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”.
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.