Question
32: Why don’t you observe lent?
Answer: According to the dictionary, Lent is the 40
weekdays from Ash Wednesday until Easter observed by Christians as a season of
fasting and penitence. The concept of
Lent is one that I believe has a strong Biblical basis. However, to “mandate” its participation will
most often lead to mindless and meaningless ritual. The Bible clearly teaches us that we should
practice fasting but often the “fasting” that occurs during the time of Lent
has become almost laughable (e.g. “I will give up chocolate” or I’ve even heard
“I will give up swearing”). Certainly
those examples cannot be what the Lord meant when he commanded people to put on
sackcloth and ash and to pray and fast.
Lent, when followed from the heart, can really be a good time of growth
for the Christian as we put in perspective the tremendous sacrifice that Jesus
Christ made for us on the cross of