Lent is coming!

[Higgaion]

As a sola scriptura believing Protestant I do not acknowledge Lent and for the life of me can't understand why others do.

 

[good4u]

As a sola scriptura believing Protestant I do not acknowledge Lent and for the life of me can't understand why others do.

Hig,

That is because we are not part of "tradition," and are free from ties that bind. But not everyone is the same and this is where we must be understanding--so it is freedom in grace.

 

[ChoirDir]

As a sola scriptura believing Protestant I do not acknowledge Lent and for the life of me can't understand why others do.

The Great Lent prepares for the Lord's Resurrection. It is a commemoration of our Lord's 40 days spent fasting in the wilderness. It is Biblical in origination.

 

[IrelandLuva]

As a sola scriptura believing Protestant I do not acknowledge Lent and for the life of me can't understand why others do.

Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you go to church on Sundays?

Is Lent in any way unbiblical? We are told to fast in the bible. Lent is based off of Christ's 40 days fasting. It is part of the Easter celebration, along with Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

I am a sola scriptura believing protestant and proud of it. I celebrate lent because it is a good time to get closer to God as far as I am concerned. I give up things that are not good for me or have started to become controlling and end by fasting so that on Easter I am as close to God as I can be. I fast because we are told to in the scripture and I choose to do it at time where I will be thinking the most about Christ's sacrifice for us. I hope that helps you understand why some of us "celebrate Lent".

 

[Higgaion]

Hig,

That is because we are not part of "tradition," and are free from ties that bind. But not everyone is the same and this is where we must be understanding--so it is freedom in grace.

good,

I agree we are free (in a sense) and that not everyone is the same so we must have understanding, as you said. I can tell you have a charitable attitude and wish not to cause strife or division, which is also admirable. However, I have a somewhat different perspective. While I can tolerate these “traditions” and recognize that many of those who practice them are true brothers in Christ, I can’t accept the practice as right and normative and believe those who do are greatly erring.

The Great Lent prepares for the Lord's Resurrection. It is a commemoration of our Lord's 40 days spent fasting in the wilderness. It is Biblical in origination.

Choir,

I think you assumed I am ignorant of Lent and the reasoning for it, which is not what I was trying to say. I don’t reject it because I don’t understand it, but because it’s un-scriptural. I take it that when you say it’s “biblical in origin”, you mean that it is intended to focus attention on certain biblical truth and events, not that it has any real basis in the Word. Am I right? Those are very different things. One is compatible with Sola Scriptura, and the other isn’t.

Do you celebrate Christmas? Do you go to church on Sundays?

Luva,

I go to church on Sundays. I don’t celebrate Christmas.

Is Lent in any way unbiblical?

Well, I think it is, clearly.

We are told to fast in the bible.

Where? I know that the disciples fasted and that the Lord told them what to do when they did, but how does that translate into a command for us? And even if it did, I don’t think it would be relevant to the topic.

Lent is based off of Christ's 40 days fasting. It is part of the Easter celebration, along with Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

All right. Great. Well, I don’t do any of those either.

I am a sola scriptura believing protestant and proud of it.

Yet you still do Lent which is totally un- or extra-biblical? Exactly how does that square with SS? It seems to me that it’s inconsistent at the very least. Then again, maybe we’re not operating on the same definition of SS.

I celebrate lent because it is a good time to get closer to God as far as I am concerned.

Can’t you do this any time you choose? If not, what makes Lent a better time than any other time?

I give up things that are not good for me or have started to become controlling and end by fasting so that on Easter I am as close to God as I can be. I fast because we are told to in the scripture and I choose to do it at time where I will be thinking the most about Christ's sacrifice for us. I hope that helps you understand why some of us "celebrate Lent”.

Well, no, it doesn’t really help me “get over the hump” so to speak, but I appreciate the explanation of why you do as you do. I can’t condone it, but you seem sincere which is always a good sign.

 

[ChoirDir]

I don’t reject it because I don’t understand it, but because it’s un-scriptural.

Fasting was passed on in the early Church from Jewish practice. In Matthew, Christ says, "When you fast do not be like the hypocrites," which indicates that the Jews fasted -- it also indicates that Christ assumes that one fasts, for He says "when you fast" not "if you fast." Fasting is not something that only developed alongside Christianity; rather, it is a practice that had been followed by the Jews, and even Scripture mentions that Christ fasted.
You state you don't celebrate Christmas. If Jesus Christ is your Saviour why wouldn't you celebrate our Saviour's Nativity? Do you celebrate Easter?

