The Beginner's Guide to Fasting

by Elmer L. Towns

Since Old Testament times, God's people have engaged in the spiritual tradition of going without food for a predetermined length of time to accomplish an important purpose or goal. Fasting can be done for any number of to get to know God better, to wait on God for an answer to prayer, to listen to God, to worship Him and much more. In these pages, you'll discover why you should fast, how to prepare for your first fast, what kind of fasts to follow, how to get started, and what to expect after you are finished. Learn how you can master this powerful spiritual discipline with the friendly assistance of "The Beginner's Guide to Fasting".

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Prayer

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2000

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

[Lost · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely terrible, I thought it would provide useful information on fasting even as a non-christian, but it was a waste of trees. I think people reading this for the religious aspects will be disappointed as well.

[Mike Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first. The information in the book is sparse, religious and does not substitute for medical advice. There is no medical advice in this book. Dr Towns offers a broad overview of fasting, with each described in brief. The fasting discussed in the book is done for religious purpose, to get closer to God or as a petition to God for His intercession. The book is very easy to read, and again, information is sort of generalized therein. As a Christian, I enjoyed the book, but did not find it particularly helpful. However, the book changed my opinion about fasting, revealing it as a useful tool for the faithful.

[Lenin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical and practical knowledge of the act of religious fasting (and various forms of it) is covered as befitting a beginner in this book. But that forms a small part of the beginning. Rest of the book has general Bible-based religious talk on what it means to effectively worship God—the right attitudes regardless of place, time and circumstances.

The book quotes multiple Biblical verses throughout to reiterate what the author considers the best ways to have a spiritual experience with God in the Christian context. However, I would have loved a ‘beginners’ guide to fasting’ focus more on fasting for most of the book. But, then, the book would be one fourth its current size.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very insightful and helpful little book.
This is less about the practical HOW TOs of fasting and more about the spiritual/biblical principles principles of fasting and prayer.
Most of the teachings were very sound and I found to be encouraging and challenging. But there were a few points where it seemed that a verse and its interpretation was taken out of context and there by the interpretation was stretched a bit thin.
Over all a good book for those wanting to consider the benefits of this spiritual discipline.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

With simple language that is clear and concise, Towns guides the reader through all of the options and everything else involved in fasting. This is a great work for anyone who is new to fasting. It helps the reader to be prepared for all of the issues and concerns involved in fasting. Most of all, it encourages the reader to try fasting without being pushy.

[Joy Spears · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only the first part of the book is really about fasting the other half is just about different times we seek God. It was a good start and encouraging as I’m currently fasting. I don’t see myself reading it again but it helped me to understand a deeper meaning of religious fasting.

[Zoey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book offers a simple, practical explanation of why to fast. While fast types are listed (Daniel fast, liquids only, absolute, etc.), the focus is on what fasting can achieve. I identified with these chapters: "Fasting to Know God" and "Fasting When You're Scared." The book was a quick, easy overview, but tended to oversimplify how God responds to fasting. Relationship was de-emphasized, with a preference for terms like "opening heaven's door." At times, [review cut off by Amazon].

[Matthew Coiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide to fasting. Fasting is a tool in the Believer's toolbox that is misunderstood and often avoided. I've used this book as a guide to teach fasting on a couple of occasions now. It is easy to read, well researched, and well founded in scripture.

[Ebony S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book it was a basic easy read and overview of fasting. I however didnt like all the questions that he basically answered with the scripture below. To answer the question you just paraphrase what he already said. Other than that it was good.

[Fredrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and practical in nature.Broaden my understanding of fasting.