Anyone here observe Lent, etc?

[Adonia]

Many people don't understand that Lent isn't necessarily giving something up but adding something.

Very well said!

 

[Adonia]

The time leading up to the Passover supper is important because it was the hardest part of his ministry before the Crucifixion. Can't we take time to remember it? How many times did he go hungry? How many miles did he walk?

The Jewish people also had their long respected religious holidays, observances, festivals, and rituals and I bet Jesus participated in many of them while He was on this earth. Now we have some Christians saying that we cannot have the same sort of things except with Jesus as the focus just because each and every action is not spelled out specifically in the New Testament.

 

[Adonia]

It was the Dark Age where and when perhaps million were slaughtered for not bowing the knee to the pope and spiritually speaking it still is (at least in Europe) minus the torture and bloodshed.

The slaughter of believers was not done by just one side.

Yes people get saved in Catholicism IN SPITE OF THEIR CHURCH and yes I was such a one even before Vatican II caught on.

As you now do (even though you reject orthodox Christianity).

 

[Adonia]

The Catholic church isnt as bad as Protestants want to believe. The problem is Protestants go in with a full cup, full of themselves and thier so called correct view of doctrine.

Thankfully they are not the ones deciding all things religious for all of Christianity. No one died and made them the experts on what is or what is not scriptural truth.

 

[robycop3]

So I see, your contention is we may not deviate one iota from what is written and if we do it is false? Tell me brother, is there just one correct way to pray? Do we have to be on our knees? Should we prostrate ourselves on the floor? Can we pray while running or walking? Does the prayer have to be long or short? Do we have to be in church? Is there one particular form we must follow? Please tell me in the Scriptures where it says we must use the words "In Jesus's name" as many do after uttering a prayer?

We are told to go to church on the first day of the week (Sunday), so where is the command to go on a Wednesday? Are you saying doing that is a false action? How about your communion service, do you adhere to the letter of the law about that?

The Jews wandered for 40 years in the desert and that is a biblical truth. Jesus went to the desert to pray and fast and that is also a biblical truth. If Christians of today seek to emulate those two truths by having a 40 day period of reflection, fasting, and prayer prior to the time we acknowledge His death and Resuurection and to praise Him by those actions, there is absolutely nothing wrong or un-biblical about that either.

You claim is ridiculous.

No, God warns us twice to not subtract from, or ADD TO His commands & precepts.

A close study of Scripture reveals we are free to worship on any day of the week. The "Lord's prayer" is the base outline for all prayers.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Methodist, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Orthodox, Reformed and many others observe the season of Lent

Yes Protestants... and at the end of it are rewarded with cholocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks.

 

[Ran the Man]

Thankfully they are not the ones deciding all things religious for all of Christianity. No one died and made them the experts on what is or what is not scriptural truth.

Niether are protestants.

 

[Ran the Man]

Well - no - we don't want to offend the largest "Christian" body on earth with the truth.
It was the Dark Age where and when perhaps million were slaughtered for not bowing the knee to the pope and spiritually speaking it still is (at least in Europe) minus the torture and bloodshed.

So what if the Italian/German renaissance caused the first glimmer of light in Europe. It was the dawning of enlightenment in the darkest hour in Europe. Rome kept the tiny candle of literacy going but spiritually speaking there was also a spiritual famine in that darkness.

Yes people get saved in Catholicism IN SPITE OF THEIR CHURCH and yes I was such a one even before Vatican II caught on.

And I will admit that here in America the hierarchy is trying to shed the old grave clothes.

I'm really sick of this smug attitude you guys have for the Roman and eastern church. The very bible you have today was compiled by the 7 church fathers one of which was from rome. Why believe the bible then?
Martin Luther was a drunk and a philanderer. Calvin was a sociopath. The Protestant Hugonauts murdered a lot of people.

 

[JonC]

Some more thoughts on Lent from a Reformed point of view...

Lent is not observed in Reformed churches for a few reasons. First, the Reformers considered it a popish invention, inexorably tied to Roman holy week observances. Second, it goes against the Reformed view of holy days. In most Reformed churches the only holy day that is to be observed is the Lord's day. There is no positive command in the New Testament to observe any day or season as holy. That designation is reserved for the Lord's day. Third, personal holiness and piety is something each Christian should strive for on a daily basis, not just at a certain time of year.

Is the first two points also the reason many also oppose the observance of Christmas?

 

[Danthemailman]

I do not observe Lent, but I take advantage of the 2 for 1 fish sandwich deals at Arby's during Lent.

 

[Ran the Man]

I do not observe Lent, but I take advantage of the 2 for 1 fish sandwich deals at Arby's during Lent.

