Annual Presbyterians Do Not Celebrate Lent Thread

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Backwoods Presbyterian

Puritanboard Amanuensis
Last year was the first time I realized that some Protestants do celebrate Lent and I thought it was well, kinda weird.
 
Too bad there's not an equally fervent "Presbyterians Do Not Celebrate Halloween" sentiment on the PB.

Papist traditions? Clearly wrong.

Satanic traditions? Lighten up, the kids are just having fun.
 
What's lent? I don't see that in my Bible. What's this ash wednesday stuff. I don't see any ashes falling out of the sky from a volcano or anything. Is it to symbolize judgment? Judgment is coming? :p
 
Here's what Wikipedia has to say:

Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and it marks the beginning of Lent. Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. An ancient example of one expressing one's penitence is found in Job 42:3–6. Job says to God: "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. The other eye wandereth of its own accord. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (vv. 5–6, KJV) The prophet Jeremiah, for example, calls for repentance this way: "O daughter of my people, gird on sackcloth, roll in the ashes" (Jer 6:26).The prophet Daniel pleaded for God this way: "I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes" (Daniel 9:3). Just prior to the New Testament period, the rebels fighting for Jewish independence, the Maccabees, prepared for battle using ashes: "That day they fasted and wore sackcloth; they sprinkled ashes on their heads and tore their clothes" (1 Maccabees 3:47; see also 4:39).

Other examples are found in several other books of the Bible including, Numbers 19:9, 19:17, Jonah 3:6, Matthew 11:21, and Luke 10:13, and Hebrews 9:13. Ezekiel 9 also speaks of a linen-clad messenger marking the forehead of the city inhabitants that have sorrow over the sins of the people. All those without the mark are destroyed.

It marks the start of a 43-day period which is an allusion to the separation of Jesus in the desert to fast and pray. During this time he was tempted. Matthew 4:1–11, Mark 1:12–13, and Luke 4:1–13.[17] While not specifically instituted in the Bible text, the 40-day period of repentance is also analogous to the 40 days during which Moses repented and fasted in response to the making of the Golden calf. (Jews today follow a 40-day period of repenting during the High Holy Days from Rosh Chodesh Elul to Yom Kippur.)

In Victorian England, theatres refrained from presenting costumed shows on Ash Wednesday, so they provided other entertainments.[citation needed]

Anybody know where and Ash Wednesday started?
Or how the Reformers and later the Puritans treated it?
 
If I understand the historical arguments correctly, Lent is the season on the ecclesiastical calendar, during which the College of Cardinals removes short, fine fibers that separate from the surface of cloth from the Pope's dryer in the Vatican. It takes 40 days to remove it all--since the Pope lets it build up all year in anticipation of this celebration.
 
If I understand the historical arguments correctly, Lent is the season on the ecclesiastical calendar, during which the College of Cardinals removes short, fine fibers that separate from the surface of cloth from the Pope's dryer in the Vatican. It takes 40 days to remove it all--since the Pope lets it build up all year in anticipation of this celebration.

Should be more careful of dryer fires.
 
So, I'm gonna take a lot of flak for this, but I am going to celebrate Lent. I saw on one of the previous threads that Lent seemed like work righteousness. I don't see it that way. I'm using it as a time to recommit myself to reading the Scriptures, praying, and going to church. For me it's like a New Year's Resolution. Granted. many make light of the practice by giving up sweets, or something menial and secular. It makes the practice about self-control and not about drawing closer to God. Furthermore, giving up sweets, etc. and eating them after 40 days seems silly. Just go on a diet if that's what you want. Now, the Catholic Church also corrupts the practice by binding it on the conscience of Catholics. If there are those that don't wish to practice Lent that is fine and I don't see a problem with that. At the same rate, if someone wants to fast, pray, read the BIble, etc. during the period I don't see any harm in that either. Why should these 40 days be off limits for the Biblical practice of fasting because the Catholic Church has abused the days?
 
Here are my thoughts:

As with any feast or season on the traditional church calendar, I think that Lent can be useful for a Christian, provided that one is not judging those who, for whatever reason, do not see fit to observe it. Lent is a matter or Christian freedom and personal devotional exercise and should be judged as such.

I will say, though, that I've found it helpful not to let anyone know about things I give up (or don't) for Lent because I don't want to let it become a matter of works-righteousness, which it can very easily become. If I fast during this time, it should be between myself and God.
 
Why should these 40 days be off limits for the Biblical practice of fasting because the Catholic Church has abused the days?
Exactly because it has been notoriously abused to idolatry and will worship and why in the world would we want take our agenda for personal piety let alone corporate worship, from idolaters?
 
Why should these 40 days be off limits for the Biblical practice of fasting because the Catholic Church has abused the days?
Exactly because it has been notoriously abused to idolatry and will worship and why in the world would we want take our agenda for personal piety let alone corporate worship, from idolaters?

