Lent

[newbeliever02072005]

I was asked today if I was giving up anything for Lent. Isn't that something observed by the Catholic religion or am I wrong?

Boy do I feel stupid asking this, but....I am curious :D

:wave:

[arunma]

I was asked today if I was giving up anything for Lent. Isn't that something observed by the Catholic religion or am I wrong?

Boy do I feel stupid asking this, but....I am curious :D

:wave:

You're right, this is a Catholic practice. If I'm not mistaken, Catholics and Eastern Orthodox observe the practice somewhat differently, but the idea of sacrifice is the same. As far as I know, some Protestant churches also observe Lent, but not quite as rigidly as the Catholics (in other words, no enforced dietary requirement).

I suppose a Baptist could give up something for Lent (provided that we do it out of joy in the Lord, and not out of legalism). In fact, I strongly considered it last year.

[JPPT1974]

I don't think I know of a Baptist that practices Lent
I know I don't practice it!

[mesue]

Lent is a 40 day period before Passover to consider the work of Calvary. As a Catholic it was a time of sacrifice to self. I would give up something, of meaning and consider my walk with the Lord. A reminder was then every on Friday reviewing the Staions of the Cross. A pictoral walk through the Church (thats what the numbered art work is on the walls of the church are) meditating upon the meaning of each symbol.
A lot of Catholics, I feel, do this flippantly. They give up chocolate, Oooo, a real sacrifice there :P and couldn't tell you how many Stations of the Cross there are, or what they depict. They do because they're told, not because it has any real spiritual value to them. (again, just MHO)

[Flynmonkie]

You know, don't feel badly! In class, one of my dear sweet classmates is Catholic (we have had many discussions! A really neat gal!) She walked in on Wednesday with dirt on her forehead - so I told her! It hit me as soon as it came out of my mouth! :blush: I apologized immediately! She just laughed at me; I had forgotten Ash Wednesday and lint. I don't remember any of my family members having ash on their foreheads? I had never seen it. Yes, it is a Catholic tradition, I am not aware of any Baptist church that honors it - however I could be wrong.:confused:

I had always just been taught taking up our cross is sort of an every day thing...But some people like to honor this tradition. As I have said before – I look at it like, some people like, do well, and gain much from the military, structure and rules, others don’t. I am not one of those people that do well in structure such as that. Honestly, the biggest reason I am not catholic is that the Bible is enough to keep up with, let alone all the other extra stuff. But there are things I do not agree with – however that is with every denomination IMHO. There is always something that is not perfect, because we are not.

[ZiSunka]

You don't have to be catholic to give something up for lent. If there is something that is creating a barrier between you and God or you and your family or you and doing the will of God, it is good to give that up for a period of time.

[arunma]

Lent is a 40 day period before Passover to consider the work of Calvary. As a Catholic it was a time of sacrifice to self. I would give up something, of meaning and consider my walk with the Lord. A reminder was the on Friday reviewing the Staions of the Cross. A pictoral walk through the Church (thats what the numbered art work is on the walls of the church are) meditating upon the meaning of each symbol.
A lot of Catholics, I feel, do this flippantly. They give up chocolate, Oooo, a real sacrifice there :P and couldn't tell you how many Stations of the Cross there are, or what the depict. The do because they're told, not because it has any real spiritual value to them. (again, just MHO)

I think it's not just your opinion. Both Catholics and Protestants can sometimes do things legalistically, and not consider the true meaning of their worship (in which case it becomes useless). I've even see legalism appear in evangelical circles. It's unfortunate, since there is such a significant meaning in Holy Week and Easter.

[InnerPhyre]

Giving up something for lent is all well and good, but the more important part of Lent is increasing your time spent in prayer, studying scripture, and working on repentance.

[ZiSunka]

Giving up something for lent is all well and good, but the more important part of Lent is increasing your time spent in prayer, studying scripture, and working on repentance.

Most of us do that all year long! ;)

[InnerPhyre]

Most of us do that all year long! ;)

As do the Orthodox. But we can always do more.

[Flynmonkie]

Honestly, I compare it to some of our "Revivals". Every year the Catholic church has one... ?

[ZiSunka]

As do the Orthodox. But we can always do more.

You can't really say that for sure. Some people are probably doing all they can already. The one thing God doesn't really want is a person performing devotionals out of guilt or obligation. :)

[InnerPhyre]

You can't really say that for sure. Some people are probably doing all they can already. The one thing God doesn't really want is a person performing devotionals out of guilt or obligation. :)

Who mentioned guilt? We do this because we want to grow closer to God. If our monks who have lived in monasteries for 50 years of their lives repenting and focusing completely on Christ are able to do more each year, I think the average Chrisitian living an ordinary life can find a few more minutes a day to focus on God.

