Leisure Studies and Christian Scholarship
Two Solitudes?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35699/2447-6218.2021.36334Keywords:
Leisure Activities, Religion, Christian knowledgeAbstract
This paper examines the interrelationships between scholarly Christian writings on leisure and leisure studies literature. As an academic field of study leisure studies is a fairly recent development, however throughout Christian history leisure has been considered by Christians such as Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin. A number of observations can be made from a review of these two bodies of literature. First, although numerous books have been written in recent decades by Christian scholars on the subject of leisure, very few of these scholars have been leisure studies scholars, and in most cases, these Christian writings have not made reference to some concepts prevalent in leisure studies literature (e.g., leisure as a state of mind, feminist perspectives, serious leisure). Second, with a few exceptions, leisure studies literature rarely references these Christian writings on leisure. Third, leisure studies literature sometimes takes biblical verses out of context and portrays the leisure attitudes and behaviours of some Christian groups such as the Puritans in an overly negative manner. Fourth, the recent interest within the leisure studies field of the relationship between leisure and spirituality offers the possibility of some convergence between the two bodies of literature, although the leisure studies literature tends to favour a more humanistic view of spirituality. In particular, qualitative research studies on leisure and spirituality give a voice to Christian perspectives as expressed through the words of Christian participants.
Downloads
References
ARNOLD, S.The dilemma of meaning. In: GOODALE, T.L.; WITT, P.A. (org.). Recreation and leisure: Issues in an era of change. State College, PA: Venture,1980, p. 5-18.
BARRETT, C.; WINNIFRITH, T. The philosophy of leisure. London, UK: Macmillan. 1989.
BERRYMAN, J.W. Godly play: A way of religious education. San Francisco, CA: Harper. 1991.
BILLY, D.J. The call to holy rest. New Blackfriars, v. 82, n. 962, p. 182–187, 2001.
DAHL, G. Work, play and worship in a leisure-oriented society. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg. 1972.
DOOHAN, L. Leisure: A spiritual need. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press. 1990.
DUBAY, T. The evidential power of beauty: Science and theology meet. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press. 1999.
FALWELL, J. Listen America. Garden City, NY: Doubleday. 1980.
FOSTER, I.M. Wilderness, a spiritual antidote to the everyday: A phenomenology of spiritual experiences in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. University of Montana. Missoula, MT. 2012.
FOSTER, R.J.; GRIFFIN, E. Spiritual classics. New York, NY: Harper San Francisco. 2000.
FOSTER, R.J.; SMITH, J.B. Devotional classics. New York, NY: Harper San Francisco. 1993.
FOX, R.J. Women, nature and spirituality: A qualitative study exploring women’s wilderness experience. In: ROWE, D.; BROWN, P. (org.), Proceedings, ANZALS conference. Newcastle, NSW: Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies, and the Department of Leisure and Tourism Studies, The University of Newcastle. 1997, p. 59-64.
FREDRICKSON, L.M.; ANDERSON, D.H. A qualitative exploration of the wilderness experience as a source of spiritual inspiration. Journal of Environmental Psychology, v. 19, p. 21-39, 1999.
GOODALE, T.L.; GODBEY, G.C. The evolution of leisure: Historical and philosophical perspectives. State College, PA: Venture. 1988.
GOOGLE SCHOLAR. Retrieved on May 2, 2015 from: https://scholar.google.ca/. 2015.
HANSEL, T. When I relax I feel guilty? Elgin, IL: David C. Cook. 1979.
HEINTZMAN, P. Leisure and spiritual well-being relationships: A qualitative study. Society and Leisure, v. 23, n. 1, p. 41-69, 2000.
______. In and out of context: The use of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 in leisure literature. In: DELAMERE, T.; RANDALL, C,; ROBINSON, D. (org.), The two solitudes: Isolation or impact? Anais: The Eleventh Canadian Congress on Leisure Research. Nanaimo, BC: Department of Recreation and Tourism Management, Malaspina University-College. 2005, p. 251-256.
HEINTZMAN, P. (2007). Men’s wilderness experience and spirituality: A qualitative study. In: BURNS, R.; ROBINSON, K. (Comps.), Anais: Proceedings of the 2006 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium. (Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-14). Newton Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 2007, p. 216-225.
______. Have leisure and know that I am God”: Hermeneutical considerations. In: KIVEL, B.D.; GIBSON, H (Comps.), Anais: Leisure Research Symposium. Ashburn, VA: National Recreation and Parks Association. 2009a, p. 130-134.
______. The spiritual benefits of leisure. Leisure/Loisir, v. 33, n. 1, p. 419-445, 2009b.
______. Leisure studies and spirituality: A Christian critique. Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, v. 1, p. 19-31, 2010.
______. “There is nothing new under the sun”: A weaving of social scientific research findings on leisure and spirituality with wisdom from Christian classics of spirituality. In: An evolving tapestry: Weaving together threads of leisure. Anais:13th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research, May, 2011. St. Catharines, ON: Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Brock University. 2011, p. 148-152.
______. The spiritual dimension of campers’ park experience. Managing Leisure, v. 17, n. 4, p. 291-310, 2012.
______.; VAN ANDEL, G.E.; VISKER, T.L. (org.). Christianity and leisure: Issues in a pluralistic society. Sioux Center, IA: Dordt Press. 1994.
HEMINGWAY, J.L. Emancipating leisure: The recovery of freedom in leisure. Journal of Leisure Research, v. 28, n. 1, p. 27-43. 1996.
HENDERSON, K.A. Introduction to recreation services: Sustainability for a changing world. State College, PA: Venture. 2014.
