I love the season of Lent. There is a beauty in the practice of self-reflection that helps us to become the people we are created to be. The season is a time to examine our lives in a way that directs us to a deeper understanding of the love that God has for us. It is one of the reasons that I appreciate the writings of Peter Abelard. Abelard lived from 1079 – 1142 and was a French philosopher and theologian. One of his most important contributions to Christianity was labeled as heresy – his views on the cross. In his time, the leading thought on why Christ died on the cross was that it was necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
In addition, it was thought Christ had to die in the place of all humanity. In very logical arguments, Abelard showed scriptural accounts of Jesus forgiving people before He was ever crucified, thereby proving that the Crucifixion was not a requirement for forgiveness. Instead, Abelard wrote that God revealed in Christ the ultimate expression of His perfect love. God did not need to have Jesus die before God would love people – for God had always loved people. Peter Abelard thought Jesus died on the cross as the example of perfect love, God’s love. Put simply, Abelard thought that the Cross was not to change the mind of God, but the hearts of humankind.
With that in mind, Lent is a season to reflect on one’s life, not for the purpose of feeling guilt in the death of Christ, but instead, to know that the unconditional love of Christ frees and empowers us to live as the people we were created to be. We were made in God’s image to be children of God. The goal is not perfect actions and thoughts for every moment of our lives (none of us is up to that task!), but rather a journey that strives to fully love God by the way we love our neighbors (all of humanity) in the way that we love ourselves.
During this Lenten season, remember Christ has set us free from guilt and fear. We are free to explore our lives for any and all ways that we can love God more completely by the way we love the people around us as well as caring for our own health as children of God. It is the most important thing we can do each day!
Dr. Robert Long, Senior Pastor
