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T17 reasoning: Fasting rules

Reasoning steps: Fasting rules

Verdicts: T17 · Fasting rules. Method: conventions, scoring and proximity eras. Scripture is the primary measure; fathers are weighed by era (Era I to c. 150 = 1.0, II = 0.8, III = 0.6, IV = 0.4).

T17.1: Fasting rules

Step T17.1.1: Scripture

Matt 6:16 (‘when you fast’) and 9:15 (’then they will fast’) expect fasting; Acts 13:2–3 shows the church fasting. No fixed days are commanded, and Col 2:20–23 warns against imposed regulations.

Step T17.1.2: Patristic evidence

Didache (Era I): ‘fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday)’. Sources: didache-t17-s1.

Step T17.1.3: Weighing decision

Weekly Wednesday and Friday fasts are Era I; the forty-day Lent is Era III. Verdict: fixed fasting is Era I practice.

  • Confidence: Medium–high.

Step T17.1.4: Source-proximity weighing

  • Scripture (benchmark): Fasting is expected (Matt 6:16; 9:15) but no days are commanded; imposed rules are warned against (Col 2:20–23). (Scripture confidence: medium)
  • Assessment: Era I has fixed fasts; Scripture expects fasting but leaves days free.

T17.2: Should Wednesdays and Fridays be fast days?

Step T17.2.1: Scripture

Matt 6:16 (‘when you fast’); Matt 9:15; Acts 13:2–3. No days are fixed.

Step T17.2.2: Patristic evidence

Didache 8 (Era I): ’they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but fast on the fourth day and the Preparation (Friday)’. Sources: didache-t17-s2.

Step T17.2.3: Weighing decision

Era I fixes Wednesday and Friday; Scripture assumes fasting but fixes no days. Verdict: early practice, not commanded.

  • Confidence: Medium-high.

Step T17.2.4: Source-proximity weighing

  • Scripture (benchmark): ‘When you fast’ (Matt 6:16). (Scripture confidence: medium)
  • Assessment: Scripture scores 3; patristic scores follow practice.

Post-750 development by tradition

Catholic

See the note below.

  • T17.1 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 3/4): Lent; Friday abstinence.
  • T17.2 (fathers 3/4; Scripture 3/4): Friday abstinence.

Orthodox

See the note below.

  • T17.1 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 3/4): Wednesday and Friday; Lent.
  • T17.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 3/4): Wednesday and Friday.

Oriental Orthodox

See the note below.

  • T17.1 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 3/4): Extensive fasting calendar.
  • T17.2 (fathers 4/4; Scripture 3/4): Wednesday and Friday.

Lutheran

See the note below.

  • T17.1 (fathers 3/4; Scripture 3/4): AC XXVI: fasting commended, not imposed.
  • T17.2 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): No fixed fast.

Anglican

See the note below.

  • T17.1 (fathers 3/4; Scripture 3/4): 1662 ‘Table of Fasts’: Lent, Fridays.
  • T17.2 (fathers 3/4; Scripture 3/4): 1662 table of fasts: ‘All the Fridays in the Year, except Christmas Day’ (verified, eskimo.com 1662 text).

Presbyterian

See the note below.

  • T17.1 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): WCF XXI.5: ‘solemn fastings’ on occasions.
  • T17.2 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): No fixed weekly fast.

Reformed Baptist

See the note below.

  • T17.1 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): 1689 22.5 (occasional).
  • T17.2 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): No fixed weekly fast.

General Baptist

See the note below.

  • T17.1 (fathers 3/4; Scripture 3/4): Orthodox Creed 42: public humiliation by fasting (OCR heading).
  • T17.2 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): No fixed weekly fast.

Anabaptist

See the note below.

  • T17.1 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): Not stated.
  • T17.2 (fathers 2/4; Scripture 3/4): No fixed weekly fast.