Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Fasting

Why Easter Eggs? My “AHA!” Moment

April 15, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Ever since I was a kid, long before I had much of an active Christian faith, I wondered: Why do we use eggs to celebrate Easter? Why Easter Eggs? It is not at all obvious. There is only one mention of eggs in the whole New Testament, and it isn’t about Easter. Unless we paint Christian […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Theology, Worship Tagged With: Easter Eggs, Fasting, Pascha, Pysanky, resurrection, Symbolism

Lent 2: Lenten Fasting and My Potato Chip Problem

March 6, 2015 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Once upon a time, a marketing genius thought up a great slogan for Lay’s potato chips: Betcha can’t eat just one.” My waistline has testified to the truth of this for decades. They are right. I can’t. My conversation partner for Lent, the great Desert Father Evagrius Ponticus, had the same insight back in the […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Theology Tagged With: Evagrius of Pontus, Evagrius Ponticus, Fasting, John Calvin, Lent, Lenten disciplines

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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