Throughout human history I'm sure most days have been used as religious holidays to worship false gods. Personally I don't see why a Christian can't do something Biblical because another institution uses the same period in a grossly unGodly way. Should Christians not fast during Ramadan because the Muslims do? Again, if you don't want to that's fine. You have the freedom to abstain from the practice.
 
We do so because we have a scriptural rule or precedent if you will for how to treat idolatrous practices. WE PUT THEM AWAY! So they are not a further stumbling block, or lure back to idolatry and will worship.
Throughout human history I'm sure most days have been used as religious holidays to worship false gods. Personally I don't see why a Christian can't do something Biblical because another institution uses the same period in a grossly unGodly way. Should Christians not fast during Ramadan because the Muslims do? Again, if you don't want to that's fine. You have the freedom to abstain from the practice.
 
I wanted to place a short reminder that Presbyterians (and others who hold to the RPW) should not celebrate Lent.

I've never observed Lent and don't plan to, but how would doing so as a private time of devotion be a violation of the regulative principle? Doesn't that principle apply only to worship services, not to our whole-life worship?

I can see other good reasons to refrain, but your comment made me wonder what reasoning you're using.
 
Halloween is not mandated by any ecclestiacal tradition, so I see nothing wrong with subversing it and enjoying it (this is to say enjoying the candy!)

Ash Wednasday is mandated by many professing Christian traditions, so I refuse to participate as a sign of my Christian liberty in Christ. If the practice was optional accross the board, I'd probably do it, but given my Roman Catholic Context, I will not do it here.
 
If I understand the historical arguments correctly, Lent is the season on the ecclesiastical calendar, during which the College of Cardinals removes short, fine fibers that separate from the surface of cloth from the Pope's dryer in the Vatican. It takes 40 days to remove it all--since the Pope lets it build up all year in anticipation of this celebration.

Should be more careful of dryer fires.

Yes, dryers are dangerous. The Snuggle bunny once got his foot caught in a lint trap and had to gnaw it off to escape.

---------- Post added at 05:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:21 PM ----------

Papist nonsense! (I've always wanted to say that...)

That's Papostersous!
 
What's an "Annual Presbyterian"? A Presbyterian who only attends church once a year? And is it anything like a "Great Commission Baptist"?

On a related noted, we are thinking of having an annual sausage and hotdog roast on Fridays at the church during this time of the year. Fish signs are everywhere around here (including the fast food restaurants). Figure we should have an alternative. Ya'll are all invited.

Someone once asked me (in seminary no less) what I was giving up for Lent. I replied, "Romish holidays." That didn't go over too well.
 
Here is the rule I was referring to as explained and defended by George Gillespie; I commend the whole chapter from his book Dispute Against the English Popish Ceremonies but see snippets I've given in earlier threads:
http://www.puritanboard.com/f67/sign-cross-71095/#post910124
http://www.puritanboard.com/f67/what-do-monuments-past-idolatry-church-64808/

We do so because we have a scriptural rule or precedent if you will for how to treat idolatrous practices. WE PUT THEM AWAY! So they are not a further stumbling block, or lure back to idolatry and will worship.
Throughout human history I'm sure most days have been used as religious holidays to worship false gods. Personally I don't see why a Christian can't do something Biblical because another institution uses the same period in a grossly unGodly way. Should Christians not fast during Ramadan because the Muslims do? Again, if you don't want to that's fine. You have the freedom to abstain from the practice.
 
Last year was the first time I realized that some Protestants do celebrate Lent and I thought it was well, kinda weird.

Yes, but in fairness it is far different than the celebration of the Roman Catholic church.

That being said, as with many other elements of Rome, when tradition is elevated to the level of Scripture, it becomes a snare to the Christian.
 
NaphtaliPress said:
Exactly because it has been notoriously abused to idolatry and will worship and why in the world would we want take our agenda for personal piety let alone corporate worship, from idolaters?
Although, shouldn't there be a distinction made between those who celebrate Lent by fasting and those who happen to be fasting at the time of Lent? The latter could just as well fast at the time of Lent or otherwise but decided--for reasons not having to do with Lent being at that time--to fast at that time, whereas the former chose to fast because it was the time of Lent. Although, I suppose one would want to be careful anyway to make sure he or she is not misunderstood by others to be fasting for Lent. :think:
 
I think your answered your own question.
NaphtaliPress said:
Exactly because it has been notoriously abused to idolatry and will worship and why in the world would we want take our agenda for personal piety let alone corporate worship, from idolaters?
Although, shouldn't there be a distinction made between those who celebrate Lent by fasting and those who happen to be fasting at the time of Lent? The latter could just as well fast at the time of Lent or otherwise but decided--for reasons not having to do with Lent being at that time--to fast at that time, whereas the former chose to fast because it was the time of Lent. Although, I suppose one would want to be careful anyway to make sure he or she is not misunderstood by others to be fasting for Lent. :think:
 
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