Posted on 03/09/2011 4:52:40 PM PST by HarleyD
Over the past several weeks, I’ve been inclined to focus on the practice of Lent. I’ve seen my Roman Catholic friends do this for years, but I never gave it much thought. Yet Lutherans, Anglicans, and other denominations inheriting the Reformation tradition also observe this part of the liturgical calendar. Most people who practice Lent sacrifice something from their daily life (usually a food item) from Ash Wednesday until Maundy Thursday.
Its purported purpose is to imitate the suffering and temptation of Christ during His forty-day fast in the desert. In centuries past, the methods of penance were much more serious compared to the types of self-denial we commonly see today. Giving up sweets (for example) during the Lenten season may indeed trivialize the sufferings of Christ, but that’s not my main reason for opposing the practice.
Of the many theological errors before us, one of the most common is the confusion between historia salutis (redemption accomplished) and ordo salutis (redemption applied). The former represents those once-for-all, unrepeatable events in redemptive history. Roman Catholicism, for example, makes the serious mistake of confusing historia salutis and ordo salutis with respect to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross (i.e., their practice of the Mass in which Christ is “re-sacrificed”). Charismatic movements do the same thing with Pentecost.
Similarly, the practice of Lent takes the historia salutis event of Christ in the desert and turns it into something which can be counterfeited on an individual level. In doing so, it fits perfectly with a works-righteousness mentality. Inherent within Lent is the idea that its practice brings one “closer to God,” making a man-centered mockery of God’s grace.
Another unbiblical aspect of Lent is the very public manner in which it is practiced. Jesus condemned hypocrites for their outward displays of piety (Matt. 6:1-18), revealing the self-righteous nature of such gestures. Lent is very legalistic as well and Paul warns us against binding the conscience in areas which God has left free (Rom. 14:1-12). True sanctification involves the recognition that our consciences are liberated by Christ’s teachings (Mark 7:17-18) while also understanding that the corrupt, sinful heart is what separates us from God (vv. 20-23).
Looking at this unbiblical practice of self-imposed legalism, one can easily see why the Puritans decided to scrap the liturgical calendar entirely. The human heart loves this type of legalism and it greatly obscures the Gospel. There is something seriously wrong when people begin to see the Christian life in these terms. Having a meatless Friday isn’t going to bring us closer to God.
Indeed, the Christian life involves a daily introspection coram Deo that is much deeper than giving up chocolate or television for forty days. It’s understandable that Roman Catholics would keep this practice given their view of justification, but it pains me to see fellow Protestants engaging in Lent because it completely goes against the grain of Reformation theology.
Sacrificing a favorite food or pastime is not a means of sanctification. We must allow the simplicity of the Gospel to break through the traditions of man, even the seemingly innocuous ones. There are much bigger issues out there than Lent to be sure, but it’s a man-centered legalism which has no place among the people of God. The work of Christ is sufficient.
Lent is practice not only by Catholics but by some Protestants. Please consider this article.
My son-in-law tends to give things up for Lent. When he asks me what I am going to give up for Lent, I say “Lent”.
Good post, thanks.
I am not catholic but I am teaching my kids to give something up for lent. The reason, to remind them about what Jesus gave up for them. Its that simple.
All of the Lent and Easter abomination is pagan and God clearly condemned it in scripture.
Where do you find in the Bible that it's acceptable to lie about Catholic beliefs? Seems to me the ninth commandment (the way you guys number them) prohibits that sort of thing.
Really, the whole Christian thing is pagan and an abomination condemned by God in Scripture. Just ask any Orthodox Jew. /s
Did you even read the thread?
Just what part of this thread do Roman Catholics agree with???
lolol. Amen, Irish.
This is an excellent article, Harley. Thanks for posting it. From some of the comments it's pretty clear some people misunderstood your post and didn't even read the thread.
From the article...
the methods of penance
And right there is the problem. Lent is a hold-over from the papacy.
THERE IS NO PENANCE to be offered by the Christian.
