INTRODUCTION TO LENT
DEATH: THE KEY TO TRUE HUMANITY

In the West we are part of a culture that vicariously celebrates violent, disturbing death scenes in the many non-stop entertainments that continue to capture our attention. However, when it comes to dealing with real life death scenarios, the story is often the opposite. Scholars suggest that for the first time in the history of the world, we no longer live with death and dying in the same visceral, immediate ways our ancestors did. Now when a loved one dies, their body is rushed off to the crematorium and eventually a memorial service of celebration takes place. Those who study grief believe that we no longer know how to grieve corporately for those we have lost or by extension, for a dying world. It appears that many Christians have embraced the seductive lifestyle of the present moment with all the creature comforts that we could ever possibly want. We think that we are living life to the fullest, but there is a vast difference between a biblical understanding of what it means to be truly human and what the world around us thinks living abundantly involves.

It seems that those who have been touched by death, sickness, suffering, and persecution are often the ones who come to understand what it is to be most fully alive. British racecar driver James Hunt once quipped, “The closer you are to death the more alive you feel, the more alive you are.” Irenaeus of Lyons at the end of the second century wrote just prior to his martyrdom, ”I desire him who died for our sake. I desire him who rose for us. Suffer me to receive the pure light; when I shall arrive there, I shall become a human being. Suffer me to follow the example of the Passion of my God.” It appears that Irenaeus understood heaven to be the place where full humanity would ultimately be realized. His statement is the reversal of the way many of us normally think. Our long bucket lists and our desires to live life with gusto here on earth sometimes seem to negate the reality and wonder of eternal life.

As we contemplated the focus for this year’s Lenten devotionals, a little book was brought to our attention. The title is Becoming Human: Meditations on Christian Anthropology in Word and Image. Professor and theologian Dr. John Behr wrote it. We have incorporated some of the ideas from his book and teachings into the 2019 Lent Project in an attempt to bring to our readers what we trust will be a powerful and transformational spiritual experience. Professor Behr’s years of theological study, prayer and searching the scriptures have, in Becoming Human, distilled complex truths into simple concepts we can easily grasp including: God’s great project is the human being, Christ is the first true human, out of death comes life, and strength is made perfect in weakness. We trust you will be edified in spirit and in truth as we journey together, chewing on the meaty issues of life and death and what it ultimately means to be fully alive.

We are most grateful for all of the illustrators, artisans, fine artists, poets, authors, composers, and musicians who have contributed to this project. The multiplicity of styles, cultures, and wide range of denominations represented, always creates a full-bodied meditation on the marvelous things that God has done and is doing in the hearts and lives of those who seek him. We are also most grateful to those readers who have contributed financially to this unusual endeavor. It is your support that continues to makes these projects possible.

Our team has spent dozens of hours culling through hundreds of musical compositions and works of art and poetry in an attempt to bring a heartfelt worship experience to our participants. A special thank you to artist and educator Barry Krammes who selected the Scriptures, artist Betty Spackman who selected the artwork, poet Amy Munson who selected the poetry, musician Rachel Glazener who selected the music for this year’s project, and to Rick Langer, Director of the Office for the Integration of Faith and Learning, for his wonderful video introduction to the Lent Project.

Additionally, we have provided resources under the “About” tab located next to the “Devotional” tab, that give you biographical information on the artists, poets, composers, and musicians used in the Project, as well as lyrics, song/composition titles, and artwork information. Through the combination of Scripture, prayer and the arts, The Lent Project offers a wonderful opportunity for daily reflection and an occasion for us to pray with our eyes and ears, as well as, with our hearts and minds.