Free TimeA&C Black, 2004 M05 27 - 162 pages For centuries Christian teachers saw leisure only as a necessary accompaniment of work, a time for the recovery of strength so that work could be resumed. But now the expansion of leisure requires a theological reassessment. These essays are offered as a contribution to that process. In this book hints are taken from a wide variety of theologians, from Augustine and Thomas Aquinas to Pascal, Klerkegaard, Berdyaev, Barth and Moltmann, as well as from sociological writers such as Thorstein Veblen and Josef Pieper. There are also thematic discussions of fantasy and imagination, of freedom-and boredom, and of play, games and laughter. The intention is to stimulate discussion, not to make definitive statements. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Beginning with Aquinas | 10 |
Beyond Morality? | 25 |
The Case against Leisure | 46 |
The Social Frame | 65 |
Reality Fantasy Imagination | 83 |
Freedom and Boredom | 100 |
Play Games and Laughter | 120 |
Concerning Worship | 143 |
| 149 | |
| 155 | |
Common terms and phrases
action Aquinas Aquinas's argued argument attitude Barth Baxter Berdyaev boredom called celebration century Christ Christian church concern contemplation context contrast COPEC creation creative criticism culture discussion distinction divine element essay ethical eutrapelia example fantasy forms of leisure freedom fulfilment George Steiner God's happiness heaven Huizinga human experience Ibid idea idleness imagination individual Jeremy Taylor Jesus Josef Pieper judgement Jürgen Moltmann Karl Barth kind of leisure labour laughter leisure activities leisure class living London Maurice Reckitt meaning mind Moltmann nature Nicholas Berdyaev particular Pascal perhaps play pleasure possible present question quoted reality realm recreation relationships relevant religion religious response rest retirement Richard Baxter self-love sense social duties spirit sport Summa Theologiae T.S. Eliot Taylor Testament theologians theology things Thomas Thomas Aquinas Thomas Traherne Thorstein Veblen thought tradition vanity Vanstone Veblen Western society William Law women word worship writers