I wanted to share a great article on the subject of the Season of Lent. The author has given me permission to recreate it. I pray it proves to be a blessing to you…
ON KEEPING A HOLY LENT
Craig R. HigginsPeople from different religious backgrounds have very different reactions to the season of Lent.
Some grow up in churches where Lent is observed, but with little to no real explanation. Whether observed as a time of strict austerity or merely as a time of forgoing a few simple pleasures, in such cases Lent may seem like an empty, meaningless ritual.
On the other hand, some grow up in church traditions where Lent is not observed at all. These folks may think of Lenten observance as, at best, a hollow custom, or, at worst, quite foreign to authentic Christianity. As a matter of fact, many who grew up in church have the same the question as those who didn’t: “What is Lent, anyway?”
For the answer to that and other questions, read the rest of the article here.
I agree with some of Mr. Higgins points, but, when he says that we should “honor traditions”, I doubt the rest of his article. What semi-Christian religion follows traditions the most? The Roman Catholic Church! We do not need the “smells and bells”; we need the gospel. Therefore, although Mr. Higgins may have good points, I am wary of his whole article. The idea of basing our behavior on traditions of men rather than the Word of God is a major step on the “road to Rome”.
Thanks,
Nate
http://debtfreecollege.blogspot.com/
By: Nate @ Debt-free College on February 26, 2009
at 7:54 pm
My son was wondering what I was going to give up for Lent this year, and he jokingly suggested I could give up nausea(this is the sickest I’ve been with a pregnancy)!
Thank you for posting this. We were looking for something just like it. This will surely be a blessing to our family.
Blessings,
Amanda
By: Amanda on February 26, 2009
at 8:03 pm
Nate – just because the Roman church uses the church calendar does not negate its usefulness to us as well. Many protestant churches use the church calendar. We also use it in our home. It is a great vehicle to focus our family on what is really important – the Gospel.
For the record, the last time I checked, the Roman church also sings hymns and prays. I doubt we are going to throw those out the door.
Well, at least the singing part.
Peace
By: James McDonald on February 26, 2009
at 8:09 pm
Thank you for this post! It’s just what I needed to read through. We are also Presbyterian and we do observe Lent, but I was looking for something that would help us explain it to our 3 children to make it a meaningful time for them. I also needed the reminder of not entering into “morbid introspection” during the Lenten season. Good article.
By: Step on February 27, 2009
at 12:48 am