The Beginner's Guide to Fasting [Paperback]

Elmer L. Towns (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 11, 2010

God created the human body as a finely tuned instrument of enormous power, but it requires fuel to operate. To make sure that body gets enough fuel, God created in humans an appetite for food, which we call "hunger." So why would anyone ever ignore hunger and choose not to eat? Going without food for spiritual reasons is called fasting, a spiritual discipline with a long and important history in Christianity. When accompanied by earnest prayer, fasting demonstrates a believer's sincerity to God. In The Beginner's Guide to Fasting, beloved teacher-theologian Elmer Towns introduces the basics to those who may have never fasted before, and reviews the fundamentals for seasoned intercessors. Dr. Towns gives an overview of fasting from the Old and New Testaments, and answers questions about fasting related to physical health, social interaction, spiritual warfare and much more. The Beginner's Guide to Fasting is an essential handbook for all who long to draw closer to God through biblical spiritual disciplines.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

God created the human body as a finely tuned instrument of enormous power, but it requires fuel to operate. To make sure your body gets enough fuel to run efficiently, God created in you an appetite for food, which we call “hunger.” So, why would you ever ignore hunger and choose not to eat? Going without food for spiritual reasons is called fasting and is a spiritual discipline with a long and important history in Christianity.When accompanied by your earnest prayers, fasting demonstrates your sincerity to God. In The Beginner’s Guide to Fasting, beloved teacher-theologian Elmer L. Towns introduces you to the basics of this powerful spiritual discipline. You’ll find an overview of fasting in the Old and New Testaments as well as answers to your questions about fasting and physical health, social interaction, spiritual warfare and much more. This is an essential handbook for all who long to draw closer to God through biblical spiritual disciplines!

 

About the Author

ELMER TOWNS is vice president of Liberty University, where he also serves as dean of the School of Religion. He co-founded the university in 1971 with Jerry Falwell. Elmer teaches the 2,000-member pastor's Sunday School class at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is a God Medallion Award-winning author, and his books include Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, God Laughs and Other Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Him and How to Pray (When You Don't Know What to Say). Elmer and his wife, Ruth, have three grown children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Regal; 2nd edition (February 11, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830746048
• ISBN-13: 978-0830746040
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,387 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ELMER L. TOWNS is Vice President of Liberty University, where he also serves as Dean of the School of Religion. He cofounded the university with Jerry Falwell in 1971. Elmer teaches the 2,000-member pastor's Sunday School class at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is a Gold Medallion Award-winning author, and his books include Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, How to Pray (When You Don't Know What to Say) and What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice book, wrong title, May 9, 2005

By 

J. Marui (Belgrade, SCG) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fasting (The Beginner's Guide to) (Paperback)

The book reads like a sermon. I can just imagine the author (who is a minister) preaching about the importance of fasting as a spiritual discipline. He writes with passion and when he tells you that God will come to you during a fast and help you solve your problems - you believe him! Devoted Christians will probably enjoy it, providing that they don't expect useful information about fasting. But, that is not how the book is advertised. It says on the back cover:
"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."
1. "you'll discover why you should fast"
This promise is kept. You will learn that prayers are more powerful during the fast because fasting gets you closer to God.
2. "how to prepare for your first fast"
Not even mentioned.
3. "what kind of fasts to follow"
Only few pages are devoted to this topic, when in fact, the book should have been centered around it.
4. "how to get started"
The only information you get is that your first fast should last for a day only.
5. "what to expect after you are finished"
Not even mentioned.
Overall, it is a nice book for what it is, but a Beginner's Guide to Fasting it isn't.

15 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elmer Towns does it again!, March 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Beginner's Guide to Fasting (Paperback)

A beautiful, inspired book full of fresh insights into prayer & fasting for modern people. Not a run-of-the-mill book on fasting but a truly inspired, Christ-centered treatise on the power of prayer combined with fasting. This book is one of those that you read and you keep referring too. Not to mention needing to have a highlighter handy!

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book, September 10, 2011

By 

amber - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Beginner's Guide to Fasting (Paperback)

This book helps you to understand what exactly fasting is and reasons why you should do so. I got this to read before starting my first fast, I just received it yesterday and am already almost half way through it. I love how the author put scripture in with it, it's helpful to look up the verses while reading this book. Overall very awesome book, definitely recommend it to someone who has never fasted, or just wants to understand fasting better.