Should Christians Observe Lent?

 

Introduction.  Some time ago my wife and I were at a restaurant when a nice dressed couple came in and I noticed that they both had on their forehead the sign of a cross.  They were observing the ritual known in the religious world as “Ash Wednesday.”

A.  Ash Wednesday is a day observed by the Roman Catholic Church which begins a forty-day period of fasting and sacrifice leading up to Easter. 

1.  On this first day palm leaves from the celebration of “Palm Sunday” the previous year are burned, sprinkled with water and then applied to the forehead. 

2.  The priest dressed in purple, recites, as he draws a cross from the ashes on the forehead of the celebrants - “Remember O man, dust you are and to dust you shall return.” 

B.  Over the next several weeks, a faithful Catholic is expected to either sacrifice something dear to them or do do good deeds which they normally do not do.

1.  At various times the observant may be expected to go without meat, or milk products as well as to refrain from festive activities in keeping with the somber mood of the season.

 

            This evening we are going to consider for a few minutes the practice of Lent and consider from the Bible whether Christians should observe this fast or not.

 

I.  Origins of Lent.

 

A.  The name “Lent” comes  from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten meaning “spring.”

B.  Earliest references to some type of fast go back to the 2nd Century - Only a short fast.

1.  Eusebius claims that a controversy developed over the date.  churches in Asia Minor observed the OT date (14th of Nisan) for the Passover, and began a fast on this day (regardless of what day of the week it was).  Churches in the West set a time so that the fast always ended on Sunday - to remember the Lord’s resurrection on that day.  In writing to settle the disbute Iranaeus, the bishop of Gaul wrote -

“The controversy is not only about the day, but also about the character of the fast; for some think that they ought to fast one day, others two, others even more, some count their day as forty hours day and night” (Ecclesiastical History, 5.24).

2.  Tertullian speaks of fasting on the “Paschal-Day” (i.e. Passover) leading up to the day of resurrection (On Fasting, 13).   He claims (as did Eusebius that the Apostles taught this (On Fasting 2). He further, claims that the churches under Rome added additional “half-fasts” in memory of the Stations of the cross which they claimed were “done of choice, and not of command”  (On Fasting, 13).

C.  In the Canons from the Council of Nicea (AD. 325) reference is made to Lent  (Gr. tessarokoste = 40).  Gradually 40 hours became 40 days in memory of Jesus (Matthew 4:2), Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah’s (I Kings 19:8) fasting.

1.  Eastern churches - 7 weeks (except Sat. & Sun.) - 36 days.

2.  Western churches - 6 weeks (except Sun.) - 36 days.

3.  Jerusalem (4th century) 8 weeks (except Sat. &  Sun.) - 40 days.

4.  Catholic church first 40 days in 7th century adding Ash Wednesday at that time.

 

II.  Various Observances.

 

A.  Early - total abstinence from food until evening - one meal a day (Sundays excepted).  Fish, meat and milk products forbidden.

B.  Others abstinence from meat & wine.

C.  From 9th century restrictions relaxed.  Eat at 3:00 PM by 15th century eat by 12:00 noon.

D.  1966 Apostolic Constitution Paenitemini obligation to fast only on the first day (Ash Wednesday) of the fast and Good Friday.   Also observed by the Church of England 

 

III.  Does the Bible Teach the Practice of Lent? 

 

A.  There is no command, example or inference in Scritpure that institutes such a practice.  There are many things that early writers claimed were sactioned by the Apostles but if we can’t find it in the Bible there is no assurance that it is true.

B.  Attempted Scriptural Justification (Mark 2:18-20).  Tertullian (who believed that the OT fasts should also be observed) cites the phrase “When the bridegroom is taken away” in reference to that period from Jesus’ death until his resurrection (On Fasting, 13).

 

IV.  Does Lent Conflict With Anything Taught in Scripture?

 

A.  There are no “Christian Holy Days” (Galatians 4:8-10).

1.  There were fasts under the OT (Leviticus 23:26-32).

2.  These are taken out of the way in Christ (Colossians 2:16,17).

3.  The “Lord’s Day” is the only special day - but there are no prescribed fasts (Revelation 1:10; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:1,2).

B.  Fasting is not to be seen by men (Matthew 6:16-18).

C.  We are not to follow the traditions of men (Matthew 15:1-9).  Note:  Traditions that are not based upon the authority of Scripture lead to controversy and further division.

D.  We are not to follow “vain repititions”  (Matthew 6:7). 

E.  Human Innovations in worship are not acceptable.

1.  Cain (Hebrews 11:4).

2.  Nadab &  Abihu (Leviticus 10:1,2).

3.  Saul (I Samuel 15:17-24).

F.  It is false doctrine to teach abstinence from foods (I Timothy 4:1-4).

G.  The New Testament must be our pattern (Philippians 4:9).