(And yes, this is my beautiful, intelligent, faithful, incredible wife who has put up with hereticman by the grace of God for over 18 years :)

I think that the quote from Isaiah suggests that God is not impressed by fasting or abstinence if it is strictly an exercise in self-improvement. Rather, these practices are supposed to help us to be more in tune with others, especially those less fortunate, and with the God who cares for them. During Lent, Christians have traditionally linked fasting and abstinence with almsgiving and other acts of charity. For example, instead of buying a meal for yourself, you could take the money that you would have spent and use it to by a meal for someone else.

Abstaining from Facebook, a favorite TV show, etc. can be a good idea. What would make it even better is to recycle that time in a constructive way to express care and love toward God and toward others. That, I think, is the essence of Isaiah 58:6-7.

But one word of caution is in order. During Lent, it is never, ever advisable to abstain from UBFriends.

One thing I wanted to mention that you touch on in point two, but don’t foreground, is that “fasting” during the Lenten season doesn’t necessarily have to be food related. I appreciate that yes, the definition of “fasting” does center around abstaining from food and/or drink; however, I think that the key to fasting during Lent is to deny oneself something of substance as a prayer offering to remember Christ and to share in his sufferings and sacrifice in some way (as you mentioned). That “something” doesn’t only have to be food/drink based. The verse you cited in Isaiah said “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.” These do not necessarily involve physical food or drink.

My point is not to criticize, but to open up the possibility for those that may be unfamiliar with Lent and who may not be able to deny themselves food/drink for whatever reason, that abstaining from or “fasting” a favorite TV show, for example, or an hour a day spent on Facebook (or whatever), if done with the right heart and spirit, can also be pleasing to God and can help us to remember Christ’s sacrifice during this season.

I’m interested about the book you referenced by McKnight; does he refer to fasting only as based on food and drink, or does he see the possibility of “fasting” or “abstaining” in other areas as well?

If there is anything we “must” do, it is to remember the pain of those who went before us.

Maybe this is a typo. You wrote in your article: “The Incarnation of the Son of God was not meant to redeem our bodies, not to defeat them.”

Did you mean this instead? “The Incarnation of the Son of God was meant to redeem our bodies, not to defeat them.”

When I think of Point #2, I’m reminded of the song “Man in Black” by Johnny Cash. He was a man who closely identified with the poor, the marginalized, and those who were in prison. His custom of wearing black was a spiritual practice.

This Lent I’m moved as never before, not to give up something, but to deny my self and listen, speak, and ponder more deeply. This does in fact require me to give up my own pride, woundedness and sense of failure. I am finding this Lent that God has indeed given me a ministry, and I seek to hear His voice leading me to discover that ministry and where it may lead.