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Fasting or the deliberate abstinence from food is believed to have been practiced by man for as long as history can tell (Bragg & Bragg 48). According to scholars, fasting is a universal practice that is observed by almost all people in the world for a variety of reasons (Piper 30). Hindus and Muslims observe fasting for religious reasons. Even American Indians and the natives of New Guinea have been observing fasting as a form of religious rituals and practices (Piper 31). Fasting is a prevalent practice that it is also observed even for non-religious reasons. Fasting, for instance, is sometimes used as a form of political protest or performed for health reasons (Piper 30). In Christianity, the observance of fasting is not a new doctrine. In fact, this practice has its roots from the Jewish tradition as mentioned in the Old Testament. The first mention of fasting can be observed in the writings of Moses in the book of Leviticus. In Leviticus 16: 29 – 31, God commanded the people of Israel that on the day of atonement or “on the tenth day of the seventh month,” they are going to “deny themselves” and abstain from work. Furthermore, in chapter 23, verse 27 of the same book, it was reiterated that the people of Israel should “deny themselves” and present an offering to God for the atonement of their sins. The term ‘deny themselves’ is understood to refer to fasting, which is observed by Jews in the time of Moses on the day of Yom Kippur or the day of Atonement (Piper 30). Since then, fasting have been observed as a major Jewish tradition and was also adopted as a Christian practice.
People fast in the Old Testament for a variety of reasons. One of which is for the atonement of one’s sins. As observed in Leviticus, it was God, himself, who ordered people to fast for the penance of their sins. Since then, fasting is understood as a form of making amends or reparation for sins. Fasting is also a form of supplication; a humbling appeal to God to ask for his favor. The Jews, for instance, would fast if they would like to ask for God’s help and guidance such as in times of war. As observed in Judges 20: 26, the Israelites gathered their army to weep and fast. Accordingly, the whole army fasted for one whole day until the evening. Similarly, in 1 Samuel chapter 7, the Israelites through their leader, Samuel, fasted in order to ask God’s help hoping that God would deliver them from their enemies. In the second book of Samuel, David, the king of Israel fasted in order to plead for the life of his child. In 2 Samuel 12: 16 – 17, it was observed that David “fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground” and that he would not eat any food, even if the elders of his house tried to get him up and eat with him.
Just like how reasons for fasting vary, there are also different ways on how fasting is done. As observed, fasting as a religious practice in the Old Testament is not only performed in order to fulfill God’s command, but also as a personal decision. It is quite apparent that there is no restriction as to how and when fasting is done. In the Old Testament, fasting is done by abstaining from all kinds of food except water. Fasting, may not necessarily mean total abstinence from food as in the case of Daniel in Daniel 10: 3 wherein he mourned and ate only choiced food as he abstained from meat and wine for three weeks. There are also instances wherein people in the Old Testament fast by totally abstaining from all kinds of food, including water as in the case of Nineveh wherein the king decreed: “do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink”. The Queen Esther, was also observed in Ester 4: 16 to have urged the Jews to fast with her by not eating or drinking anything for three days. One of the longest fast that has ever been recorded in the Old Testament was that of Moses (Copeland 6). In Deutoronomy 9: 9, Moses is believed to have fasted for forty days and forty nights by not eating bread or drinking water. Scholars, however, believe that such absolute fasting is not possible without divine intervention.
The tradition of fasting as a form of supplification continued to be observed even during the time of the early Christians. Christ himself practiced fasting and like Moses, Christ was noted to have fasted for 40 days without food and water as stated in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Christ, however, warned the Christians to be wary of how they fast. Christ instructed them in Matthew 6: 16 – 18 that instead of disfiguring their faces and trying to look somber in order to show the people that they are fasting, Christians should be discrete by washing their hands and their face. For Christ, fasting should be a personal exercise and should be kept private so that fasting will not fall into being a pretentious or hypocritical act. Early Christians, however, were not keen observers of fasting as their Jewish counterparts. For the same reason, most of them were being criticized for not fasting as often as the Pharisees. But Christ answered them in Luke 5: 34 – 35 that it is not appropriate for his disciples to fast while he is still with them. However, Christ said that the time will come when he will leave and that is the time that they will fast. In the Old Testament, fasting is generally considered as a ritual. However, when Christ came, he changed the perception of fasting from being a ritual to something that should be done appropriately as when the need arises.
