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One of the things I think is sorely missing in Christianity (at least, around here) is a source of good education about what Christians do, explained in a way that's clear to non-Christians, and without a side of "and now you should convert."
This being the first day of Lent, I'd like to offer to answer any questions about Christianity my non-Christian friends have. I promise (no, I won't "swear on a stack of Bibles" because the Bible says not to do that kinda thing) that I won't try in any way to convert you.
I love this icon. I borrowed it from an LJ user, because it so perfectly fits how I feel about things, and it's especially appropriate for Lent.
Lent itself doesn't actually appear in the Bible. It's just a season where we prepare for Easter. However, a lot of the stuff we do during Lent is symbolic of things that are in the Bible. We observe Lent for 40 days, and we fast, because Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and fasted. During that time, we are told, he was tempted by Satan.
So, in this icon, Jesus and Satan are in the desert. And what I love best is the body language. They're sitting next to each other, like friends, having a calm discussion in which each of them has a different opinion.
(Also, it kind of makes me wonder about Satan's motivation here. On the one hand, he's got a career in tempting. On the other hand, Satan was banished from Heaven and God a while back-- note he didn't storm out himself in a huff, he was *sent* out-- and here's a chance to hang out with someone he just might still care about, or at least want the approval of, while that person is "on a business trip" being a human.)
Maybe I have too much sympathy here, but I don't think there's a real punishment for that.
This being the first day of Lent, I'd like to offer to answer any questions about Christianity my non-Christian friends have. I promise (no, I won't "swear on a stack of Bibles" because the Bible says not to do that kinda thing) that I won't try in any way to convert you.
I love this icon. I borrowed it from an LJ user, because it so perfectly fits how I feel about things, and it's especially appropriate for Lent.
Lent itself doesn't actually appear in the Bible. It's just a season where we prepare for Easter. However, a lot of the stuff we do during Lent is symbolic of things that are in the Bible. We observe Lent for 40 days, and we fast, because Jesus went into the desert for 40 days and fasted. During that time, we are told, he was tempted by Satan.
So, in this icon, Jesus and Satan are in the desert. And what I love best is the body language. They're sitting next to each other, like friends, having a calm discussion in which each of them has a different opinion.
(Also, it kind of makes me wonder about Satan's motivation here. On the one hand, he's got a career in tempting. On the other hand, Satan was banished from Heaven and God a while back-- note he didn't storm out himself in a huff, he was *sent* out-- and here's a chance to hang out with someone he just might still care about, or at least want the approval of, while that person is "on a business trip" being a human.)
Maybe I have too much sympathy here, but I don't think there's a real punishment for that.
