Five Reasons Not to Observe Lent - Disntr

Found here. Our comments in bold.

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The nameless author should have titled this, "Five Abiblical Reasons Not to Observe Lent."

We do not intend to defend Lent, we want to look at the author's "teaching." Happily, he does quote some Scripture, but too often mishandles it. Plus, he seems to like making statements as if they're self-evidently true.

It appears that he has some sort of pre-conception in mind regarding Lent, as if the rituals and habits associated with it disqualify the practice itself. Or, maybe the problem is with certain denominations. Or maybe it's just with unsaved people going through the motions. Hard to tell.

In any case, the actions and attitudes of people practicing Lent are a matter apart from what Lent actually is.)

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Every year in February or March, Ash Wednesday kicks off the first day of Lent — a largely Roman Catholic tradition that is essentially a six-week season of grieving and remorse over your sin. It is, however, also observed by Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, and Methodists officially, and in recent years, many mainline Protestants and Evangelicals have jumped on the bandwagon.

Typically, it involves some modernized notion of fasting — basically, giving something (traditionally, meat) up for a few weeks. But, over the course of modern history, it has morphed into a free-for-all kind of abstaining from anything you choose.

1.) Fasting is not a corporate activity and, in fact, Scripture warns against the corporate practice of fasting and prayer. It is to be done privately.

And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. —Matthew 6:16-18 (First claim, false. There is nothing about forbidding corporate fasting in this Scripture. 

In these verses Jesus was addressing those who would put on a show with their fasting. Jesus contradicted this by telling the disciples to wash their faces, because God sees in the secret places of a person. 

In fact, corporate fasting was a common practice in Israel:

Ju. 20:26 Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD.

1Sa. 7:5-6 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” 6 When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel was leader [Traditionally judge] of Israel at Mizpah.

God even commanded it:

Joe. 2:12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

And the disciples practiced corporate fasting:

Ac. 13:2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

The author does not tell us the truth.)

Lent, as practiced by mainstream Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, is a corporate, church-wide call to fasting — something the Scripture never commands us to do. (This is quite incorrect, as we have seen.)

Fasting, for the believer, is a spiritual discipline practiced for the purpose of drawing personally closer in union with God. (We would tend to agree, but this is an undocumented claim. If the author is intending to teach, he can't simply make assertions. 

Where in the Bible does it tell us that fasting is for drawing personally closer, in contradistinction to corporate fasting? Well, it doesn't. That's probably why the author didn't reference his claim with a Bible verse.

Further, among other things, fasting is also used to obtain direction from God [Ac. 13:2], to repent [1Sa. 7:6], to mourn [1Sa. 7:6], when faced with peril [Ju. 20:26], and to petition God for Him to act [2Sa. 12:16].)

2.) Fasting will not gain you favor with God. Many who observe Lent believe that by doing so, they will gain favor with God. It has become, to them, an act of penance — an attempt to atone for their own sins. This is especially true in the Catholic Church, but the tradition has crept into Evangelical circles as well. Believing that the act of fasting will in any way turn away God’s wrath is actually a curse, as it says in Galatians 5:4, “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” (Ho-boy. The author seems to like making unreferenced assertions. And when he finally cites a Scripture, it has little to do with his claim. 

But more to the point, there are several elements the author mashes together into a giant non-sequitur. First, we note that penance is a specific doctrinal term used by Catholics and some protestants to describe certain activities and attitudes. The word carries baggage, unfortunately, but some of the underlying concepts of penance, like repentance and sorrow for sins, are certainly biblical, and applicable to fasting.

Second, penance and atoning for sins are different ideas. Turning away God's wrath is what atonement is. We could find no information anywhere that penance is connected to atonement.

Third, we could find no information where fasting is connected to atonement. 

The author seems to be suggesting that Lent's penance is connected to salvation. We could not find that connection in our research, either.)

There is but one way to gain favor with God, and that is to be covered by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. You must turn from your unrighteous works, and turn to Christ alone, for what he has accomplished is sufficient. (Salvation is a matter apart from fasting. Fasting is a spiritual discipline of the already saved person. A Christian fasts for various reasons, including requesting that God do certain things:

2Ch. 20:3-4 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

Ezr. 8:23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Joe. 2:14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing — grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God. 

We don't know of anyone who believes that fasting has anything to do with gaining God's favor in salvation. However, a Christian who fasts can indeed use the occasion to implore God to move in certain ways.)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. —John 8:36

3.) The modern practice of giving something up is unbiblical. Fasting, in the Bible, is the practice of giving up nourishing food — something that your body relies on for life. (What about fasting from sex? 

1Co. 7:5 Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer.

What about fasting from certain foods? 

Ro. 14:6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Clearly fasting is not just about not eating any food.)

The practice of giving up something necessary and life-sustaining would cause one to focus on God and rely on Him solely to sustain them. Today, Lent is practiced in such a fashion that, for the most part, people only give up luxuries and unnecessary things in their life. While it is commendable to purge excess weight from your spiritual walk, giving up television, dessert, or video games for six weeks is not what Jesus had in mind when he taught his disciples to fast. (So, what did Jesus have in mind? What did He teach regarding fasting? Why not tell us, Mr. Nameless Author? The author quoted Matthew 6:16-18 above, which is really the only instruction we have from Jesus about fasting, apart from one other instruction regarding the casting out of demons [Mt. 17:21].)

4.) Lent is a tradition of men. While it is not necessarily sinful to observe a special day that is not prescribed in Scripture (The author cedes his argument.)

— to do so compulsively, or, as stated above, to gain favor with God is idolatry. While not all who practice Lent are doing it necessarily by compulsion, the very act of a church-wide season of Lent places pressure on some to do something they would not have otherwise done. (?? "Putting pressure?" There are many "church wide" things done at the behest of pastors and churches, including calls to holiness, salvation, and repentance. 

And what is passing the baskets for the offering if it is not putting pressure on people? And asking people to serve in children's church? Signing up people to clean the church? Coming to prayer meetings? 

And of course, there's the possibility of people practicing Lent willingly, which means there would be no compulsion, correct?

The author's thinking seems muddled.)

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. —Colossians 2:8

5.) Spiritual disciplines should not be limited to one season. While prayer and fasting, and purging excess idols or distractions in your life are good, limiting these practices to a six-week time frame then becomes a work of self-righteousness rather than a heart that desires obedience to God. (No it doesn't. First, no one is "limiting" prayer and fasting, as if it's ok to go hard and wild at other times. There is absolutely nothing self-righteous about setting aside a specific time to do business with God.

Second, Jesus did this all the time. He could have stayed around and healed people 24-7, but instead He set aside specific times to go away to pray. 

Third, God Himself ordained the festivals celebrated by the Jews. Also, churches have a specific time for their Sunday services. 

Fourth, many Christians set aside a time of devotional early every morning. 

There is no harm whatsoever in scheduling these kinds of practices.)

While there may be different times and seasons in your life when the Holy Spirit nudges you to fast and pray — perhaps due to certain circumstances in your life — doing so solely based on the rotation of a calendar year is a bad practice. (Like Christmas eve or Easter services? Reformation day?)

We are called to continue steadfastly in prayer and thanksgiving — always (Colossians 4:2) and to devote our entire lives to God at all times, not just during Lent. (No Christian would disagree.)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. —Galatians 2:20