Many in our religious community have just concluded a period of fasting
and denial called Lent. Should we have joined them in this? Is it time
for a self-indulgent society to embrace this as at least one thing we
can do to show our devotion to God? Does it matter where this idea comes
from, and what it requires?
Lent is a forty day period between “Ash Wednesday” (not a biblical day)
and Easter (not a biblical day). It was introduced by Telsephorus, a
bishop of Rome, in the second century. It was not widely accepted before
the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. It was originally a forty hour period
of total fasting, but has changed over time. Those who practice it
usually select something to “give up” for the time period.
A father chided his son for eating candy, when he had supposedly given
up candy for Lent. “But Daddy,” the boy said, “you said you were giving
up liquor for Lent, but I saw you drinking wine last night.” “Oh,” he
said, “I just gave up hard liquor.” “Oh,” said the boy, “then I’ll give
up hard candy!”
What’s wrong with giving up something as a religious exercise? Because
we need a “thus saith the Lord” for whatever we do. Some time ago, one
of our brethren ran an article in the newspaper with the title, “What
the Bible says about Lent.” Underneath, it was completely blank!
Paul warned that one of the marks of apostasy would be to command “to
abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with
thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth” (1 Timothy 4:3).
Jesus condemned the law making and forced traditions of the Pharisees:
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me
with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do
worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew
15:8-9). The keeping of Lent is exactly the same thing―man’s law making
of vain worship.
As God’s
called out people, we have no business keeping Lent, joining in a
community Lenten service, or encouraging others to participate in this
practice that violates God’s word. Just consider the licentiousness of
“Mardi Gras,” which precedes Lent. Obviously God had no part in this
religious practice.
