I grew up Baptist and never celebrated Lent. We didn't because we were told that was something specific to the Roman Catholic religion and Protestants did not celebrate in the same manner. Now, I left christianity behind many years ago, but I now see as I drive by many Protestant Churches with signs about their activities for Lent.
When did all this change and did it do so because these sects were jealous that Catholicism gets more exposure during this time of the year?
2007-02-23 12:16:03 · 11 answers · asked by genaddt 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Lent has been practiced by Protestants since the Reformation. Remember, Martin Luther was a Catholic priest. The Lutherans have always practiced Lent. The Episcopals, although not truly "Protestant," have also practiced Lent. The Methodists have always practiced Lent, since they came out of the Episcopal Church.
As some have split from these churches, they brought with them some of the customs.
2007-02-23 12:21:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nothing has changed really, lots of Christians practice Lent, but its not a requirement or anything. Some protestant churches don't celebrate it because they believe that it is solely just a Catholic thing, but it really isn't. I've heard that it might had been practiced before the Catholic church was formed, but I definitely know that plenty of the early protestant churches celebrated it, just in their own way is all.
2007-02-23 12:32:35 · answer #2 · answered by Jason M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Church and many other Christians Churches follow the Biblical practice of Jesus Christ and the Jews in setting aside days where the entire Church fasts and prays as one in a attitude of constant renewal.
By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert and in spiritual preparation for the celebration of His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.
This season of penance is an intense moments of the Church's penitential practice and are particularly appropriate for spiritual exercises, penitential liturgies, pilgrimages as signs of penance, voluntary self-denial such as fasting and almsgiving, and charitable and missionary works.
The English word "Lent" come from the Middle English word lenten and the Old English word lencten meaning the season of spring.
With love in Christ.
2007-02-24 15:33:51 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other than Anglican churches and others that are closely related to the Catholic church, I don't know of many Protestant churches that celebrate Lent. Which Protestant denominations are you referring to?
2007-02-23 12:22:32 · answer #4 · answered by thezaylady 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is a huge movement of plenty of mainline protestant churches to start the journey back to the church of the Apostles -- the Catholic Church. It was Martin Luther who first got rid of everything not specifically mentioned in the Bible....but when people start studying the early Christian Church -- beyond the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible -- they are finding that the early Christians did observe Lent back in the day -- and tons of other stuff, too!
So who else observes Lent? An e-pal of mine -- a minister in the Disciples of Christ Church celebrates Lent and has a great website explaining tons of stuff that the very early Church did. See http://www.kencollins.com
My parents belong to the Assembly of God and they are observing Lent to some degree. They do not believe in using any tangible items in their worship -- so forget ashes for Ash Wednesday and palms on Palm Sunday and stuff like that. My parents used to belong to a little non-denominational "mom & pop" kind of church and they observed Lent there as well but again, no tangibles.
The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. http://www.presbyterianchurchusa.com/definitions/ also observes it as does the following:
The Congregational Church -- (check their calendar for 2/21) http://www.north-church.org/
2007-02-23 12:23:03 · answer #5 · answered by The Carmelite 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think it has to do with Protestantism accepting a LOT of stuff they used to frown upon. I don't know of any churches in my area that observe Lent, except the Catholics of course. But it wouldn't surprise me a bit to see that some Protestants copy their Catholic neighbors. Maybe it's for attention? Maybe it's for money? Maybe it's just part of Satan's big lie that they're all being caught up in? Who knows....
2007-02-23 12:29:32 · answer #6 · answered by married_so_leave_me_alone1999 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If I have been to alter right into a christian i could be a lutheran. i be attentive to a church with captivating accoustics. that's a exhilaration to sing there. i've got theory approximately attending as a concentrated visitor just to sing interior the congregation. i could yet. Your options are much greater constrained. identity say connect a church that has a captivating construction and the previous latin mass. i do no longer look after this new american protestantism.
2016-10-01 21:26:47 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who is lent?
2007-02-23 13:02:44 · answer #8 · answered by A follower of Christ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Copy Cats. They just want to feel they have some sort of legitimacy
2007-02-23 12:19:29 · answer #9 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I "lent" this one ***** $5.00 in quarters. She's yet to pay me back, though.
2007-02-23 12:19:46 · answer #10 · answered by Loathe thy neighbor. 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