Dude, Arby's is my favorite.

 

[Reformed]

Is the first two points also the reason many also oppose the observance of Christmas?

...and Easter or any other holy day that does not have a warrant in scripture. This applies only to church observance of these days. There are many Reformed people who choose to observe these days privately, although separate of corporate worship on the Lord's day.

 

[JonC]

...and Easter or any other holy day that does not have a warrant in scripture. This applies only to church observance of these days. There are many Reformed people who choose to observe these days privately, although separate of corporate worship on the Lord's day.

Thank you - that is interesting. I did not realize they did not recognize "Easter".

Do they worship as a congregation on Sunday only or have Wednesday services?

 

[Reformed]

Thank you - that is interesting. I did not realize they did not recognize "Easter".

Do they worship as a congregation on Sunday only or have Wednesday services?

You are asking a question that I have to answer in the aggregate. Most Reformed churches that observe a strict interpretation of the RPW* (Regulative Principle of Worship) do not observe religious holidays at all. The operative word here is "observe". They recognize that these holidays exist, but they do not see any warrant in scripture to incorporate them into the Lord's day worship. These churches would also eschew special services to observe these days.

*The RPW teaches that we are to worship God only in the manner prescribed by scripture. This is different from the Normative Principle which teaches we may worship God in any manner not prohibited by scripture.

 

[Adonia]

No, God warns us twice to not subtract from, or ADD TO His commands & precepts.

A close study of Scripture reveals we are free to worship on any day of the week. The "Lord's prayer" is the base outline for all prayers.

Tell me again about your communion service where YOU violate the Scriptures by using grape juice and crackers as the elements.

Do you even say the Lords prayer as it is written? Jesus gives it to us verbatim and He meant for us to recite as it is. He gave it to us WORD FOR WORD, and there is nothing in the Scriptures that says it is just some sort of "template".

If you can get two clear biblical mandates wrong, your other scriptural interpretations should be questioned thoroughly.

 

[Reformed1689]

If someone observes Lent, he is not Reformed, by definition.

And how exactly do you define Reformed?

To be Reformed should mean to have one's belief and practices constantly reformed by Scripture. Since Lent is not to be found in Scripture, if someone observes it, he is not Reformed.

Driving a car is not found in Scripture, do you drive a car? Wearing a tie to church is not found in Scripture, do you wear a tie to church? You really need to look at what it means to be reformed again.

Lent is not observed in Reformed churches for a few reasons.

We have already seen that R.C. Sproul's church observes Lent to some degree so obviously there is something wrong with your line of reasoning here.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

And how exactly do you define Reformed?

To be 'Reformed' means to be constantly seeking to be reformed by Scripture in church and personal life.
I recommend What is a Reformed Church by Malcolm Watts (Reformation Heritage Books, 2011). In leading his church (Emmanuel Church, Salisbury UK) Watts has gone rather too far IMO, but his book is good.

Driving a car is not found in Scripture, do you drive a car? Wearing a tie to church is not found in Scripture, do you wear a tie to church? You really need to look at what it means to be reformed again.

We have already seen that R.C. Sproul's church observes Lent to some degree so obviously there is something wrong with your line of reasoning here.

Sproul's church much answer for itself. I answer to Galatians 4:9-11; Colossians 2:16-23.

 

[Ran the Man]

You are asking a question that I have to answer in the aggregate. Most Reformed churches that observe a strict interpretation of the RPW* (Regulative Principle of Worship) do not observe religious holidays at all. The operative word here is "observe". They recognize that these holidays exist, but they do not see any warrant in scripture to incorporate them into the Lord's day worship. These churches would also eschew special services to observe these days.

*The RPW teaches that we are to worship God only in the manner prescribed by scripture. This is different from the Normative Principle which teaches we may worship God in any manner not prohibited by scripture.

Sancta Maria! Are you guys nuts? Don't be a Jehovah's Witness. Christmas and Pashta (Easter) are the two most important events in the history of the world and you don't celebrate them?
Trust me, you will regret all those Christmas one day. Babies need Christmas. How cold and sterilized of any life Calvinists are.

 

[HankD]

The slaughter of believers was not done by just one side.

Will you document that,

As you now do (even though you reject orthodox Christianity).

Please define "orthodox" Christianity and document my rejection of it.

 

[robycop3]

I'm really sick of this smug attitude you guys have for the Roman and eastern church. The very bible you have today was compiled by the 7 church fathers one of which was from rome. Why believe the bible then?
Martin Luther was a drunk and a philanderer. Calvin was a sociopath. The Protestant Hugonauts murdered a lot of people.

...as if the old RC gang was squeaky-clean!

And let's not forget their current "Boyzz R Us" scandal !