Lent

[Fiosh]

I am not aware of any priest who says, Hmmm that Methodist is not observing lent and therefore has committed mortal sin.

The real question is what would that priest say to one of his own parishoners who chose to not observe Lent, and to fast at another time?

I find it funny, Erich, how you want to keep this on the topic of lent and not the Roman Catholic Church, yet you keep bringing up the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

But AGAIN, I will repeat this.

What the Apostles hold binding on Christianity, we should all do, yes?

The Pope and the Bishops are the successors to the apostles, according to Catholic Tradition.

When the Pope and the Bishops hold BOUND that we should fast and abstain on Fridays during lent, and someone deliberately goes against that binding, that person therefore separates him or herself from that which he or she should be holding bound.

This goes against the Apostles. Being that it goes against the apostles, it goes against God. Why? Because Christ said so to the Apostles. Therefore, it is a grave sin to go against the COMMUNITY of the church and still claim to be Catholic.

So yes, it is a mortal sin if you are a Catholic and you deliberately go against that which is held bound on earth and in heaven by the PRECEPTS of the Church.

Lent is part of those precepts. Therefore, if you don't like observing the lent, and feel ousted because that puts sin on your soul, leave the church to feel better about yourself.

Precepts?

What does one do when one wakes up the the fact that they are adhering to precepts held by a cult? As the whole group is in error, the only thing one can do is get out.

Precepts held bound by the Apostles. You can go on being non-apostolic, however. That's fine.

None of the apostles Jesus commissioned ever spoke anything of this tradition of men. When men's traditions are held to such a rigid compliance requirement, we have to wonder about the group...just what spirit is directing it?

They fasted. The Apostles also fasted every Friday after Jesus' death. You call the RCC's rigid for wanting to do it 7 days out of the year? Wow.

Of course they fasted. So do we. Where does it say they fasted every Friday in the Word of God? I really would like to know.

I am waiting...

Where does it say they went to worship service every Sunday morning at 10:00am, sang 4 hymns, listened to a sermon, and followed up with cookies and coffee. Then returned on Wed. evening for Bible study?

btw, fa..........are you striving yet???

I musta missed your response to the Scripture references I cited. Have you decided to change your ways to live more in line with Scripture yet?

[Fiosh]

if a person is a member of the Catholic Church and has difficulty with its obligations

So glad God doesn't place obligations like that on us. Any church that would is harbouring a religious spirit, and anyone who comes out from under its bondage to be free in Christ is--------free indeed!!

You say "religious spirit" like its vulgar. Religion is Biblical and good in God's eyes:

Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

If having a "religious spirit" means striving to act in a manner pleasing to God, I hope I have one.

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Obedience to the Church is not bondage...it's Biblical.

Matthew 15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.

.......

17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

18 Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven

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1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

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We are called to obedience not rebellion. Freedom is found in slavery to Jesus Christ and obedience to His Church. True strength is found in meekness.

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto

your souls.

Peace,

Fiosh

[Fiosh]

Where does it say they fasted every Friday in the Word of God? I really would like to know.

I am still waiting...

Floating Axe, not all of history is contained in scripture. Just because it is not contained in scripture does not make it false.

Yes it does. If it doesn't stand up to the Word of God, toss it aside.

Wow! That's quite an assertion! Not to mention it's anti-Biblical. You wanna re-think that?

John 21: 25 There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

[Kansasdad]

Where does it say they fasted every Friday in the Word of God? I really would like to know.

I am still waiting...

Floating Axe, not all of history is contained in scripture. Just because it is not contained in scripture does not make it false.

Yes it does. If it doesn't stand up to the Word of God, toss it aside.

Wow! That's quite an assertion! Not to mention it's anti-Biblical. You wanna re-think that?

John 21: 25 There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

Floating Axe, there are many many historical facts that are not contained in the Bible. The entire history of the United States is not contained in the Bible, yet it is very true. You can learn much from knowing history accurately. We know that The word of God shows us many examples of fasting, and we know by history that the Apostles fasted on every friday. So how then does this not stand up to the word of God? Your assertion does not make sense.

