Ash Wednsday.....

[Proeliator]

Isnt that just a catholic thing, or does it have a place in the Protestant church as well?

 

[HiredGoon]

Some protestants celebrate holy days (Lutherans come to mind), but generally the Reformed do not. Some neither recognize Christmas nor Easter as well, since these are viewed as just the traditions of men, and not commanded in the Scriptures.

 

[seekingpurity047]

I'd say it's a catholic thing...

 

[Foundthelight]

Most Presbyterian Churches that I have attended have an Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and a Good Friday service as well as the Easter service.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

Many traditional Protestant Churches (Lutheran, Anglican and Reformed) do follow the Church calendar to a large degree.

I think it is an over reation to drop all church Holy days (i.e. holidays). We are given liberty in God's Word to observe one day over another and we also have the liberty to not do so.

I like to observe many holy days. I think they are good to make us reflect on what the Lord has done for us in history.

In the Roman Church, hardly a day goes by that is not set aside for some "saint" or event. I think Rome is over board on one side, and many Protestants have gone overboard in the other direction.

Lent, is supposed to be time of fasting and prayer, before Easter. It is to follow/observe the (moderately so) time Christ spent in the wilderness.

I think it can be a very good thing, if done rightly and biblically.

In Christ,
Kenith

 

[HiredGoon]

The Directory for the Publick Worship of God (1645)

"There is no day commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord's day, which is the Christian Sabbath.

Festival days, vulgarly called Holy-days, having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued."

Historically the Puritans did not celebrate holidays like Christmas, Easter, Ash Wednesday, etc. The Presbyterians followed suit for 200 years after the Puritan movement died out. Not until the early 20th century, did it become common to find Presbyterians celebrating such days. But there are still many Presbyterians today who do not.

 

[GQ Chris]

I'm a non-denominational Christian, but I will take the time out to observe this day.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

The Directory for the Publick Worship of God (1645)

"There is no day commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord's day, which is the Christian Sabbath.

Festival days, vulgarly called Holy-days, having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued."

Historically the Puritans did not celebrate holidays like Christmas, Easter, Ash Wednesday, etc. The Presbyterians followed suit for 200 years after the Puritan movement died out. Not until the early 20th century, did it become common to find Presbyterians celebrating such days. But there are still many Presbyterians today who do not.

All that you say is very true, but Puritanism is only one strain of Reformed thought and it differs in many ways from the early Reformers who saw things rather differently.

Bucer, for example, signed off on the 1552 Book of Common Prayer and all that was in it. Remember Bucer was Calvin's mentor.

Over the years I have migrated in my views from the Puritans to the early Reformers like Calvin and Bucer.

Remember the Puritans also did not wear wedding bands and at one time they made marriage to be a secular event (another over reaction to the RCC position that marriage was a sacrament).

I love the Puritans. They have blessed me very much, but they went over board (IMHO) on a number of issues, in ways that the early Reformers never would have dreamed of doing. Calvin's own view of the Sabbath is radically different from the Puritans. He would go lawn bowling on Sunday evenings. Would a Puritan have done that?

Coram Deo,
Kenith

 

[edie19]

Most Presbyterian Churches that I have attended have an Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and a Good Friday service as well as the Easter service.

That's always been my experience with the Presbyterian church also. I have a clear memory of the PCUSA church I grew up at having a Seder dinner once on Maundy Thursday. When I attended a UCC (which has reformational roots) they had weekly Wednesday services throughout Lent.

What I haven't seen denominationally, outside of the Roman church, is giving something up for Lent.

efdie

 

[lmnop9876]

What I haven't seen denominationally, outside of the Roman church, is giving something up for Lent.

never hear of the Eastern Orthodox Church?

 

[edie19]

never hear of the Eastern Orthodox Church?

I really know nothing about them - although there are a couple of Greek Orthodox (not sure if they're the same or not) churches in the area - I've never visited and the only thing I know about them is what I saw in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." And that amounts to baptism by immersion.

 

[jturpin4]

Some Protestant denominations that I can think of that observe Ash Wednesday, Lent, etc. is The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Lutheran, and Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA)