I was watching FOX News late Wednesday night, and noticed a mark on Laura Ingraham’s forehead. At first glance I thought she had a bruise, but quickly realized she was sporting an ash cross. Ash Wednesday is really not on my radar, and you don’t typically see people walking around with ash on their foreheads, so it was the first indication I had that the Lenten season has started.
I took to the internet to jog my memory about this observance. Some who are unaware might think my ignorance of the observance to be peculiar. Since I am a professed Christian, and gospel preacher, some might think it obvious that Lent would be an important “season” for me to observe. Consider the following quote from an article written by an Episcopal priest named Scott Gunn, “This Wednesday, Christians around the world will begin their observance of the season of Lent.”
However, the reality is that Lent is not Christian! In saying this, it is not my purpose to be a contrarian. My point is important, and I ask that you follow my reasoning.
Jesus Christ is the Christian’s master. We refer to Him as our Lord. Jesus affirmed this truth to His disciples in the first century, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). It stands to reason that if Lent was “Christian”, you would have Jesus Christ authorizing it! Not only is there no indication that Jesus established Lent, the disciples who revealed the entirety of Christ’s will for man in the pages of the New Testament were absolutely silent on the matter. The New Testament is inspired by the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:16), if Lent is not found within its pages, it is not Christian.
In fact, the first systemic observation of the Lenten season was discussed as a part of the Nicean council in 325 AD, three centuries after the establishment of the church. It is an invention of men, rather than God. Tradition is not authority for religious practices! Jesus made this clear in his denunciation of the Pharisees, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). The fact that men do not recognize the sinfulness of willful worship is perhaps the greatest scourge of modern times.
Consider the following objections to the observance of Lent.
- The observance of Lent is intended to make one more spiritually focused either through fasting, or abstaining from, “giving up”, an enjoyable habit or practice. Setting aside the clear admonitions to always be spiritually minded, Paul revealed that such practices give little benefit. “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:23). The proof is in the pudding. In some cultures Mardi Gras (a period of celebration immediately preceding Ash Wednesday) is characterized by debauchery. “Let’s party, because tomorrow we start our fast!” The absurdity is obvious.
- The original observation was intended as a means of preparation for those who would be baptized. In other words, baptism was delayed until after the observance of Lent. This not only departs from the typical penitent believer in New Testament times, who was baptized “the same hour of the night” (cf. Acts 16:33); it also indicates that the practitioner does not accept that baptism “now saves us” (cf. 1 Peter 3:21). Can you imagine the conversation between Philip and the Eunuch?
EUNUCH: “What hinders me from being baptized?”
PHILIP: “You must wait until February, and observe the 40 days of Lent.”
Please remember how inappropriate it is to freelance with regard to our devotion to God. Saul did, and was told “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:21). Let us not reject “the word of the Lord” (vs. 23) by presenting willful worship to God. Rather, let us submit humbly to the observances Jesus has required of us, clearly revealed in His testament.
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