Customer Reviews

God's Chosen Fast

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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.

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.

Very balanced view of fasting, the how-to's and the benefits. Wow, what a tool.

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).

This book explores the depths and heights of fasting in layman's terms. Arthur Wallis shows the practical and spiritual side of fasting and how effective an agent-of-change it can be. I have never read a better book on the subject. A must-read for those who wish to embark on a prayer & fasting journey. God bless you as you read this amazing little book.

I first read this book 32 years ago. Since that time I've purchased and given it to many friends, used it in my personal life for 32 years and taught it in Sunday School. This book is excellent, concise and bibicial. In my opinion its a MUST have book and foundational for any one seeking on the subject of "fasting".

as a person who has fasted for many years, this still remains the classic text on this spiritual disciple -- if you are merely curious and looking into fasting for the 1st time, or have practiced fasting for a long time -- God can use this book to encourage and strengthen you in your search for Him

"God's Chosen Fast: A Spiritual and Practical Guide to Fasting" by Arthur Wallace gives a overview of the Evangelical understanding of scriptural fasting, and is a useful starting point for the Christian wanting to know the why's if not the hows, of fasting.

The message of his book can be summed up thusly: we are to fast with intention as individual believers to further the kingdom of God. But Wallis covers more ground than just that simple statement. In 23 brief chapters (none longer than 5 pages) and 3 appendices (on dubious mentions of fasting in the Authorized Version, answers to practical questions on fasting, and on healthy eating), Wallis lays out the types, durations, and purposes of a fast along with practical advice for the faster. He covers the Old Testament prescriptions for fasting, and the New Testament references, but true to his evangelical understanding of faith, does not go beyond scriptural sources except when he refers to medical aspects of a fast. All but 3 chapters (ch 19-21) are concerned with the spiritual side of fasting, the remaining chapters lay out how a fast affects a body, how to start a fast, and how to break a prolonged fast. 7 Chapters lay out the purposes of a fast, illustrated by biblical examples. One chapter provides a fasting diary of an unnamed personal friend of the author, and the final chapter (re)turns to the theme of revival.

Wallace (no apparent relation to Jim Wallis of Sojourners) wrote out of the Christian Restorationist movement and its British counterpart the New Church Movement (from which came the Churches of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and related families of churches) which sought a return to a "New Testament Christianity") which perceives little to no value to Catholic practices or beliefs, except as negative reinforcement to Protestant and 'biblical' principles (there are no examples of post-biblical saints or believers who fasted until after the Reformation, for instance). Wallis wrote many books on prayer, and the Christian life and wrote this book to fill a perceived need because of a dearth of Protestant books on fasting. In the Preface to the book, Wallis specifically says "Having proved the great value and blessing of fasting over many years, I was concerned that so many earnest believers had apparently never given the subject any serious thought. This concern became a constraint to share with those who hunger for God's best, what the Bible has to say about this spiritual exercise". (p7)

Some indeed of his information has been expanded upon in parts by later works, notably "The Daniel Fast for spiritual breakthrough" by Elmer L Towns, but the overall message holds up even 40 years after its initial writing. Where the book is lacking is in his use of sources, most notably in the non-scriptural background he presents. His information on "Asceticism" comes from two general Protestant-toned encyclopedias on religion. But then again, he was writing for a popular audience not an academic. Of greater concern is the paucity of sources and documentation on the health and medical-related aspects of the fast. Other (Amazon) reviewers have also challenged Wallis on his medical sources. He does admit however, that literature on medicinal fasting covers this area in greater detail than he does because his concern is not with the bodily aspects, but the spiritual aspects. A final detraction in the work lies in his complete rejection of any spiritual benefit from the catholic and ascetical form of fasting is seen in the chapter devoted to "Asceticism"; it is the sole negative chapter in the book, overly critical in tone to the 'ascetic' understanding and monastic practices of any type.

Even with these blemishes though, "God's Chosen Fast" is a useful, modern addition to anyone's collection of written spiritual aids, and deserves a wider reading in our age of plenty.

original work: God's chosen fast: a spiritual and practical guide to fasting / Arthur Wallace. Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade. 1968 [Paperback in 1969. Reprinted in 1970. Reprinted 1971] p119. Includes Bibliographic References and Index. *Note: This review refers to the 1971 reprint.

This book has given me a whole new insight on fasting. It gave great detail concerning the different types of fasting. i love it!

This book was one of the most inspiring Christian discussions on fasting that I have ever come across. It was very easy to read, but packed with Biblical and personal examples from the author's life. It was illuminating and instructive. If a person has never fasted before, this book is the one to read. If they have fasted but need a refresher on its many advantages, it is also beneficial.