LENT - by Calvin Wulf
Christian Discipleship~
The Twelve Apostles prepared for their celebration of Easter with prayer, fasting and almsgiving. That's right, the guys who Jesus called to follow him gave us the tradition of Lent. We ought to do the same; it's just part of being a follower of Jesus.
Within the first few generations of Christians, the observance of a forty-day season of repentance, prayer, fasting and charity was practiced by all Christians. We call it Lent. It wasn't enforced, but it was an matter of conscience and faith. It's an appropriate way to prepare for the celebration of Easter, the holiest festival on the Christian calendar.
How would you prepare for the holiest celebration of the year? Jesus was crucified so that the world would not die without hope, but have life that never ends. The Father raised Jesus from the dead to guarantee our hope and show that he is God. This isn't the Super Bowl, this is Easter. Are you ready for that?
TAGS: Christian Discipleship, Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Journey
Posted by Spiritual Formation House at 2/11/2010 7:00 AM 
Categories: Christian Discipleship, ALL CALVIN'S ENTRIES
Tags: Christian Discipleship Spiritual Journey Spiritual Disciplines
Categories: Christian Discipleship, ALL CALVIN'S ENTRIES
Tags: Christian Discipleship Spiritual Journey Spiritual Disciplines
Didn't Jesus and His inner circle celebrate Passover? As a Christian I celebrate Passover because it has so many pictures and symbols of Jesus in it. I'd love some resources on why I should celebrate Lent. Any historical references I could look at? Thanks!
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Hi Jason, you can access the free download I mentioned about Lent here:
http://www.livingforgod.net/downloads/lentfastingcharity.html
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I love the Passover dinner too. It helps to remember the Exodus from Egypt and is a wonderful foreshadowing of redemption on the cross. I hope to publish a free download on the history and practices of Lent in the early church soon. Stay tuned, maybe even subscribe to the blog.
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Thanks! By the way, have you ever read the book Pagan Christianity?
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Nope, I never even heard of it.
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I really appreciate you sending me that historical exploration of Lent but I think I will stick with celebrating Passover from a Christian context. I see more precedence Biblically (in the New Testament) for celebrating Passover than Lent and Easter (1 Cor. 5).
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%205&version=NASB
http://www.paganchristianity.org/
Worth considering.
-shalom!
JF
http://www.nvcc.edu/home/lshulman/Rel232/resource/RileyPaper.htm
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