Give up Lent for Lent?

[ImaginaryDay]

This stuff truly makes me sick.

I'm Giving up Lent for Lent - Dr. Paul J. Dean Christian Blog

 

[~Anastasia~]

You know, a few sentences here and there of the article make sense. But I think the problem is that he draws all the wrong conclusions from them.

It isn't very charitable to condemn all Christians who observe Lent as "unbelievers" - if I properly understood that part. It's also not very wise. I am sure he would not like to be judged by the same measure he uses to condemn Christian brothers and sisters.

It also leaves a bad taste in my mouth to judge the thoughts and intentions of other believers, and assume most of them will automatically pervert the fast. It is possible, of course. Which is why the Church teaches us what our focus should be and warns us of pitfalls.

I find it a sadly narrow way of looking at things.

 

[Joseph Hazen]

This is the second article like this I've read in the past few days. I really wish I could understand this tendency among some American Protestants to disregard any attempt at actual scholarship, particularly as regards history. At almost every Christian holiday I am having to defend absolutely Christian beliefs and practices which have become so pervasively accepted as originating in Paganism that the neo-pagans think they've been wronged by Christians.

I almost want to start a website that just explictly lays it all out - the true sacred, Christian origin of Halloween. The non-existence of some pagan goddess named "Eostre." The Christian (actually Jewish) origins of Easter eggs and why the Christians looked to rabbits as a symbol of the Resurrection. The very-early origins of Lent and its fairly simple to follow development, the (Lutheran and German Christian) history of the Christmas Tree. With the advent of the internet the appalling ignorance so rampant about these traditions would be ridiculous, if it weren't so annoying.

Lent is coming/has arrived. We'll have to forgive those who know not what they condemn, or how to research, and move on to focus on our own spiritual development during the Great Fast.

 

[James Is Back]

This Protestant is going to celebrate Lent for the first time so I disagree with the article.

 

[FireDragon76]

Some people hate Roman Catholicism so much, it blinds them.

FWIW, I do not do austere practices for Lent. I used to but I thought it over and I realize I need to take baby steps for now. Spiritual reading, some prayer, and that's about it. I'm not fasting beyond trying to eat a sensible diet without junk or sweets (my health is not so good), and I'm not giving up anything for Lent, except possibly on Good Friday.

In fact the modern, Western lent you'll encounter in Roman Catholicism is fairly benign in terms of obligations or expectations. I'm not Roman Catholic but I just thought I'd point that out. Observing Lent need not be all that extreme or demanding. It's mostly a corporate act, in those churches that observe it, focused on specific readings of Scripture and corporate acts of repentance.

 

[Liberasit]

I'm not from the same culture of the author of the article and it doesn't make me feel sick. Perhaps there is something I am not getting in my xeno-ignorance.

To me, Lent is about making an extra effort to make room for God. It's personal and is not prescribed by church. Listening to God is what we do when we fast from whatever. I am fasting from social media this Lent which gives me many extra hours in God's presence - just me and him.

Lent is also about deepening relationships within church family. We do this in our fellowship through shared study and fellowship.

It's also about mission, which we do through a greater presence on the High Street and also through Almsgiving.