[ZiSunka]

Who mentioned guilt? We do this because we want to grow closer to God. If our monks who have lived in monasteries for 50 years of their lives repenting and focusing completely on Christ are able to do more each year, I think the average Chrisitian living an ordinary life can find a few more minutes a day to focus on God.

Those of us that are already close to God don't have to work to get closer to him, he is always here with us.

Baptists don't believe that we have to spend years repenting or focusing completely on Christ in order to know him or please him.

Most of us believe that what we do in our everyday lives is what pleases God the most. It doesn't do us any good to work really hard for 40 days, then neglect him the rest of the year. Does it? We baptists try to live our lives in devotion to Christ, whether we are doctors or toilet cleaners, if we do it for the glory of God, we needn't worry that we are not pleasing him or that we should be doing more. :)

It's the daily walk, not the special occasion that matters.

[newbeliever02072005]

Giving up something for lent is all well and good, but the more important part of Lent is increasing your time spent in prayer, studying scripture, and working on repentance.

Shouldn't we be striving to increase our time spent on the things you mention daily? This is something I do. Not saying I'm perfect at it, but it is something I think about everyday. How am I improving myself for God? Am I making myself available for His will?

[InnerPhyre]

I think that you are not understanding why we do this. It's not like we work hard and then just drop it at the end of lent. It's designed to improve our prayer lives incrementally each year. I guess the rest of us just can't be perfect like you guys. Oy. Peace.

[ZiSunka]

I think that you are not understanding why we do this. It's not like we work hard and then just drop it at the end of lent. It's designed to improve our prayer lives incrementally each year. I guess the rest of us just can't be perfect like you guys. Oy. Peace.

Tell us in a way that doesn't come off as preaching and we'll listen.

We are willing to learn about your faith, we just don't usually like it when someone of another faith steps into one of our threads to tell us why what we are doing isn't enough.

[Oblio]

O Lord and Master of my life,
Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust for power and idle talk,
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility and love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother,
For blessed art Thou, unto the ages of ages, Amen !

[InnerPhyre]

Tell us in a way that doesn't come off as preaching and we'll listen.

We are willing to learn about your faith, we just don't usually like it when someone of another faith steps into one of our threads to tell us why what we are doing isn't enough.


It seems we have a miscommunication because I didn't come here to say "oh you baptists aren't doing it right. Here's what you do blah blah blah."

The thread seemed to be about the practice of Orthodox and Catholic Christians during lent and that seemed to focus on the fact that we give things up for lent. I wasn't under the impression that Baptists did anything at all during lent, so if people were seeking to do something similar to what we do, I was only pointing out that the more important part of what we do during lent is spending more time with God.

Forgive me.

[ZiSunka]

It seems we have a miscommunication because I didn't come here to say "oh you baptists aren't doing it right. Here's what you do blah blah blah."

The thread seemed to be about the practice of Orthodox and Catholic Christians during lent and that seemed to focus on the fact that we give things up for lent. I wasn't under the impression that Baptists did anything at all during lent, so if people were seeking to do something similar to what we do, I was only pointing out that the more important part of what we do during lent is spending more time with God.

Forgive me.

Actually, the thread was about whether we Baptists are missing out on anything by not having to give up anything for lent.

[88Devin07]

It isn't only Catholics and Orthodox who recognize Lent, as Protestants, we should also recognize it. I unfortunately have decided to not practice it this year. Last year I didn't give anything up save for tyring to make myself better.

If you don't like the idea of fasting, then spend more time studying scripture and praying than you normally would.

If you question fasting, (and i'm not talking to any single person, nor any group) then read acts and other books in the Bible, I know that the early fathers of the church fasted, and in the Bible, I know there are instances of fasting. (Such as Jesus in the desert for 40 days)

lambslove, don't be offended by the Orthodox or Catholics posting in here. Catholics and Orthodox are just recognizing an important point in Christian history and choose to fast during this period. Most Protestant churches recognize lent on a Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. What they do is spread ashes on your forehead in the shape of a cross. Symbolizing that you are dust and you will return to the dust of the Earth. That might be the only time you recognize Lent from now until Easter, (plus every Sunday, or Saturday or Wednesday) but at least you are recognizing it ;)

[88Devin07]

delete, double post

[ZiSunka]

O Lord and Master of my life,
Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust for power and idle talk,
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility and love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother,
For blessed art Thou, unto the ages of ages, Amen !

:confused: How does this relate to whether or not baptists ought to practice giving up something for lent?

[newbeliever02072005]

WOW this is a hot topic....

I hope that I haven't stirred up controversy here by just trying to learn about this event. Debating definately was not my intention in all of this, but to just learn about it first from a baptist stand point and then from any others that want to join in.

