the book for. This book is a refreshing reminder of fasting to be in the Presence of God...Relationship, rest, restoration, fellowship and refreshment of yourself while honoring Our Father. Stays away from strategies and formulas to encourage the believer to just stop and come away from it all. To spend much needed personal time with God.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book although it was not initially what I thought. It is not a how to on fasting but rather a rich look at the outcomes that can come from fasting. Intertwined throughout the book is the precious gospel message. I will be on the lookout for other of his books.

[Richard Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving and spiritual devotion on fasting.

[Candy Tumlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome read for one who wants to dive in deeper to their spiritual walk in fasting. Come to know God in a deeper way.

[M.J. Hancock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book devotionally encourages taking up the difficult but very rewarding spiritual discipline of fasting.