Tag Archives: Lent

Lent vs Resurrection Day

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tombSorry, no clever April Fool’s post this year. If you can’t find anything else, Google always has some interesting offerings.

I did want to comment on one of the articles in today’s “Links To Go.” The ever-insightful N.T. Wright asks why we emphasize Lent over Resurrection Day, why suffering seems to find a better place in our churches than celebration does.

It’s a good question. To my mind, the Bible emphasizes Christians celebrating what Christ has done much more than it does “afflicting our souls” (to use the Old Testament term).

I would add that our celebration often picks up much from the secular celebrations of Spring. It’s easier to celebrate Easter than it is to celebrate the Resurrection.

What do you think? Are we too much into fasting and not enough into feasting?

photo courtesy of CreationSwap.com

Additional thoughts on Lent

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Like most things in life, there seem to be two extreme positions concerning Lent. On the one hand, some see it as a sinful manmade innovation that should be avoided by all true Christians. Others see it as an essential part of Christian life.

And, like most things in life, I think the correct answer lies somewhere between the extremes. Romans 14 clearly states that observing special days is a matter of conscience, with room for diversity in the body of Christ. As far as the general concept of fasting, I’m all in favor of it. Admittedly, my beliefs outpace my practice in this area. I think fasting should be a normal part of Christian life. (I did a week-long series on fasting last May)

As far as the Christian calendar, I personally feel that the Christian calendar is a bit contrived, forcing special days to fall on certain days of the week to fit church tradition. I would be more comfortable with some form of the Jewish calendar, working Christian observances into the seasons as seen fit. Easter would be naturally linked to Passover, for example. Why not follow a biblically-based calendar rather than one based on a pagan calendar? Admittedly, the modern Jewish calendar is not exactly the same as that in the Bible, but a lunar-based calendar would bring us closer to the rhythms of the first century, should we wish to approach that.

I have nothing against the observation of Lent, if you choose to go that route, but I’ve seen nothing in that particular observance that leads me to want to practice it.

Questions About Lent

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I’d like to hear some thoughts on Lent. Growing up, Lent was something I was only vaguely aware of. I had an Episcopalian friend in grade school that I remember mentioning it once; that was about the only conscious contact I had with someone who observed Lent.

Lent used to be pretty unheard of in Churches of Christ, but now it’s coming into fashion, especially among younger generations. John Mark Hicks has written a post in favor of observing the Christian calendar. Todd Bouldin has written a whole series: Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3, Pt. 4, Pt. 5.

Richard Beck wrote an interesting post which comes closer to reflecting my feelings, entitled Ambivalence About Lent.

I’m still not in. Tell me what you think.