Lent

[stephanieamber]

I don't intend to start a debate here, but since in expressing my own opinion I've been accused of "misunderstanding," I feel justified in responding.



That's exactly what I said it was: a time set aside to celebrate something we're supposed to celebrate every day, by giving up something we either A.) should give up all the time (either a sin or an idol), or B.) are not required to give up at all (thus an empty sacrifice). Even a mature understanding of the event, which you have but most people do not, doesn't erase that fact: that it replaces what should be a constant contemplation with a seasonal one. That is the fundamental problem I have with Lent, even aside from the fact that it's mostly practiced in total frivolity and insincerity.

Isn't the idea that it's supposed to be PERSONAL? It's strange to me that you reject the idea of a time of spiritual growth because of the societal interpretation of it. If that's the case, why celebrate any sort of seasonal remembrance of our faith if you are not incorporating it into your daily life?

As far as I'm concerned, we are a gluttonous, greedy society and anything that encourages people to address this - religious or not - even temporarily - is worth looking in to.

If we only decide to celebrate or observe things that have not been perverted or watered down, we will be celebrating nothing corporately because it's all been screwed with.

 

[citizenthom]

It's strange to me that you reject the idea of a time of spiritual growth because of the societal interpretation of it.

I reject the idea of a "time" of spiritual growth, because it necessarily means there is a time you aren't seeking spiritual growth, in plain deviation from the Scriptural command to "pray without ceasing." A time of temporary diligence necessitates a norm of non-diligence.

If that's the case, why celebrate any sort of seasonal remembrance of our faith if you are not incorporating it into your daily life?

Good point, because you see the results of that in "Christmas and Easter Christians," who neglect their faith the rest of the year. I personally don't place much spiritual emphasis on church holidays for exactly that reason. And I see Lent much the same way.

 

[Luther073082]

I reject the idea of a "time" of spiritual growth, because it necessarily means there is a time you aren't seeking spiritual growth, in plain deviation from the Scriptural command to "pray without ceasing." A time of temporary diligence necessitates a norm of non-diligence.

Let me put it this way. Lent is more or less a time of increased spiritual growth by being called to do things that we would only usually do temporarily. Such as controling our diets or fasting, sacrificing of ourselves.

For me Lent means that I'm attending worship twice a week instead of once a week. During Pentacost I still attend worship once a week. During Lent I do it twice. Typically I do 2 bible studies during Lent instead of one. During Pentacost, I still do one bible study a week typically. During Lent I do 2. (Although not this year because of wedding plans)

Good point, because you see the results of that in "Christmas and Easter Christians," who neglect their faith the rest of the year. I personally don't place much spiritual emphasis on church holidays for exactly that reason. And I see Lent much the same way.

But why should you let the way other people treat them affect the way you treat it. Perhaps by treating it with the importance it deserves you can inpsire others to do the same.

Personally I have EXTRA patience during Christmas time because most people have less. Seeing people running around acting like jerks during that season depresses me but it also reminds me to have more patience. Because I want to demontrate through my life what Christmas should be about.

Personally, I disagree with you that Lent is taken the wrong way by most of the people who follow it though. Lent is a sacrifice and making sacrifices for your faith means you are taking it seriously. People who are lax about their faith during normal times are going to be just as lax during lent. They won't see any reason to participate any more then they will during other times.

I would guess that if you took people who actually take part in Lent, most of those people make their faith a central part of their life.

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

But why should you let the way other people treat them affect the way you treat it.

Bingo

 

[alfrodull]

In the past I have attended churches that observe Lent, but organized fasting (or other similar sacrifices) is not something I really agree with. If an individual feels called to fast, fine, then yes, they should. Fasting can be beneficial when undertaken with the right attitude. But I refuse to believe that every Christian in the world can get in the right state of mind to benefit from it every time Lent rolls around, especially when Easter falls late and spring is coming around and creation itself is reveling in the lord's bounty.

I understand that nowadays Lent is used to teach important spiritual lessons, but I don't think it's right for churches to press it on everyone. Otherwise it does turn into something that people do just to fit in or appear holier-than-thou.

 

[sweetlambofgod]

my church doesn't, and Ive tried but I usually fail. This year, well depending how this afternoon goes I might give something up or I might just do something instead

 

[Quoth]

Blind post to the OP:

This is the first year I'm observing Lent. I believe that fasting from a "material thing" can't hurt, though I don't think God's going to give me any "spiritual brownie points" for observing Lent, which is a human tradition. Still, I believe that abstinence from worldly desires and things can only strengthen our resolve against the enemy, and it is because of that fact that I choose to observe Lent from this year forward.

 

[sweetlambofgod]

So what is everyone giving up for Lent??