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

I fast at other times as well, but Lent is a time of reflection for me, specifically reflection on Christ's sacrifice for us. Other times I fast for various reasons but Lent for me is specific. You say that the command to fast is not for us today, you can apply that same logic to the command on how to pray or the Lord's supper as both of those were given to the disciples as well. It makes no sense in that context. Lent is the same as scheduling a vacation to me, only I schedule a vaction from the flesh every year. Driving a car is not mentioned in the Bible and I do that as well. I do it at this time of the year becuase it allows me to fellowship with others doing the same thing for the same reason. I do not do it because my church does it, my church doesn't in fact teach a recognizing of sacrifices during Lent, although quite a few members do, it is not by any means a doctrinal point, nor do I teach people to do it. It is personal to me and between me and God. The very reakl reason I choose this specific time of year is the fellowship with others doing the same thing. You would have to show me that it is contrary to the Bible for it to be against sola scriptura. I can explain that staement if you like, it is not an attack on your beliefs but rather an illustration that sola scriptura does support fasting, the time of year I fast is my choice and this is one of the times that I choose to do so.

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

*MOD HAT ON*

The original poster asked:

Lent is coming!


So, what are you planning on giving up?

The question did not ask for your opinion of Lent. So please. . .get back on track. If you have nothing to add in direct answer to the question. . .go to another thread.

Thank you

 

[wvmtnkid]

I have been trying to come up with something to give up this year and I am thinking about giving up tv for Lent! This will be hard for me as I am addicted to several television shows like Survivor, CSI and ER. I am comforted by one two thoughts: re-runs and taped shows!

Actually I have bought some books that I would like to read during the time that would normally spend watching tv that I hope will help me to work on some areas of my spiritual life and walk with Christ that need a bit of a pick-me up!

 

[Photini]

I have been trying to come up with something to give up this year and I am thinking about giving up tv for Lent! This will be hard for me as I am addicted to several television shows like Survivor, CSI and ER. I am comforted by one two thoughts: re-runs and taped shows!

Actually I have bought some books that I would like to read during the time that would normally spend watching tv that I hope will help me to work on some areas of my spiritual life and walk with Christ that need a bit of a pick-me up!

After about the first week or two, you begin to realize what a constant trespasser and disturber of the peace that the television really is.

 

[loveisallyouneed]

After about the first week or two, you begin to realize what a constant trespasser and disturber of the peace that the television really is.

It's poison! I'm sorry, I have to say that every chance I get. Really, I think TV is evil, even more than gay people seeking civil unions. It's corrupting our youth!



No, I'm serious! I never watch that darn thing, have you seen the quality of the shows? It's ridiculous, people eating worms for money, pretending to be someones obnoxious fiance? No wonder the world thinks we're buffoons!

 

[Photini]

It's poison! I'm sorry, I have to say that every chance I get. Really, I think TV is evil, even more than gay people seeking civil unions. It's corrupting our youth!



No, I'm serious! I never watch that darn thing, have you seen the quality of the shows? It's ridiculous, people eating worms for money, pretending to be someones obnoxious fiance? No wonder the world thinks we're buffoons!

I agree!! Another interesting observation that I made, was that after about 3 or 4 weeks or so of no television and moving it out of the living room, my children actually began to get along better and play nicely for longer periods of time.

 

[loveisallyouneed]

I agree!! Another interesting observation that I made, was that after about 3 or 4 weeks or so of no television and moving it out of the living room, my children actually began to get along better and play nicely for longer periods of time.

See! For me the world becomes a much more calm place without TV because I always only ever watched the news, and the news is worst of all! They'll only broadcast all the sensational horrific stories of murderers and thieves. I'll never forget watching 'Bowling for Columbine' and how Michael Moore tries to tell us that we're a nation built on fear, and a lot of it is based on what we watch in the news. I couldn't agree more! Then ten seconds later they bombard you with all of these commercials, it's like a drug that says: Did the news depress you? Are you fearful and worried? Come down to WalMart and buy this DVD! Come down to the dealership and buy this Mercedes Benz! All this stuff will make you powerful, cool, and safe!

 

[loveisallyouneed]

To answer the original question, I'll be observing the fasts for Lent and that's my sacrifice! Generally I just try to meditate during this time and put myself in the shoes of our Lord Jesus everyday, not just on the fast days. A priest once told me that fasting and observing Lent isn't just about giving things up but of putting on the role of Jesus, and taking that Lenten attitude and applying it everyday.



BTW I love Lent! It's my favorite time of the year.

 

[sunshine]

this year I'm going to give up:
chocolate
pop
sugary snacks (including chips)

I'm addicted to all of the above, so it will be hard to give up (but that is, after all, the point!)

 

[puriteen18]

Here I am to set straight the Calvinist veiw again.

Contrary to popular belief Calvinist have had from the begining days of observance. NO, we don't observe Lent or any other 'season', but we do have these:

The Set Days of Observance

The Feast of the Nativity of our LORD
The Feast of the Resurection of our LORD
The Feast of the Ascention of our LORD
The Feast of Pentecost
(All of which were observed on LORD's Days, not necessarily on the traditional dates.)

The Week of the Passion of our LORD.

Days of Observance held in the local church by ordinance of the Elders

Days of Public Thanksgiving
Days of Public or Common Fasting
Days of Public Repentance
________________________________

Other than these I have also heard of Days of Public Mourning, but found no evidence to prove that it was historically held.