Fasting can also be observed after the death of Christ or during the apostles’ ministry. The church in Antioch, for instance, was observed in Acts 13: 1 – 3 to have combined fasting with worshipping and praying. It is quite remarkable how fasting is an important part of the early Christian church’s activity. Fasting, for instance, is a prerequisite prior to being sent off for ministry work. As observed in Acts 13: 3, after Saul (who is later called Paul) and Barnabas fasted and prayed, the apostles “placed their hands on them and sent them off”. Fasting is also observed as an important part in the process of appointing and preparing church leaders. In Acts 14: 21 – 25, when Paul and Barnabas returned to the churches of Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, they appointed leaders for them and part of the preparation of their appointed church leaders were praying and fasting.
Fasting, in modern Christianity, is often associated with the Lent season. The term ‘Lent’ is believed by scholars to have originated from the Greek, ‘Tessarakosti,’ and the Latin, ‘Quadragesima,’ which means ‘the forty’ (Russo 18). The significance of the number forty has been given emphasis by scholars in their study of the origins of the Lenten tradition. Accordingly, lent signifies forty hours; the time “believed to be the exact duration of Christ’s time in the tomb” (Russo 18). However, by the middle of the third century, the duration of Lent was extended to six weeks and later fixed at 40 days (Russo 18). The lengthening of the lent was thought necessary in order to “make up for the waning zeal of the post-apostolic church and to provide a longer period of instruction for the increasing numbers of former pagans thronging to the font for Easter baptism” (Russo 19). Accordingly, the tradition of Lent was established by the apostles themselves in preparation for the Easter baptism (Russo 18). Lent has become a period of self-denial, penitence and fasting and has since been observed by Christians, specifically, Catholics, in preparation for Easter. In order to accommodate the 40 day fasting period, the date of Lent may vary depending on the date of Easter. By tradition, Lent begins six and a half weeks before Easter, which is also known as Ash Wednesday. This day is commemorated by the Catholics by a religious ceremony wherein the priest place ashes on their forehead, which signifies penitence.
Fasting during the Lenten season is not necessarily absolute. That is, there are certain foods that need to be abstained from as decreed by Catholic traditions. Traditionally, Catholics observe certain rules when it comes to fasting during the Lenten season. The Lenten fast, for instance, starts on Ash Wednesday and on succeeding Fridays. According to tradition, the customary fast allows only one full meal during the day. However, two smaller meals can be taken if necessary in order to maintain strength. The two small meals taken during the day, however, should not constitute a full meal. Originally, all kinds of meat, dairy products and fish are forbidden when observing the Lenten fast especially during Fridays. Eating solid foods between meals are also forbidden. However, liquids such as water and fruit juices are allowed. The Catholic Church requires all its members who are over 18 years old and is under 59 years old to observe fasting and abstinence on the days appointed. The Lenten fast ends at exactly 12:00 noon on Holy Saturday. Over the years, the Catholic Church has relaxed its rules on fasting during the Lenten season. However, devote Catholics still observe such traditions as part of their penance and supplication. Today, fasting is seldom observed by Christian denominations except by Catholics during their Lenten season. The gradual waning of fasting as a Christian tradition is most likely influenced by personal preference. Nevertheless, Christians are still free to observe fasting as they deem appropriate.
Works Cited
Bragg, P., & Bragg, P. The Miracle of Fasting. n.d. March 2016 <http://www.e-reading.club/bookreader.php/149860/The_Miracle_of_Fasting.pdf>.
Copeland, M. A Survey Of Fasting In The Old And New Testament. 2001. March 2016 <http://executableoutlines.com/fa/fa_so.pdf>.
Guidelines Regarding Fast and Abstinence . 2009. March 2016 <http://www.dcgary.org/pdf/fast-abstinence.pdf>.
Holy Bible, New International Version. Biblica Inc., 2011.
Piper, J. A Hunger for God. 2013. March 2016 <http://document.desiringgod.org/a-hunger-for-god-en.pdf?1446646561>.
Rules of the Lenten Fast. n.d. March 2016 <https://www.truerestoration.org/PublicDocs/LentenFast.pdf>.
Russo, N. The Early History of Lent. 2013. March 2016 <http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php/193181.pdf>.
