Ebook
In our present age in which apostolic Christianity is a foreign notion to many Christians, it is of little wonder that many of the beliefs of our ancient fathers have been deemed outdated, including the importance of fasting. By exploring the Holy Scriptures, patristics, Christian tradition, and personal experience, Lutheran seminary professor Harold Ristau seeks to answer the question "Why fast?" Through this concise examination of a historic Christian practice, which is as rich with meaning today as it was in antiquity, the reader is left with a deepened appreciation for Christian fasting. Ristau's lively reflections on the relevance of fasting for catechesis, evangelism, and spiritual warfare fill the soul with great consolation. After all, our Lord Jesus' words--"when you fast"--presume that this vital discipline is already happening, and perhaps without you even knowing it.
“If you’ve ever wondered about the whys and wherefores of
fasting, this is the book for you. Harold Ristau thoroughly
explores Luther’s well-founded objections to abuses of fasting in
the medieval church. Yet he probes deeper, initiating contemporary
readers into the evangelical/sacramental mysteries of fasting as
practiced by the ancient church and taught by Jesus. In an age
bloated with extravagance, Ristau invites Christians to discover
firsthand that less is truly more: when we feast on Christ’s
fasting we experience the blessings of those who hunger and thirst
for his righteousness.”
—Harold L. Senkbeil, Executive Director, DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran
Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel
“Dr. Ristau’s book delves into the seldom-discussed practice of
Christian fasting. This approachable work allows the reader to
reflect on how this ancient practice might be incorporated into his
or her devotional life.”
—Thomas Korcok, Associate Professor of Theology, Concordia
University Chicago, Director of the Center for Advancement of
Classical Lutheran Liberal Arts
“In an age of abundance and amusement, Rev. Dr. Ristau’s insights
on fasting inform Christians seeking to authentically live a
countercultural and graceful life. This engaging book offers an
overview of fasting in Scripture and in Christian history and
thought, and focuses on fasting as a satisfying gift of God.
When You Fast relevantly shows that fasting is Gospel living
in, with, and under the fullness of God’s grace.”
—Joshua Hollmann, Associate Professor of Theology, Concordia
College New York
Harold Ristau, Lutheran pastor and retired military chaplain, is
an associate professor at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary
in St. Catharines in Ontario, Canada. He is the author of several
books, the two most recent of which are: My First Exorcism: What
the Devil Taught a Lutheran Pastor about Counter-cultural
Spirituality (2015) and At Peace with War: A Chaplain’s
Meditations from Afghanistan (2012).