 

[Bitnd12]

Blind post to the OP:

This is the first year I'm observing Lent. I believe that fasting from a "material thing" can't hurt, though I don't think God's going to give me any "spiritual brownie points" for observing Lent, which is a human tradition. Still, I believe that abstinence from worldly desires and things can only strengthen our resolve against the enemy, and it is because of that fact that I choose to observe Lent from this year forward.

Ding, ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.

Personally, I see no Biblical basis for Lent - as far as I know, anyway - BUT I do see a Biblical basis for fasting. Because Lent emphasizes fasting and increased prayer, I'm in. Plus, as Kirk was saying, it is a way to remember Jesus, the temptations He dealt with in the desert and the sacrifices that He made on our behalf on the cross. If He can DIE for me, than I can certainly give up Facebook and spend more time in prayer with/for Him. Plus, there's something in Joel about returning to the Lord with sorrow and mourning for our sins. Another reason that I, a self proclaimed pseudo-Baptist, will be observing Lent.

On a side note, I also like the Catholic notion of ashes because "From ashes you came and to ashes you will return." A reminder to remember that someday, we will have to answer for our actions.

And to answer sweetlamb's question because I don't want to go back and multi quote: I will be giving up Facebook and the internet in general -- minus a faith based group and page that I am running and my school email account. I will also be going to the gym more (the gym is honestly a very spiritual time for me. I zone out and reflect on God.) and spending more time with my Bible.

 

[Luther073082]

On a side note, I also like the Catholic notion of ashes because "From ashes you came and to ashes you will return." A reminder to remember that someday, we will have to answer for our actions.

In the Lutheran church we do the same thing except we say "dust" instead of ashes.

In fact they will be having that service tonight.

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

So what is everyone giving up for Lent??

Sweets, candy and the sort.

Most people that know me think thats easy for me because I'm not a huge sweet eater. But what I ban myself from is so broad thats its still fairly difficult. If its solid and has processed sugars, its out. (I leave an opening for pop/soda because I don't think I could give that up for 6 weeks)

I've tried two other things in previous lents and they where both too easy.

Some day I'd like to think of something different but I havn't as yet.

 

[Bitnd12]

Kirk,

I guess that it's dust across the board, then. I misquoted/spoke. Point being, I think it's really cool. Got my ashes this afternoon.

 

[kevlite2020]

blind post: this is the first year I'm celebrating lent. It almost seems silly, because the things I'm trying to give up are the things I've been struggling against and trying to give up anyways. It does provide some good extra motivation, but it's tough. I've already failed on one of the things I gave up, it's been what, 3 days? bleh. It blows my mind that Jesus resisted temptation, after 40 days of fasting no less.

 

[sweetlambofgod]

I failed mine too Kev! What did you give up?

 

[Apollo Celestio]

So what is everyone giving up for Lent??

Inane religious practic-

 

[Sketcher]

I was pretty vague in my response, but you have a good grasp of Lent. It can be taken as a time of spiritual growth as well. I'm not generally inclined to give up a food as a sacrifice other than the required fasting and abstinence. My Lenten observance has been more rewarding when I've taken it as an opportunity to be a little more disciplined in my spiritual life (e.g rosary, attending daily Mass, etc) so I can take habits to carry over beyond Lent, or more correctly, what I should have been doing all along. It just feels a bit cheap to me to say give up sweets just to start eating them again after Easter and call that a penance. I'm not going to criticize someone for doing that as a sacrifice because that's a personal decision. If you can take the fruits of that sacrifice beyond Lent, I would say it was fruitful.

This is what Lent would be like when practiced correctly, IMO. I don't see a Biblical command for Lent, but we are constantly supposed to be growing. If we're going to cast off the weights and sins (Heb 12:1), why intentionally pick them up again 40 days later. And while giving up sweets or pizza or something like that may be a personal sacrifice of love, what I recall Jesus saying about how to love him is obeying his commands (John 14:15, 21). A meaty Lent would be improving in this area, and of course, making it stick. Which we're supposed to do all year anyway.

So to answer the OP, no, I don't practice Lent. I'm not utterly closed to a right concept of Lent, though.

 

[kevlite2020]

I failed mine too Kev! What did you give up?

I gave up all sweets/junk food, All drinks except for juice and water, I'm planning on reading the Bible for at least 30 mins everyday, and then I gave up a couple other things I wouldn't be allowed to talk about here.

How bout you, what did you give up?

 

[Luther073082]

Wow I've never failed at a lent, much less failed so quickly.

However I will say take it as an opprotunity to get up and try again instead of just quitting.

 

[sweetlambofgod]

Wow I've never failed at a lent, much less failed so quickly.

However I will say take it as an opprotunity to get up and try again instead of just quitting.

what did you give up???

 

[Luther073082]

what did you give up???

Pretty much any food that could be considered candy or a desert. No ice cream, chocolate, cakes, pies, candy etc etc etc.

 

[Gym]

how is:

A dessert?