Calvin on Lent
At the beginning of Lent (which begins today with Ash Wednesday) it might be helpful to hear the counsel of John Calvin. This excerpt comes from an article at the Gospel Coalition website and maybe helpful for some of you as you prayerfully consider how you will approach Lent.
“We observe Calvin’s intentionality in his comments about Lent, for example. In the Institutes 4.12.19-21, the French reformer enumerates reasons for taking “precaution lest any superstition creep in, as has previously happened to the great harm of the church.” He first quotes Joel 2:13 in opposition to religious hypocrisy. Second, citing Augustine, he cautions readers to avoid Lenten fasts as a work of merit. He then goes on to tackle the problems of legalism and spiritual pride. In all of this exhortation, Calvin is helping ex-Catholics evaluate familiar traditions in the light of Scripture. While recognizing a proper observance of Lent—one that flows from a heart of gratitude—he opposes superstitious distortions. By way of conclusion, Calvin writes:
“Wicked laws were passed which bind consciences with deadly chains. The eating of meat was forbidden, as if it would defile a man. Sacrilegious opinions were piled upon one another, until the depth of all errors was reached. And not to overlook any depravity, they began, with a completely absurd pretense of abstinence, to mock God.”
The point of all this is that most of the Reformers, including Calvin, were not opposed to seasons like Lent, instead, they were opposed to a ritualistic, legalistic observance of such. So long as the observant is internally and really focused on God through a disposition of gratitude and deep desire to grow in faith, participation in a Lenten fast can still be of great value.