[ZiSunka]

It isn't only Catholics and Orthodox who recognize Lent, as Protestants, we should also recognize it.

Since we aren't catholic or protestant, we don't really need to.


lambslove, don't be offended by the Orthodox or Catholics posting in here. Catholics and Orthodox are just recognizing an important point in Christian history and choose to fast during this period. Most Protestant churches recognize lent on a Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. What they do is spread ashes on your forehead in the shape of a cross. Symbolizing that you are dust and you will return to the dust of the Earth. That might be the only time you recognize Lent from now until Easter, (plus every Sunday, or Saturday or Wednesday) but at least you are recognizing it ;)

Offended, who's offended? I know full well what they do with fasting, ashes and lent. It isn't out of ignorance that we don't give something up or smear ashes on our foreheads. We don't do it because it doesn't have any meaning to us, so it would just be an exercise in meaninglessness to us.

[elizabethevangeline]

Tell us in a way that doesn't come off as preaching and we'll listen.

We are willing to learn about your faith, we just don't usually like it when someone of another faith steps into one of our threads to tell us why what we are doing isn't enough.

It seems you are reading a lot more into IP's comments than is really there. He only said we can always do more...and my many years experiences in (evangelical) Bible Studies confirm that most believers seeking to grow closer to God share this value (read scripture more, pray more, love others more, serve more, etc), so IP's comment is valid.

It does seem there is a misunderstanding or presumption about how Lent is used as a time of preparation for the Pascha celebration...readying ourselves to welcome the risen Lord!

Just because someone observes Lent doesn't mean they don't seek to follow Christ the rest of the year.

[InnerPhyre]

WOW this is a hot topic....

I hope that I haven't stirred up controversy here by just trying to learn about this event. Debating definately was not my intention in all of this, but to just learn about it first from a baptist stand point and then from any others that want to join in.


I did not intend to debate here either, so I apologize if that's what started in your thread. I meant only to clarify what we do for lent to illustrate that it's not just a "lets go through the motions and give up chocolate" type thing.


*IP exits stage left*

[ZiSunka]

WOW this is a hot topic....

I hope that I haven't stirred up controversy here by just trying to learn about this event. Debating definately was not my intention in all of this, but to just learn about it first from a baptist stand point and then from any others that want to join in.

No controversy. :)

It's just better to let the B/As talk about it and how it relates to our faith before other faiths jump in and tell us that we should be observing their religious rituals, too.

We don't really do that to them and I guess I'm okay with them telling us what they do, it's when they try to tell us that we should be doing it too and even get testy when we don't want to that it becomes a problem.

[eoe]

If someone were to judge someone for eating(meat. dairy, eggs, whatever) during lent they would be like a man that pours water into a cask full of holes.

Few things that you might not be aware of.

Lent is preceeded by a week long fast from all meat. This is known as cheefare week.
Lent begins this year on March 6 and lasts until Holy Week.
The fast is from Meat, Fish, Dairy, Eggs, Olive oil and Wine.
The fast continues (and gets more difficult) through Holy week and culminates on Holy Saturday when we fast completely.

All of this comes to an end at the Midnight Pascha(Easter) service.

Our Easter is one week after yours. If you would like to know why just ask.

We love you and hope that you all have a wonderful and joyous lent and Easter season.

[88Devin07]

umm lambslove... Tell us what you know about lent and we will know what to tell you so you can learn more about it.

[ZiSunka]

It seems you are reading a lot more into IP's comments than is really there. He only said we can always do more...and my many years experiences in (evangelical) Bible Studies confirm that most believers seeking to grow closer to God share this value (read scripture more, pray more, love others more, serve more, etc), so IP's comment is valid.

It does seem there is a misunderstanding or presumption about how Lent is used as a time of preparation for the Pascha celebration...readying ourselves to welcome the risen Lord!

Just because someone observes Lent doesn't mean they don't seek to follow Christ the rest of the year.

Actually, he said that if their monks give up 50 years for repenting and fasting that we should pray more and study more for lent. The two things have nothing to do with each other, and it really isn't necessary for people of one religious group to try to tell everyone else what to do.

We don't need, as baptists, to prepare ourselves to welcome the risen Lord because---He's already risen. Happened 2000 years ago. Doesn't get crucified and re-resurrected again every spring.

If you think I said people shouldn't observe lent, it only shows me you didn't read my posts, you only reacted to what you thought I was saying.:(

[ZiSunka]

umm lambslove... Tell us what you know about lent and we will know what to tell you so you can learn more about it.

Everything I need to know.

I don't know why people who are not B/A think they constantly need to educate us about their religion. :confused:

[88Devin07]

lambslove, Orthodox and Catholicism are not religions. They are denominations within the Christian faith, just as Protestantism and Anglican(ism?) are denominations in the Christian faith. They aren't seperate religions.

