The Ideology of Fasting in the Reformation Era
The Ideology of Fasting in the Reformation Era
This chapter studies the practice of fasting. Despite the efforts of the early Christians to distance themselves from the legalism of Levitical food prohibitions, the Church had managed to invent its own intricate food rules, the most important of which was the compulsory fast during Lent. Fasting was always to be accompanied by prayer, and was construed essentially as an act of contrition, to facilitate forgiveness of sins and earn salvation. Meat, which is conceptually corrupting because it is inherently pleasurable, nutritious, and invigorating, and is linked directly to the libido, is excised from the diet as a form of self-punishment. The fast is also a proactive curb to the cardinal sin of gluttony, the first of the seven deadly sins. In sum, eating in a particular way and avoiding certain foods during specific times of the year is considered a devout act of piety.
Keywords: fasting, kosher laws, Lent, self-punishment, gluttony, act of piety
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