Should Christians observe Lent? I've seen a fair amount of "anti-lent" sentiments on social media lately (they seem more addressed to Catholics, but not exclusively), so the question has been on my mind. Thoughts?
I think the big issue is with Catholics who use Lent as a means of justifying themselves before God. I don't think Lent has to be that however. I think Lent can be practiced by evangelical (Gospel) Christians as a season of reflection and self-denial and in so being, a season of cultivating their spirituality. If a Christian seeks to practice Lent in the way I just described, my question would be why.
The Christian life as a whole is to be one of self-reflection. fasting should be a part of the normal Christian life. Lent practiced by Protestant Christians can be like a Spiritual Valentine's Day. Have you ever browsed The Greeting Card section of your local Super Market during Valentine's Day? The most common card is one that says, "I know I don't say I love you enough but..." In my marriage, Valentine's Day is just another day because as a pattern of life I am called to Woo my wife not just one day a year. Don't get me wrong, my wife gets flowers on Valentine's Day and she gets a romantic dinner as well. She also experienced those things a few weeks prior. Similarly, the discipline of fasting which is practiced during Lent is to be one that marks the Christian life. If a saint is feeling the need to practice Lent, even in an evangelical (Gospel-central) way, the concern is why do they feel the need? Are they playing spiritual catch up with fasting? The desire to practice Lent by evangelicals may be a result of lack of Spiritual vitality through every other season of their life as it relates to fasting. I do not think Lent is inherently wrong. I do think it can help a Christian in their walk. It can also play as a diagnostic upon a saints soul regarding their spiritual vitality. I think Lent for Catholics is anti-Gospel. I think Lent for Evangelicals is unnecessary if they are practicing a robust Christian life. Those are my thoughts in a nutshell. I welcome push back and any additional comments for clarification. Trace and peace!
The Christian life as a whole is to be one of self-reflection. fasting should be a part of the normal Christian life. Lent practiced by Protestant Christians can be like a Spiritual Valentine's Day. Have you ever browsed The Greeting Card section of your local Super Market during Valentine's Day? The most common card is one that says, "I know I don't say I love you enough but..." In my marriage, Valentine's Day is just another day because as a pattern of life I am called to Woo my wife not just one day a year. Don't get me wrong, my wife gets flowers on Valentine's Day and she gets a romantic dinner as well. She also experienced those things a few weeks prior. Similarly, the discipline of fasting which is practiced during Lent is to be one that marks the Christian life. If a saint is feeling the need to practice Lent, even in an evangelical (Gospel-central) way, the concern is why do they feel the need? Are they playing spiritual catch up with fasting? The desire to practice Lent by evangelicals may be a result of lack of Spiritual vitality through every other season of their life as it relates to fasting. I do not think Lent is inherently wrong. I do think it can help a Christian in their walk. It can also play as a diagnostic upon a saints soul regarding their spiritual vitality. I think Lent for Catholics is anti-Gospel. I think Lent for Evangelicals is unnecessary if they are practicing a robust Christian life. Those are my thoughts in a nutshell. I welcome push back and any additional comments for clarification. Trace and peace!