A seperate religion would be Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, etc...

lambslove, what is your opinion of the Catholic/Orthodox churches?

[ZiSunka]

lambslove, Orthodox and Catholicism are not religions. They are denominations within the Christian faith, just as Protestantism and Anglican(ism?) are denominations in the Christian faith. They aren't seperate religions.

A seperate religion would be Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, etc...

lambslove, what is your opinion of the Catholic/Orthodox churches?

Open a new thread.

[elizabethevangeline]

Actually, he said that if their monks give up 50 years for repenting and fasting that we should pray more and study more for lent. The two things have nothing to do with each other, and it really isn't necessary for people of one religious group to try to tell everyone else what to do.

I think IP was trying to explain the Orthodox mindset, not tell you what Baptists should do.




If you think I said people shouldn't observe lent, it only shows me you didn't read my posts, you only reacted to what you thought I was saying.:(
I didn't think you said people shouldn't observe Lent, I said it seems that you think people who observe Lent don't seek God the rest of the year.

[ZiSunka]

I think IP was trying to explain the Orthodox mindset, not tell you what Baptists should do.




I didn't think you said people shouldn't observe Lent, I said it seems that you think people who observe Lent don't seek God the rest of the year.

You really really didn't read what I wrote.:sigh:

[Oblio]

:confused: How does this relate to whether or not baptists ought to practice giving up something for lent?

To answer your question:

Because Lent is not about giving up something . It is about the prayer I posted. Do you agree with the prayer, or not?

[88Devin07]

lambslove, please don't dodge my questions. I'm not doing it to confront you or corner you. I'm asking these questions to get a bearing on your views.

Lent is not only for Catholics, Anglicans and Orthodox, it's also for Protestants. As far as I know, most Protestants don't practice ANY type of fasting.

BTW, i'm technically a Protestant even though my views lean to Eastern Orthodoxy.

Remember, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert. We have plenty of evidence of other fasting post crucifixion in early Christianity.

[ZiSunka]

lambslove, please don't dodge my questions. I'm not doing it to confront you or corner you. I'm asking these questions to get a bearing on your views.

Lent is not only for Catholics, Anglicans and Orthodox, it's also for Protestants. As far as I know, most Protestants don't practice ANY type of fasting.

BTW, i'm technically a Protestant even though my views lean to Eastern Orthodoxy.

Remember, Jesus fasted for 40 days in the desert. We have plenty of evidence of other fasting post crucifixion in early Christianity.

This thread is about lent, not about catholicism, orthodox beliefs or anything else. To discuss these other things in this thread is to hijack the thread. If you want to discuss anything but lent, open a new thread.

[Oblio]

We don't need, as baptists, to prepare ourselves to welcome the risen Lord because---He's already risen.


And we would agree with you. Our worship is outside of time, so we speak of Holy events that occur (or will occur) as we bring them to Rememberance, even though temporally they have already happened.

[ZiSunka]

And we would agree with you. Our worship is outside of time, so we speak of Holy events that occur (or will occur) as we bring them to Rememberance, even though temporally they have already happened.

That's nice. That has nothing to do with B/A, but it's so nice for you to hijack this thread to insist on telling us what you believe.

[88Devin07]

lambslove, i'm not hijacking the thread, and you don't have the right to say I am.

quit ignoring me and read my posts... Like I said, i'm asking you these questions so I and others know how to tell you about lent. You are (apparently) shutting us out.

[ZiSunka]

lambslove, i'm not hijacking the thread, and you don't have the right to say I am.

quit ignoring me and read my posts... Like I said, i'm asking you these questions so I and others know how to tell you about lent. You are (apparently) shutting us out.

open a new thread to discuss the other topic.

I don't need any information about lent. We aren't discussing what you believe about lent, we are discussing what B/As believe about lent. We didn't ask you for any information about lent. This thread has nothing to do with your beliefs about lent.

[Oblio]

Open a new thread.


Ask, and ye shall receive (http://www.christianforums.com/t2701501-are-orthodox-catholics-born-again-.html#post22398510)

[ZiSunka]

No one here suggested you aren't born again. :(

[88Devin07]

I'm sorry for ever posting here. Thank you for shutting me out and telling me my opinion doesn't matter.

I'm gone... :(

[Oblio]

No one here suggested you aren't born again. :(


I revised the OP. :sorry:

[InnerPhyre]

Guys, this got out of hand. I obviously shouldn't have mentioned anything. Now let the baptists go back to their discussion and if you aren't baptist, go your own way.

[Oblio]

Guys, this got out of hand. I obviously shouldn't have mentioned anything. Now let the baptists go back to their discussion and if you aren't baptist, go your own way.

Ack !

[Tenorvoice]

CLOSED For staff review!