______. Leisure and the academy: Curricula and scholarship in higher education. In: WALKER, G.; SCOTT, D.; STODOLSKA, M (org.), Leisure matters: The state and future of leisure studies. State College, PA: Venture. 2016, p. 345-352.
______.; et al. Introduction to recreation and leisure services, 8th ed. State College, PA: Venture. 2001.
HOOVER, M. Understanding National Park visitor experiences through backcountry register content analysis. In: BOCARRO, J.; STODOLSKA, M. (org.) Abstracts from the 2012 Leisure Research Symposium. Ashburn, VA: National Recreation and Park Association. 2012.
JOHNSON, K. “Problematizing Puritan play.” Leisure/Loisir, v. 33, n. 1, p. 31–54, 2009.
JOHNSTON, R. K. The Christian at play. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 1983.
LEE, R. Religion and leisure in America: A study in four dimensions. New York, NY: Abingdon. 1964.
LEHMAN, H. In praise of leisure. Kitchener, ON: Herald Press. 1974.
LECLERQ, J. The love of learning and the desire for God: A study of monastic culture. New York, NY: Fordham University. 1982.
MARSHALL, P. Vocation, work, and jobs. In: Van Nuis Zylstra. J. (org.), Labour of love: Essays on work. Toronto, ON: Wedge. 1980, p. 1-19.
MOLTMANN, J. Theology of play. New York, NY: Harper & Row. 1972.
NEALE, R.E. In praise of play: Toward a psychology of religion. New York, NY: Harper & Row. 1969.
NEVILLE, G. Free time: Toward a theology of leisure. Birmingham, UK: University of Birmingham Press. 2004.
NORDEN, R. The Christian encounters the new leisure. Saint Louis, MO: Concordia, 1965. 1965.
O’ROURKE, J.J.Work, leisure and contemplation. American Benedictine Review, v. 28, n. 4, p. 351–372, 1977.
O’SULLIVAN, E. Power, promise, potential and possibilities of parks, recreation and leisure. In: Human Kinetics (org.), Introduction to recreation and leisure, 2. ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. 2013.
OSWALT, J. The leisure crisis: A biblical perspective on guilt-free leisure. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 1987.
OWENS, J. Aristotle on leisure. Canadian Journal of Philosophy, v. 16, p. 713-724. 1981.
PIEPER, J. Leisure: The basis of culture (A. Dru, Trans.). New York, NY: Pantheon Books. 1952.
POND, M.F. Investigating climbing as a spiritual experience. Tese de Doutorado. Ohio University, Athens, OH. 2013.
RAHNER, H. Man at play. New York, NY: Herder & Herder. 1972.
RAMSAY, H. Reclaiming leisure: Art, sport, and philosophy. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. 2005.
______. Reflective leisure, freedom and identity. In: ELKINGTON, S.; GAMMON, S.J (org.), Contemporary perspectives in leisure: Meanings, motives and lifelong learning. New York, NY: Routledge. 2014, p. 173-184.
RYKEN, L. Work and leisure in Christian perspective. Portland, OR: Multnomah. 1987.
______. Redeeming the time: A Christian approach to work and leisure. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. 1995.
RYKEN, L. Work and leisure in Christian perspective. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock. 2002.
SAMDAHL, D. M.; KELLY, J. J.Speaking only to ourselves? Citation analysis of Journal of Leisure Research and Leisure Sciences. Journal of Leisure Research, v. 31n. 2), p. 171-180, 1999.
SHAW, S. M. If our research is relevant, why is nobody listening? Journal of Leisure Research, v. 32, n. 1, p. 147-151, 2000.
SHERROW, J.E. It’s about time: A look at leisure, lifestyle, and Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 1984.
SNELL, T.L.; SIMMONDS, J.G. ‘‘Being in that environment can be very therapeutic’’: Spiritual experiences in nature. Ecopsychology, v.4, n. 4, p. 326-335, 2012.
SPENCE, D. Towards a theology of leisure with special reference to creativity. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Parks/Recreation Association. 1973.
STEBBINS, R.A. Serious leisure: A conceptual statement. Pacific Sociological Review, v. 25, n. 2, p. 251–272, 1982.
______. Casual leisure: A conceptual statement. Leisure Studies, v. 16, n. 1, p. 17–25, 1997.
______. Project-based leisure: Theoretical neglect of a common use of free time. Leisure Studies, v. 24, n. 1, p. 1–11, 2005.
STEINDL-RAST, D.Gratefulness, the heart of prayer: An approach to life in fullness.Mahwah, N. J: Paulist Press. 1984.
STRINGER, L.A.; MCAVOY, L.H. The need for something different: Spiritualityand wilderness adventure. Journal of Experiential Education, v. 15, n. 1, p. 13-20, 1992.
SWEATMAN, M.; HEINTZMAN, P. The perceived impact of outdoor residential camp experience on the spirituality of youth. World Leisure Journal, v. 46, n. 1, p. 23-31, 2004.
SYLVESTER, C. The Western idea of work and leisure: Traditions, transformations, and the future. In: JACKSON, E.L.; BURTON, T.L (org.). Leisure studies: Prospects for the twenty-first century. State College, PA: Venture. 1999, p. 17-33.
TEAFF, J. Contemplative leisure within Christian spirituality. In: HEINTZMAN, P.; VAN ANDEL, G.E.; VISKER, T.L (org.).Christianity and leisure: Issues in a pluralistic society, 105-108. Sioux Center, IA: Dordt College Press. 1994, p. 105-108.
UNRUH, A.M.; HUTCHINSON, S. Embedded spirituality: Gardening in daily life and stressful experiences. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, v. 25, p. 567-574, 2011.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 LICERE - Revista do Programa de Pós-graduação Interdisciplinar em Estudos do Lazer
![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.