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Christian Fasting

Biblical and Evangelical Perspectives

S.H. Mathews

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.
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Lexington Books
Pages: 164 • Trim: 6½ x 9¾
978-1-4985-0753-0 • Hardback • January 2015 • $114.00 • (£88.00)
978-1-4985-0754-7 • eBook • January 2015 • $108.00 • (£83.00)
Subjects: Religion / Christianity / General, Religion / Biblical Studies / New Testament / General, Religion / Christian Living / Social Issues, Religion / Biblical Studies / Old Testament / General
S. H. Mathews teaches at Fruitland Baptist Bible College.
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.
— Word & World


Mathew’s book provides reliable information on the meaning and practice of fasting in the first-century world. Before one can decide on what a text means for today, one should first ask what it meant in is original setting. An interpretation of the meaning of texts in their original setting can easily be anachronistic, especially when the cultural scripts evoked by these texts are not taken into consideration. By employing a social-scientific approach, Mathews does not only show what the practice of fasting entailed in the first-century, but also how these texts could and should be applied by Christians today who see the practice of fasting as an essential element of religious devotion. The book also shows that critical scholarship indeed can enhance the faith of believers.
— Ernest van Eck, University of Pretoria


Christian Fasting

Biblical and Evangelical Perspectives

Cover Image
Hardback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • 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.
Details
Details
  • Lexington Books
    Pages: 164 • Trim: 6½ x 9¾
    978-1-4985-0753-0 • Hardback • January 2015 • $114.00 • (£88.00)
    978-1-4985-0754-7 • eBook • January 2015 • $108.00 • (£83.00)
    Subjects: Religion / Christianity / General, Religion / Biblical Studies / New Testament / General, Religion / Christian Living / Social Issues, Religion / Biblical Studies / Old Testament / General
Author
Author
  • S. H. Mathews teaches at Fruitland Baptist Bible College.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • 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
Reviews
Reviews
  • 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.
    — Word & World


    Mathew’s book provides reliable information on the meaning and practice of fasting in the first-century world. Before one can decide on what a text means for today, one should first ask what it meant in is original setting. An interpretation of the meaning of texts in their original setting can easily be anachronistic, especially when the cultural scripts evoked by these texts are not taken into consideration. By employing a social-scientific approach, Mathews does not only show what the practice of fasting entailed in the first-century, but also how these texts could and should be applied by Christians today who see the practice of fasting as an essential element of religious devotion. The book also shows that critical scholarship indeed can enhance the faith of believers.
    — Ernest van Eck, University of Pretoria


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