God's Chosen Fast [Paperback]

Arthur Wallis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0875085547 | ISBN-13: 978-0875085548 | Publication Date: January 1980

This is a balanced study which seeks to give fasting the weight that Scripture gives, while avoiding abuse. The book includes a biblical index, and an appendix dealing with the textual problems surrounding four references to fasting in the New Testament.

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: Christian Literature Crusade (January 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875085547
• ISBN-13: 978-0875085548
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God's Chosen Fast, January 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: God's Chosen Fast (Paperback)

This book is excellent! It is short, easy to read, accurate, informative, and challenging. It doesn't have the "fluff" of more modern American books, probably because of its British origin and its age, but it is every bit current and timeless. It is not just a discourse on fasting, but a guide to understanding the situations where fasting is appropriate, even necessary, and where it is not. It helps understand where fasting belongs in the overall message of the Bible. It also contains very useful information about the practical and physical concerns involved.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you've ever thought about fasting, read this book first., October 4, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God's Chosen Fast (Paperback)

If you've ever considered fasting but weren't sure why to fast, when to fast, or HOW to fast, this is the book for you!

A scripturally-based analysis of fasting which should be in every Christian's library, after it's been in your lap. The answers for spiritual renewal are found in the advise in this book.

33 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Tentative Recommendation, September 9, 2003

By 

Robert Wynkoop (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: God's Chosen Fast (Paperback)

Gods Chosen Fast is a comprehensive survey of fasting as presented in the Bible. Wallis does three things: Firsts he pleads for the renewal of fasting in the church as a channel to regain its lost apostolic power; second, he tells us the benefits of fasting; and finally, he tells us how to fast.

I appreciate the chapter on freedom from Satans power. Like Neil Anderson, Wallis believes much of what troubles Christians today can be attributed to the release once dormant demonic forces as Gods Spirit is being poured out afresh. For too long the church has either ignored Satans role in binding Christians or has attributed demon possession to psychological pathos. Wallis commonsense approach to fasting was good. He points out that fasting has been abused in the past, but that abuse does not negate the biblical imperative to fast, or the power to be gained through fasting.

Unfortunately, after chapter nineteen, the book goes downhill. The chapter on health and healing was terrible. The evidence he submits for the healing power of fasting was anecdotal and the authorities he cites were suspect at best. On page 117 he quotes as a medial source a certain Herbert M. Shelton who writes for the Natural Hygiene Press. Does Wallis know that one can find a doctor to endorse almost any quack scheme? Where were the articles from the American Medial Association or the New England Journal of Medicine? His exegesis of the story of the Egyptian abandoned by the Amalekities who was revived after being rescued by David is amazing. How in the world could one attribute going three days without food for the poor man's revival? Did not the food and water David provided have something to do with the Egyptians regaining his health?

I give this book a tentative recommendation. It is of uneven quality and the documentation is weak. It does, however, present a much broader picture of fasting than Foster is able to do in his book (The Celebration of Discipline).