Book Review: Awakening by Stovall Weems
I was not sure what to expect when I received AWAKENING by Stovall Weems. I recently reviewed a book on fasting that, well, left a lot to be desired. As I freed Weems’ work from the media mail envelope and settled down it was with a hint of skepticism.
Stovall Weems is the lead pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida. According to www.awakeningbook.org, the church began with just 7 people in 1998 and now serves over 10,000. This interested me, thinking that they must be doing something right. Stovall said something early in AWAKENING that might hold the key.
“This will be your best year ever if it is your best year spiritually.”
Made sense to me. I was in. What I found in this book was a comprehensive guide to biblical fasting combined with real world testimonies of it’s effectiveness. Stovall explains in detail the benefits, both physical and spiritual, of a break from the norms of a world “gunked up”. Reader beware, however. The Awakening fast is not your standard issue “hey I gave up worrying for Lent.” It’s the real deal. Weems does outline different forms and methods of fasting, but he himself participates in an annual 21 day fast obtaining from virtually any food at all. That’s hardcore, but his results are amazing. Just reading about the breakthroughs and renewal in his relationship with God has me gearing up for a fast of my own. You can too, and this book is a fantastic guide.
Book Review: Fasting by Scott Mcknight
FASTING BY SCOTT MCKNIGHT
Another book, another book review. This one was sent by the awesome people at Thomas Nelson, and is titled FASTING, by SCOTT MCKNIGHT. This book is one is a group called The Ancient Practices Series created by Phyllis Tickle. I reviewed another book in this series, Tithing by a different author not long ago.
I must be honest, and to be honest I must say I was not impressed with FASTING. To begin with, the theology of the book is Catholic in origin, and as a evangelical protestant I simply do not agree with much of it. Among the doctrinal disagreements between us are quoting Didache as scripture and the Catholic teachings on celibacy. I know this may be a “to each his own” argument, but it’s not for me.
Next, this book is rather difficult to follow. The author has basically created his own fasting language. McKnight has coined a number of verbs to describe fasting, and each chapter is called after one such term. Here they are, perhaps they make more sense to you:
- Fasting as Body Talk
- Fasting as Body Turning
- Fasting as Body Plea
- Fasting as Body Grief
- Fasting as Body Discipline
- Fasting as Body Calendar
- Fasting as Body Poverty
- Fasting as Body Contact
- Fasting as Body Hope
I didn’t really get it. I found it hard to follow, and truly couldn’t wait until it was over. There is not much else to say…
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for this review.
delighted to share. 