There is only repentance, glory and gratitude. And that should be 24/7, 365 days a year.
Sadly, as you noted, even Protestant churches are not immune from the slippery slope of self-congratulations.
If we want to "give up" something, we can spend some time at a homeless shelter or give money to our church or favorite charity.
the practice of Lent takes the historia salutis event of Christ in the desert and turns it into something which can be counterfeited on an individual level. In doing so, it fits perfectly with a works-righteousness mentality.
AMEN!
As men are so prone to doing.
Oh, dear. Really? Again?
It is against the RF rules to say another FReeper is lying, speaking lies, bearing false witness, etc.
That is imputing motive and making it personal.
We are free to say we disagree with someone's opinion. We are not to say that opinion is a lie.
I wrote “Good post, thanks” in reply to the post of Harley’s that I replied to.
If you want to argue about that, I chose not to play.
I gave up smoking, booze, dancing, and going to movie theaters for Lent.
I gave up giving up. Fruitless as you can’t climb the ladder to heaven. Jesus did it for you by his sacrifice.
It is finished. Praise the Lord!
And what part of the Catholic beliefs is being lied about? I found this article pointed more towards Protestants than Catholics.
BTW-It’s the first commandment that is so troubling to Catholics-all that forbidding “not to bow down to idols”. So it doesn’t surprise me the Catholic numbering system of the Ten Commandments is a bit out of wack.
Its purported purpose is to imitate the suffering and temptation of Christ during His forty-day fast in the desert.
On the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished". It either IS finished, or God lies or need man to keep helping Him get it right because He can't seem to do it by Himself.
In doing so, it fits perfectly with a works-righteousness mentality. Inherent within Lent is the idea that its practice brings one “closer to God,” making a man-centered mockery of God’s grace.
Very well put. I like the use of the word mockery because that is exactly what it is. It reminds me of what Satan said to Eve in the garden. "Surely God didn't really mean what He said". The whole Lent thing screams, "Surely God didn't really mean what He did on the cross".
Another unbiblical aspect of Lent is the very public manner in which it is practiced. Jesus condemned hypocrites for their outward displays of piety (Matt. 6:1-18), revealing the self-righteous nature of such gestures...The human heart loves this type of legalism and it greatly obscures the Gospel. There is something seriously wrong when people begin to see the Christian life in these terms. Having a meatless Friday isn’t going to bring us closer to God.
Anyone who has ever been convicted by the Holy Spirit to the point of Godly repentance knows that this is a very private thing, not an announcement on Facebook of what they are giving up for Lent.
Looking at this unbiblical practice of self-imposed legalism, one can easily see why the Puritans decided to scrap the liturgical calendar entirely.
Gotta love those Puritans!
...it pains me to see fellow Protestants engaging in Lent because it completely goes against the grain of Reformation theology.
Amen.
The work of Christ is sufficient.
Amen and amen! Otherwise, He died for nothing.
/cut/
Article: ...it pains me to see fellow Protestants engaging in Lent because it completely goes against the grain of Reformation theology.
Lupie: On the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished". It either IS finished, or God lies or need man to keep helping Him get it right because He can't seem to do it by Himself.
/cut/
Article: ...it pains me to see fellow Protestants engaging in Lent because it completely goes against the grain of Reformation theology.
When we look at the history of redemption in Scripture, what is often times happening? God puts man into a deep sleep! The Biblical character is doing absolutely nothing but witnessing God at work.
A prime example that just rings out against lent and other types of works righteousness is the following:
Genesis 28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!
Remember the cute little song, ‘I am climbing Jacobs Ladder”? Children are taught that we are to ascend to God. I’ve heard that preached in Protestant churches! But what is Jacob doing? He is sound asleep. He isn’t climbing anything!
This is classic foreshadowing. It is God who built the ladder. Jesus came down the ladder to save us. We did and do nothing. We add nothing, well, we do add our sin. Christ is our rightousness.
Ping to 17
Excellent point about being in a deep sleep!
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