Christianity, Islam, and Judaism:
Perspective on Fasting
One of the longest established disciplines of the human body is that of fasting.
Fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on a period of spiritual growth(www.alinaam.org.za).Fasting has also been used in nearly every religion in the world, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Many of history's great spiritual leaders fasted for mental and spiritual clarity, including Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammed. Fasting is an important element in religious practices.
Christian Perspective
Nowhere in the New Testament is fasting commanded as a binding obligation upon the Christian. However, if one elects to fast it should be nothing less than drawing nearer to God. Even though fasting is not commanded that doesn’t mean that fasting isn’t recommended as a part of a Christian’s spiritual growth. Fasting is very important in Christianity. Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights. The Book of Acts records believers’ fasting before they made important decisions (Act 13:4, 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2: 37; 5:33). Although fasting in Scriptures is almost always a fasting from food; there are other ways to fast. Anything you can temporarily give up in order to better focus on God can be considered a fast (1 Cor. 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when the fasting is food. The occasions for a fast is total voluntary. Christians fast for different reasons. They fast during difficult times, to express sorrow or regret for sin or to seek guidance from God. Christian also fast to communicate emotion to God.
Christian fasting is more than denying he or herself food or something else of the flesh – it’s a sacrificial lifestyle before God. In Isaiah 58, a “true fast� is not just a one-time act of humility and denial before God; it is a lifestyle of servant ministry to others. Isaiah tells us, fasting encourages humility, loosens the chains of injustice, unties the chords of the yoke, frees the oppressed, feeds the hungry, provides for the poor, and clothes the naked. (Isaiah 58: 1-9). The concept of Christian fasting isn’t a one-day thing – it’s a lifestyle of servant living for God and others.
Jewish Perspective
Fasting is a part of the Jewish tradition. Fasting was instituted in Biblical times as a sign of morning, or when...
... middle of paper ...
...d Judaism rely heavily upon law for fasting. They have major fasts based on the Holy Qu’ran and the Torah. Christian fasts are not restricted to commands from the Bible. As a matter of fact, fasting is not required at all. They are encouraged to fast for spiritual growth. If Christians decide to fast, they have individual freedom to choose when and how they fast. Unlike Christians, Muslims and Jews have to fast completely from food. Christians have a choice to fast from whatever keeps them from focusing on God.
Even though Islam, Judaism, and Christianity have different perspective on fasting, they all have a common goal to get closer to God. No matter how a fast is carried out, one should never lose sight of the main goal of fasting. Fasting provides an environment for a deeper spiritual life.
Bibliography
http://www.aish.com Retrieved February 20, 2005. http://www.alinaam.org.za/ramadhaan/freligions.htm Retrieved February 20, 2005.
Fisher, Mary Pat (2002). Living Religions, Fifth Edition Prentice-Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
The Holy Bible, New International Version Grand Rapids, Michigan 1973. http://www.islamworld.net / Retrieved February 26, 2005.
—Forgiveness is a suite of prosocial motivational changes that happened after a person has incurred a transgression (McCullogh). McCullogh also asserts the forgiveness process includes empathy for the transgressor, generous attributions and appraisals regarding the transgression and transgressor, and rumination abalout the transgression where agreeableness takes a serious place in the person who needs to forgive someone. Andre was impressed by his father’s work, the emotion developed in Andre’s mind have given up revenge and resentment thought to his father. When Andre’s father had an accident that made his legs crushed and had to sit on a wheelchair for the rest of his life; Andre immediately felt how vulnerable people are. He cherished the relationship with his father, in fact after the accident Andre started to cherish everyone besides him. The accident was a trigger to a prosocial motivational change to Andre and his father’s relationship. “But deliver us from evil. Amen” (Dubus, 387). Andre prayed on his father’s funeral. Forgiveness needs something to trigger; Andre understand pop’s condition and forgave him. Andre knew that his father has done the best he could, and he was happy and grateful that he had a father. Moreover, Andre’s life was full of sports, the healing process was impacted by
In the Jewish religion dietary laws are one of the most important parts of keeping the faith. These laws are thought to be sent from God to keep the Jewish people pure. Over the year it has became easier for Jews to eat kosher but many people have chosen to assimilate with passing time. A tradition that started around 3500 years ago that has kept its importance.
Throughout time, food has always played a large role in every day life. One aspect of life that food really plays a large role in is religious life. It is important to recognize that the first commandment that God gave to us was a restriction on eating. Many religions have dietary laws or restrictions that explain to the people of their religion what they can and cannot eat. The first commandments that God gave to us were related to eating. In the Bible, we see the Mosaic dietary laws. These laws were set and regulated by Moses, as explained by God’s law. The Old Testament is full of restrictions regarding food consumption and what types of foods should not be consumed. I will be further examining the Mosaic dietary laws and the role they continue to play in the modern-day and in many people lives.
