What is the point of Lent..?

Tellyontellyon · 2026-02-20T18:55:00-0600

What is the point of Lent... do Christians have to do it? Has it got any bearing on salvation?

Unqualified · 2026-02-20T22:49:31-0600

I think it has more to do with Catholicism.

Apple Sky · 2026-02-21T00:02:11-0600

Tellyontellyon said:
What is the point of Lent... do Christians have to do it? Has it got any bearing on salvation?

I hope not, I just luv my food

Lukaris · 2026-02-21T02:05:18-0600

Tellyontellyon said:
What is the point of Lent... do Christians have to do it? Has it got any bearing on salvation?

It’s not a requirement but it is a way of walking with the Lord ( 1 John 2:6) in which we add emphasis. The areas we add emphasis to are what the Lord always calls us to in alms giving ( charity), prayer, & fasting ( Matthew 6:1-18). We do this in a spirit of thanksgiving ( 2 Corinthians 9:6-15) for what the Lord has done to save us by His cross & resurrection (Isaiah 53:1-12, John 3:16-21, Colossians 1:10-24, 1 Corinthians 15:19-24).

David Lamb · 2026-02-21T02:06:21-0600

Tellyontellyon said:
What is the point of Lent... do Christians have to do it? Has it got any bearing on salvation?

Lent, like most other special periods or days some Christians keep (like Christmas, Easter, Advent, Trinity Sunday, etc.), is not even mentioned in the bible, so certainly Christians don't have to keep Lent, and it has absolutely no bearing on whether or not somebody is saved.

Tellyontellyon · 2026-02-21T03:30:38-0600

David Lamb said:
Lent, like most other special periods or days some Christians keep (like Christmas, Easter, Advent, Trinity Sunday, etc.), is not even mentioned in the bible, so certainly Christians don't have to keep Lent, and it has absolutely no bearing on whether or not somebody is saved.

Fasting is mentioned n by Jesus himself.. so maybe Lent encourages fasting in a general sense, not only food necessarily?

FireDragon76 · 2026-02-21T04:30:59-0600

Tellyontellyon said:
What is the point of Lent... do Christians have to do it? Has it got any bearing on salvation?

Lent comes from an ancient Christian practice used to receive the lapsed in time for Easter, especially those who had fallen back into paganism or apostasized, back into normal church life. They made restitution to the community and to God through penance and probation. Eventually, it became a normal Christian practice as a sign of solidarity and community formation, and took on deeper spiritual significance as Christian theology and practice developed.

Many churches observe Lent, but some Protestant sects or churches do not.

David Lamb · 2026-02-21T04:38:28-0600

Tellyontellyon said:
Fasting is mentioned n by Jesus himself.. so maybe Lent encourages fasting in a general sense, not only food necessarily?

Yes, fasting is mentioned by Jesus and by others in the bible, but not in respect of a period beginning on so-called Ash Wednesday.

John Bauer · 2026-02-21T06:04:50-0600

Unqualified said:
I think it has more to do with Catholicism.

Lutherans also observe Lent, do they not?

Servus · 2026-02-21T08:57:04-0600

Tellyontellyon said:
What is the point of Lent... do Christians have to do it? Has it got any bearing on salvation?

Lent is a discipline. It's giving up on something for a period of time to build resolve. Could be sweets, rich food, alcohol, watching TV etc. And best yet, replacing whatever you gave up with prayer, helping others, reading the Bible etc.

chevyontheriver · 2026-02-21T09:26:14-0600

David Lamb said:
Yes, fasting is mentioned by Jesus and by others in the bible, but not in respect of a period beginning on so-called Ash Wednesday.

So do you fast? When do you fast? Most people don't fast. Most Christians don't fast. But Jesus thought it would be normal for us to fast, so he told us how to act when we fast.

Lukaris · 2026-02-21T10:36:57-0600

Fasting in Lent is patterned after the examples of the prophets; there is overlap but a main emphasis with each. Joel emphasized repentance ( Joel 2:12-18). Isaiah emphasized charity ( Isaiah 58:1-14). Daniel emphasizes the physical living aspect of diet, prayer etc. ( Daniel 1:8-21 etc.). These are the examples understood to be in line for fasting in the overall instruction of the Lord ( Matthew 6:15-18).

chevyontheriver · 2026-02-21T10:46:17-0600

Lukaris said:
Fasting in Lent is patterned after the examples of the prophets; there is overlap but a main emphasis with each. Joel emphasized repentance ( Joel 2:12-18). Isaiah emphasized charity ( Isaiah 58:1-14). Daniel emphasizes the physical living aspect of diet, prayer etc. ( Daniel 1:8-21 etc.). These are the examples understood to be in line for fasting in the overall instruction of the Lord ( Matthew 6:15-18).

Should Christians fast? Some might say that OT examples are not important to NT believers.

Lukaris · 2026-02-21T11:16:47-0600

chevyontheriver said:
Should Christians fast? Some might say that OT examples are not important to NT believers.

The Lord says “when you fast” in Matthew 6:16-18. The examples of the prophets were used by the early church. Where else should they go? We can’t fast as Moses did by abstaining for 40 days. The Lord, I believe, fasted 40 days as part of fulfilling the Law ( Matthew 4:1-17).

We should fast, if or as we are able, if we do it as the Lord shows us. It is a way to walk as the Lord walked ( 1 John 2:1-6). It is up to the individual & not a judgment ( Matthew 7:1) either way.

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What is the point of Lent..?

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