History of Lent

Discussions surrounding Lent often fall into two extremes. On one side, many Christians assume it is a time-honored tradition tracing back to the time of Christ – widespread, holy, and symbolically Christian – and therefore biblical in origin. A forty-day fast leading up to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection seems appropriate, spiritually meaningful, and rooted in devotion. Because it feels so deeply Christian, to question it can seem almost heretical. On the other side, critics often … [Read more...] about Lent: Scripture, Tradition, and the Question of Origins