[GardenDove]

Hello, I'm new here and am trying to figue out this site. Lent is a Church tradition based on the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert. It gives his followers a chance to also practise self sacrifice on some level. I think Friday was traditionally chosen as an extra important day for some self sacrifice because Jesus was crucified on Friday. So the older, Litugical churches have traditionally used Friday as a penitential day for believers to sacrifice, in respect and gratitude for Christ's suffering on the cross for our sins.

The Jews also had traditional periods of fasting and sacrifice, including Passover, and Rosh Hashonah, I believe. I think before the destruction of the Temple it was more complicated, I'm not an expert.

[Floatingaxe]

Where does it say they fasted every Friday in the Word of God? I really would like to know.

I am still waiting...

Floating Axe, not all of history is contained in scripture. Just because it is not contained in scripture does not make it false.

Yes it does. If it doesn't stand up to the Word of God, toss it aside.

Wow! That's quite an assertion! Not to mention it's anti-Biblical. You wanna re-think that?

John 21: 25 There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

Floating Axe, there are many many historical facts that are not contained in the Bible. The entire history of the United States is not contained in the Bible, yet it is very true. You can learn much from knowing history accurately. We know that The word of God shows us many examples of fasting, and we know by history that the Apostles fasted on every friday. So how then does this not stand up to the word of God? Your assertion does not make sense.

Again, if it doesn't line up against the Word of God, we can certainly feel free to toss it. It is the religiosity that is inherent in the strict practice of Lent that the Word DOES talk about. Fasting on a regular basis is a good thing...but to name it a season of Lent is non-biblical and shouldn't bear weight in a Christian's walk with God.

[GardenDove]

Some people get alot of benefit out of Lent. The Jews also had this type of structure, I think our Jewish forebears had a very structured faith in many ways. I personally find Lent a very useful time to renew and recharge my spiritual batteries. This year I am on a general health regieme, and our family is giving up meat for the whole of Lent because this was my 12 year old daughter's resolution.

I think Christians from non-Liturgical churches are missing out on some of the beauty of the Liturgical calendar, which is in sync with the seasons and flow of life which God created. The fact that we live in a modern society that is often out of touch with the natural world perhaps excarbates this situation.

[Floatingaxe]

Some people get alot of benefit out of Lent. The Jews also had this type of structure, I think our Jewish forebears had a very structured faith in many ways. I personally find Lent a very useful time to renew and recharge my spiritual batteries. This year I am on a general health regieme, and our family is giving up meat for the whole of Lent because this was my 12 year old daughter's resolution.

I think Christians from non-Liturgical churches are missing out on some of the beauty of the Liturgical calendar, which is in sync with the seasons and flow of life which God created. The fact that we live in a modern society that is often out of touch with the natural world perhaps excarbates this situation.

People in Spirit-filled churches do fast. We fast regularly, but we don't do it in a prescribed manner. It has nothing to do with Lent and everything to do with consecration, and devoting oneself to prayer, and communing deeply with God, not to mention warring spiritually and petitioning Him...there are many reasons--not religious ones.

[MeCajunboy]

There are lots of people who atleast try change their lifestyle during the lent ,in a positive manner...Self-denial? I dont think theres anything wrong with this...I dont know where exactly this fits in the scriptures, but if its helping some folks, whats the harm?There is no period specified in the bible where we need to fast n pray, again it may be an initiative of the early church fathers, and they did make it sound like an apostolic tradition!

So we are correct to say that the Lenten tradition requires extra-biblical evidence for its support and therefore would be classified merely as a man-made tradition/doctrine without biblical support? Of course this would mean it is not a biblical requirement and it would be wrong (a sin) to bind it as such upon Christians today.

Jesus spent 40 days in the desert in fasting & prayer. During Lent I imitate Jesus.

Are you authorized (by God) to bind your desert fasting on other Christians? Is it wrong for a religious body that claims to be the

[GardenDove]

Who's to say that a church that observes the tradition of Lent is not 'Spirit Filled'? There are very few actual requirements as to what to do, and most people make their own personal commitments as to how to observe the 40 days of Lent.

It's nice because everyone in a parish is on the same page. Also, becaue it's in sync with the seasons and the natural rhythm of life. I really look forward to this period of renewal. If other people want to do other things and their churches are more unstructured, that's fine too, but I personally find the Liturgical calendar to be wonderful.