In his wide ranging book about evangelicalism and Christian tradition, In Search of Ancient Roots, author and Professor Kenneth J. Stewart notes that "So many more evangelical individuals and congregations now observe the season of Lent, when only a generation ago doing so marked one out as leaning to high church ways".

In December, we published a Lent book by Chris Wright with John Stott, which aims to introduce us to the observation of Lent by pondering the beauty of the Cross of Christ. We'd also love to invite you to sign up for free Daily Lent Devotions, via email, tracing the great themes of Easter through the whole of Scripture.

Sign up here

If you are sceptical about Lent, you are in good company! Kenneth J. Stewart has a fascinating article about it which you can read here, and Trevin Wax has written a helpful overview of the issues for a blog post at the Gospel Coalition. He focuses on the words of Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 to give us a biblical principle for thinking about these things:

"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ"

Where observing Lent helps you to focus on Christ, we'd love to invite you to dig in. Where it is a distraction, or a reminder of former religious practice, then we'd ask you to pray for those of us that are observing it. Because, at the end of the day, the emphasis must be on Christ, and Him Crucified and Resurrected!