This essay discusses an article on “Forgiveness,” by author Adam Cohen, which one will find forgiveness mean different things to different people. First, forgiveness according to the author states forgiveness is hurts real or imagined, anger and spite. However, through further research, the Bible dictionary states “forgiveness in the OT mean pardon and in the NT remission. Yet, the idea of forgiveness is found in either religious or social relations and means giving up resentment or claim to requital on account of an offense. The offense may be a deprivation of a person’s property, rights, or honor; or it may be a violation of moral law (Douglas and Tenney 360).”
Both the man and woman fast on the day of the wedding, like at Yom
Even though I have read Volf’s book Free of Charge, it was good to go back to such a powerful chapter as this one on forgiveness. I was challenged by his two paragraphs on the principle of forgiveness being an extension of getting more than what we deserve. Additionally, He is right that since our culture naturally works by a one-to-one correlation. In other words, you get what you deserve. Therefore, forgiveness must make us uneasy (cf. Volf, 203).
Forgiveness is incredible. The ability of a human being to summon up the power within themselves to not harbor vengeance and anger in their heart over the wrongs done to them, including traumatic, painful wrongs, is stunning. A person struggles not to admire someone with perpetual forgiveness in their hearts; however, at the same time, forgiveness is not the only way. Although forgiveness is incredible, human beings are not obliged to forgive and are not less righteous for not forgiving. Both Roxane Gay and Sophronia Scott engaged the topic of forgiveness with eloquence, intelligence, and ultimately, differing opinions; ultimately, I find myself somewhere between the two of them. While I do not believe that we should allow anger and resentment
Islam 's fundamental duties, practices, and beliefs are summarized in the Five Pillars of the faith, laid down in one of the Prophet 's Hadith and accepted by all Muslims. The five pillars are, the profession of faith, the daily prayer, payment of the Zakat, fasting during Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. These are religious obligation of the Islamic practice. Although Christian 's religion is summarized in the Ten Commandments, the two faiths have similar and ideas, practices, and beliefs. The similarities can be seen through the rules of the holy writings and by the specific actions preformed both outside and in the worship places.
Whereas, Frenkiel’s younger brother Chaim explained to reporters why he did not fast this year. “If I decided to fast this year that would mean thanking God for putting me through this hell”, he describes, “and honestly
The proper method and strictness of Ekadasi fast is difficult to follow in modern times. Devotees observe a full day fast on Ekadashi day. They pray to Lord Vishnu, chant mantras and Krishna songs. In various temples special gatherings are organized where lectures are held on Bhagwat Gita .It is believed that chanting and fasting together forms a protection layer around devotee’s body.
This book explains all there is to know about the subject of forgiveness. It meticulously explains what forgiveness is, why it can be challenging, the psychological and spiritual benefits to forgiveness, how to forgive, and gives many examples of true forgiveness. The authors express in detail what true forgiveness looks like and how letting go of the pain others inflict upon you can provide a chance at renewing the relationship and healing. The book explains how unforgiveness can spin you into a traumatic cycle of hatred and bitterness and how to break the cycle, even in the most difficult of situations. McCullough, Sandage, and Worthington’s To Forgive is Human: How to Put Your Past in the Past was published in 1997 (InterVarsity Press [Downers
What is it that you think when you hear the words Intermittent Fasting? Do i starve myself to lose weight? Isn’t this used in Religion? In the matter of fact yes and no to both of those questions. Lets explain what Intermittent Fasting is. What is Intermittent Fasting? Intermittent Fasting is a diet in which you cycle through different patterns of eating and fasting in time set periods. Intermittent Fasting does not state in which diet you have to be on or whether you should be on a diet at all. It technically is just guidelines to set you on a eating schedule and fasting schedule in which during the time of the fasting period you will consume all your calories that you would have for the day.
...ons believe in fasting as stated in the holy books. Both Holy books state that followers should pray to God and Allah for it is considered holy and right (Jaoudi, 7).
(14) “Jesus said to them, ‘If you fast, you will give rise to sin for yourselves; and if you pray, you will be condemned; and if you give alms, you will do harm to your spirits’…”
Since Lent if a period of prayer and fasting, it is fitting for Christians to imitate their Lord with a forty day period. Christ used a forty day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for his ministry, which culminated in his death and resurrection, and thus it is fitting for Christians to imitate him with a forty day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration of his ministry's climax, Good Friday (the day of the crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (the day of the resurrection).