An imprint of WIPF Publishers When You Fast · 2019. 7. 29. · Ristau’s lively re˛ections on...
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978-1-5326-4879-3 / $21 / 182 pp. / paper Media, Examination, and Review Copies: Contact: Shanalea Forrest (541) 344-1528, ext 151 or [email protected] Orders: Contact your favorite bookseller or order directly from the publisher via phone (541) 344-1528, fax (541) 344-1506 or e-mail us at [email protected] An imprint of WIPF and STOCK Publishers wipfandstock.com • (541) 344-1528 e Sacramental Character of Fasting HAROLD RISTAU foreword by omas M. Winger When You Fast 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notion to many Christians, it is of little wonder that many of the beliefs of our ancient fathers have been deemed outdated, including the importance of fasting.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?” rough this concise examination of a historic Chris- tian practice, which is as rich with meaning today as it was in antiquity, the reader is leſt 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. Aſter all, our Lord Jesus’ words—“when you fast”—presume that this vital discipline is already happening, and perhaps without you even knowing it. Harold Ristau, Lutheran pastor and retired military chaplain, is an associate professor at Concor- dia Lutheran eological 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 Count- er-cultural Spirituality (2015) and At Peace with War: A Chaplain’s Meditations from Afghanistan (2012). “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. is engaging book offers an overview of fasting in Scripture and in Christian history and thought, and focuses on fasting as a satisfying giſt 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 eology, Concordia College New York “Dr. Ristau’s book delves into the seldom-discussed practice of Christian fasting. is 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 eology, Concordia University Chicago, Director of the Center for Advancement of Classical Lutheran Liberal Arts “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: e Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel
Transcript of An imprint of WIPF Publishers When You Fast · 2019. 7. 29. · Ristau’s lively re˛ections on...
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978-1-5326-4879-3 / $21 / 182 pp. / paper
Media, Examination, and Review Copies:Contact: Shanalea Forrest(541) 344-1528, ext 151 or [email protected]
Orders: Contact your favorite bookseller or order directly from the publisher via phone (541) 344-1528,
fax (541) 344-1506 or e-mail us at [email protected]
An imprint of WIPF and STOCK Publisherswipfandstock.com • (541) 344-1528
�e Sacramental Character of FastingHAROLD RISTAU foreword by �omas M. Winger
When You FastIn 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?” �rough this concise examination of a historic Chris-tian practice, which is as rich with meaning today as it was in antiquity, the reader is le� with a deepened appreciation for Christian fasting. Ristau’s lively re�ections on the relevance of fasting for catechesis, evangelism, and spiritual warfare �ll the soul with great consolation. A�er all, our Lord Jesus’ words—“when you fast”—presume that this vital discipline is already happening, and perhaps without you even knowing it.
Harold Ristau, Lutheran pastor and retired military chaplain, is an associate professor at Concor-dia Lutheran �eological 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 Count-er-cultural Spirituality (2015) and At Peace with War: A Chaplain’s Meditations from Afghanistan (2012).
“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. �is engaging book o�ers an overview of fasting in Scripture and in Christian history and thought, and focuses on fasting as a satisfying gi� 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 �eology, Concordia College New York
“Dr. Ristau’s book delves into the seldom-discussed practice of Christian fasting. �is approachable work allows the reader to re�ect on how this ancient practice might be incorporated into his or her devotional life.”—THOMAS KORCOK, Associate Professor of �eology, Concordia University Chicago, Director of the Center for Advancement of Classical Lutheran Liberal Arts
“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 �rsthand 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: �e Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel
