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Leisure and Spirituality: Biblical, Historical, and Contemporary Perspectives
This addition to the award-winning Engaging Culture series explores the link between leisure and spirituality, offering a Christian perspective on leisure concepts and issues in contemporary society. Paul Heintzman, a respected scholar and experienced recreation practitioner, interacts with biblical, historical, and contemporary leisure studies sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of leisure. He also explains the importance of leisure for spiritual growth and development. This work will appeal to professors and students as well as practitioners in the recreation and leisure services field, youth and college pastors, and camp ministries.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2014
6 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Paul Heintzman
4 booksPaul Heintzman (PhD, University of Waterloo) is associate professor of leisure studies at the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario, and has extensive experience as a recreation practitioner throughout Canada. He previously taught at Brock University and at Acadia University. Heintzman is coeditor of Christianity and Leisure: Issues in a Pluralistic Society and is the author of numerous journal papers and book chapters on the topics of leisure and spirituality, recreation and the environment, and the philosophy and ethics of leisure.
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March 23, 2025
To answer his own question “Why is it important to consider a theology of leisure”, the author says: Because without one, Christian understandings of leisure may merely reflect secular understanding of leisure.
If that’s not your worry, perhaps Heintzman can help you nerd out (1) a few definitions, (2) historical/biblical references, and (3) evolution of ideas.
1. Definitions: Classically (in Ancient Greece), leisure is the noblest pursuit of life, separate from work and recreation. Work is easily defined as means to provide for life’s needs (often accomplished by slaves back then). Recreation is rest from work and is done for the purpose of getting ready to work. In this trichotomy, leisure is done for its own sake. By Cicero’s time, he view leisure as virtuous activities to grow morally, intellectually, and spiritually. Later “holistic view” combined recreation and (classical) leisure.
2. Biblical perspectives, here are some takeaways:
* The sabbath is set to give a rhythm to life. Part of the reason for rest is to give the slaves and oxens time to restore.
* The Bible also contains stories of feasts, festivals suggesting the importance of relaxation and connecting to others.
3. Evolution of the view about work. (1) In Ancient Greece, work is meant for slaves; (2) for early Christians, work is important by not idolized; (3) by the Middle Ages, Church starts to emphasize the importance of physical work. St. Benedict designated work as a spiritual discipline. (4) By Puritans’ time, work (together with frugality) is considered good for soul.
Outside these rather pedantic (or to use his words “theological”) discussions of the concepts, there are a few rather common sensical suggestions to improve spirituality of your leisure: have an attitude of openness; be in nature; get away; enjoy solitude; foster connections with others.
If that’s not your worry, perhaps Heintzman can help you nerd out (1) a few definitions, (2) historical/biblical references, and (3) evolution of ideas.
1. Definitions: Classically (in Ancient Greece), leisure is the noblest pursuit of life, separate from work and recreation. Work is easily defined as means to provide for life’s needs (often accomplished by slaves back then). Recreation is rest from work and is done for the purpose of getting ready to work. In this trichotomy, leisure is done for its own sake. By Cicero’s time, he view leisure as virtuous activities to grow morally, intellectually, and spiritually. Later “holistic view” combined recreation and (classical) leisure.
2. Biblical perspectives, here are some takeaways:
* The sabbath is set to give a rhythm to life. Part of the reason for rest is to give the slaves and oxens time to restore.
* The Bible also contains stories of feasts, festivals suggesting the importance of relaxation and connecting to others.
3. Evolution of the view about work. (1) In Ancient Greece, work is meant for slaves; (2) for early Christians, work is important by not idolized; (3) by the Middle Ages, Church starts to emphasize the importance of physical work. St. Benedict designated work as a spiritual discipline. (4) By Puritans’ time, work (together with frugality) is considered good for soul.
Outside these rather pedantic (or to use his words “theological”) discussions of the concepts, there are a few rather common sensical suggestions to improve spirituality of your leisure: have an attitude of openness; be in nature; get away; enjoy solitude; foster connections with others.
May 19, 2015
Heintzman’s book is unique. Admittedly, prior to reading this work, I was unaware of the entire field of leisure studies. Yet, having read the book, I am deeply intrigued and blessed to have been exposed to it in such a thorough work. In his introduction, the author sets the stage for the rest of the book. After briefly detailing the nature of work and leisure across generations, the author deftly addresses the possible problems and potential benefits of leisure. He states, “The challenge to contemporary Christians is to establish a biblical understanding of work and leisure and their relationship that is appropriate for 21st-century society.” This challenge is what Heintzman takes on in his work. The book is broken up into six parts. Part one addresses the study of leisure within the contemporary society. Part two details the history of the concept of leisure from its classical perspective and its activity perspective. Part three engages with the biblical text in an attempt to understand how the concepts of rest and the Sabbath relate to the modern Christian also addressing less prominent concepts that reflect the concept of leisure. Part four considers the matter of work both from a contemporary perspective and a biblical perspective. Part five offers an evaluation of the different concepts of leisure before proposing a holistic approach to leisure that balances the ideas of spiritual attitude and Christian activity. Part six concludes the major sections of the book with reflections upon the relationship between spirituality and the concept of leisure. The book concludes with a brief epilogue that highlights “the principles of Sabbath-keeping, rest, and a balanced rhythm of work and leisure.”
All in all, this is a quality book with helpful insights into an exceedingly practical aspect of life. While some might be tempted to squabble over aspects of part three in regards to the perpetuity of a Sabbath pattern from creation and its application for a Christian, the major point of the book does not depend upon one’s understanding of the validity of the Ten Commandments for the New Covenant Christian. Heintzman’s principles stand fast and are easy to receive. This work is not polemical, but it is scholarly. If there is something ironic about the book, it might be that it not exactly a leisure to read (at least in an activity sense), but is certainly informs the vita contemplativa of the interested Christian. Heintzman has written a fine book. I would encourage all with an interest in leisure studies to put in the work to read and digest this thorough contribution to the field.
All in all, this is a quality book with helpful insights into an exceedingly practical aspect of life. While some might be tempted to squabble over aspects of part three in regards to the perpetuity of a Sabbath pattern from creation and its application for a Christian, the major point of the book does not depend upon one’s understanding of the validity of the Ten Commandments for the New Covenant Christian. Heintzman’s principles stand fast and are easy to receive. This work is not polemical, but it is scholarly. If there is something ironic about the book, it might be that it not exactly a leisure to read (at least in an activity sense), but is certainly informs the vita contemplativa of the interested Christian. Heintzman has written a fine book. I would encourage all with an interest in leisure studies to put in the work to read and digest this thorough contribution to the field.
January 13, 2021
Requisite joke: for a book about leisure, this book is not leisurly. It very much reads like the scholarly dissertation that it began as, without much editing to make it accessible for a general audience. Often much of the text centers on what other scholars has said throughout the years on issues of work and leisure. As such it can be a bit of a slog to get through.
For the patient reader, though, there is a lot to consider here, however, with much of the book about the differing perspectives on leisure and a Biblical analysis of each. In our western culture in which leisure and the avoidance of work seems to be the singular goal for many people, even Christians, this book serves as something of a rebuke to how we spend time and asks us to change our mindset towards God-focused endeavors.
For the patient reader, though, there is a lot to consider here, however, with much of the book about the differing perspectives on leisure and a Biblical analysis of each. In our western culture in which leisure and the avoidance of work seems to be the singular goal for many people, even Christians, this book serves as something of a rebuke to how we spend time and asks us to change our mindset towards God-focused endeavors.
February 15, 2019
Detailed, researched review of what is leisure
Author was thorough to the point of being repetitive as a good dissertation must to nail down salient points. Maybe their are other books like this but given that I don’t know about them this is the best I could find. Glad I read it and want to do more to practice Biblical rest.
Author was thorough to the point of being repetitive as a good dissertation must to nail down salient points. Maybe their are other books like this but given that I don’t know about them this is the best I could find. Glad I read it and want to do more to practice Biblical rest.
January 4, 2026
I am very interested in the topic, and if you really mine through this book there are some interesting insights, for example on the interpretation of the book of Ecclesiastes. However it is not very well written. Oh well.
October 3, 2018
More ”leisure studies” than biblical or theological perspective
Want to read
June 10, 2019Recommended by Tony Rheinke
June 30, 2015
Leisure and Spirituality by Paul Heintzman. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2015.
Summary: This book explores the connection between leisure and spirituality from a Christian perspective, considering contemporary and classical concepts of leisure, the perspective on leisure we may gain from the Bible, and the author's own synthesis and critique of leisure concepts, biblical material and contemporary research.
Leisure and spirituality. For some, the only relation between these two words is that of an oxymoron. And that may be our problem. Gordon Dahl, one of the early writers on leisure and play noted that most people, "tend to worship their work, to work at their play, and to play at their worship." Paul Heintzman, a leisure studies professor at the University of Ottawa, has given us a measured, clear and thoughtful assessment of the contemporary, classical, and biblical material related to these ideas along with findings from contemporary research in this field.
The book begins by exploring concepts of leisure and their contemporary expressions, outlining seven conceptions: leisure as a state of being, leisure as non-work activity, leisure as free time, leisure as a symbol of social class, leisure as a state of mind (flow experiences for example), feminist conceptions of leisure, and holistic leisure. He explores the history of the leisure concept which he sees expressed both in Greek and monastic Christian circles as contemplation, a state of being; and leisure as activity, the primary conception of leisure in the Reformation and Renaissance, conceiving of work as primary and leisure as restorative.
Heintzman turns to the biblical material beginning with the commands around sabbath and its support of an egalitarian view of life, a rhythm of work and rest, and qualitative renewal and celebration. He explores the use of "rest" in the Bible and finds again a qualitative emphasis on the enjoyment of peace, abundance, and freedom, centered around a secure relationship with God in Christ. He then considers other related words, most notably the use of schole' in the Septuagint translation of Psalm 46:10, rendering it, as Josef Pieper did, "have leisure and know that I am God." which certainly supports a contemplative notion of leisure. He also notes in Israel's festivals a more active expression of leisure. He follows this with an exploration of work in the Bible and its relation to leisure.
In the concluding chapters of the book, he applies the biblical material to a critique of the different concepts of leisure, arguing for a holistic view that combines contemplative and active conceptions of leisure. He contends for an identity view with regard to a work-leisure ethic in which work and leisure are not fragmented into separate aspects of a life but experienced simultaneously by whole persons, where we "rest in our work". He then turns to eight processes that have been found in research to enhance spirituality, considers how these help in coping with stress, and concludes with arguing for the mean found in the book of Ecclesiastes between hedonistic pleasure seeking and compulsive workaholism--the enjoyment of the goodness of our lives in rhythms of work and rest.
This is an important work in several ways. I did quite a bit of reading on the theology of work in the 1980s, covering the ground Heintzman covers. What I discovered, and Heintzman confirms in his literature review, is that little has been written in this area since then and so this book explores work, rest and leisure for a new generation. In addition, Heintzman gives us a thorough and clear overview of conceptions of leisure including those of Veblen on the leisure class, and feminist perspectives, that might not be as commonly considered. What I found most valuable, however, was the latter part of the book where Heintzman gives his own critique and synthesis of all this material. The eight practices he advocates out of his research may be helpful for those who engage in spiritual direction or retreat planning as well as those leading recreation programs, particularly in Christian settings. Many of us still struggle with reconciling the ideas of leisure and spirituality. After reading Heintzman's book, these are a bit less of an oxymoron for me.
_____________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Summary: This book explores the connection between leisure and spirituality from a Christian perspective, considering contemporary and classical concepts of leisure, the perspective on leisure we may gain from the Bible, and the author's own synthesis and critique of leisure concepts, biblical material and contemporary research.
Leisure and spirituality. For some, the only relation between these two words is that of an oxymoron. And that may be our problem. Gordon Dahl, one of the early writers on leisure and play noted that most people, "tend to worship their work, to work at their play, and to play at their worship." Paul Heintzman, a leisure studies professor at the University of Ottawa, has given us a measured, clear and thoughtful assessment of the contemporary, classical, and biblical material related to these ideas along with findings from contemporary research in this field.
The book begins by exploring concepts of leisure and their contemporary expressions, outlining seven conceptions: leisure as a state of being, leisure as non-work activity, leisure as free time, leisure as a symbol of social class, leisure as a state of mind (flow experiences for example), feminist conceptions of leisure, and holistic leisure. He explores the history of the leisure concept which he sees expressed both in Greek and monastic Christian circles as contemplation, a state of being; and leisure as activity, the primary conception of leisure in the Reformation and Renaissance, conceiving of work as primary and leisure as restorative.
Heintzman turns to the biblical material beginning with the commands around sabbath and its support of an egalitarian view of life, a rhythm of work and rest, and qualitative renewal and celebration. He explores the use of "rest" in the Bible and finds again a qualitative emphasis on the enjoyment of peace, abundance, and freedom, centered around a secure relationship with God in Christ. He then considers other related words, most notably the use of schole' in the Septuagint translation of Psalm 46:10, rendering it, as Josef Pieper did, "have leisure and know that I am God." which certainly supports a contemplative notion of leisure. He also notes in Israel's festivals a more active expression of leisure. He follows this with an exploration of work in the Bible and its relation to leisure.
In the concluding chapters of the book, he applies the biblical material to a critique of the different concepts of leisure, arguing for a holistic view that combines contemplative and active conceptions of leisure. He contends for an identity view with regard to a work-leisure ethic in which work and leisure are not fragmented into separate aspects of a life but experienced simultaneously by whole persons, where we "rest in our work". He then turns to eight processes that have been found in research to enhance spirituality, considers how these help in coping with stress, and concludes with arguing for the mean found in the book of Ecclesiastes between hedonistic pleasure seeking and compulsive workaholism--the enjoyment of the goodness of our lives in rhythms of work and rest.
This is an important work in several ways. I did quite a bit of reading on the theology of work in the 1980s, covering the ground Heintzman covers. What I discovered, and Heintzman confirms in his literature review, is that little has been written in this area since then and so this book explores work, rest and leisure for a new generation. In addition, Heintzman gives us a thorough and clear overview of conceptions of leisure including those of Veblen on the leisure class, and feminist perspectives, that might not be as commonly considered. What I found most valuable, however, was the latter part of the book where Heintzman gives his own critique and synthesis of all this material. The eight practices he advocates out of his research may be helpful for those who engage in spiritual direction or retreat planning as well as those leading recreation programs, particularly in Christian settings. Many of us still struggle with reconciling the ideas of leisure and spirituality. After reading Heintzman's book, these are a bit less of an oxymoron for me.
_____________________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
July 11, 2015
Chances are, you think of leisure as 'what you do for fun,' and you probably don't think it is particularly spiritual. However the concept of leisure is more comprehensive than just Candycrush. Through the centuries leisure has been thought of, variously, as: a state of being, a non-work activity, free time, conspicuous consumption, an optimal psychological experience, a meaningful experience, or holistically, reflecting all-of-life (6). Paul Hientzman explores contemporary thinking on literature and brings it into conversation with biblical spirituality arguing that leisure (and life!) reaches its fullest potential when sought in relationship with God.
Heintzman (Ph,D, University of Waterloo) is associate professor of leisure studies at the University of Ottawa and has extensive experience as a 'recreation practitioner throughout Canada' He co-edits the journal, Christianity and Leisure: Issues in a Pluralistic Society and is an Alumnus of Regent College, a place dear to my heart (MCS, 1986). In Leisure and Spirituality, Heintzman gives a comprehensive overview of biblical, historical and contemporary perspectives on leisure.
Heintzman's book consists of six parts and an epilogue. In part one, he outlines contemporary thinking about leisure (including the seven concepts outlined above), In part two he examines the historical background to the concept of leisure, arguing that the classical greek, 'state of being' idea of leisure informed the concept of the via contemplativa and Christian monasticism championed by Roman Catholics. In general, the post-Enlightenment and Protestant idea of leisure, treated leisure as a 'non-work activity' and a reward for a job-well done. Part three steps back from this historical sketch and examines the biblical concept of leisure, especial through the related domains of a theology of Sabbath and rest, related concepts lie festivals, feasts, hospitality, dance and friendship, as well as passages that inform our concept of leisure. Part four unfolds the concept of work (in historic, current and biblical thought). Then in parts five and six Heintzman draws the various themes together and offers a Christian, theological perspective on leisure.
This is a rather impressive book. I have not read anything in field of leisure studies, and am grateful for the way Heintzman summarizes and synthesizes the various streams of thought. By bringing the Bible and Christian thought into conversation with leisure studies, he is able to show how Christianity offers a comprehensive, holistic theology of leisure that is rooted in God's sovereignty. Heintzman synthesizes the insights of both the Classical/Catholic state-of-being concept of leisure, and the Protestant idea of leisure as a non-work-activity and sees biblical justification for both. These emphasize a qualitative and a quantitative aspect of leisure, respectively and each fits well with a theology of leisure:
a Christian holistic conceptualization of leisure has two dimensions: a qualitative and a quantitative. The qualitative dimension is the spiritual attitude and condition of being that reflects the quality of life available in Jesus Christ. The qualitative dimension is not limited to a certain time period, thus it may be experienced simultaneously with work; work may be conceived of as an expression of this attitude. The quantitative dimension of lesiure consists of certain times and activitives--ranging from silent contemplation to an active celebration in the gifts of creation--in which an intensification of leisure is experienced. Thus all of our lives should be characterized by a spiritual attitude of leisure, but at the same time our life should exhibit a rhythm of periods of work and periods of intense leisure. (210)
Heintzman also has wise words to say about how leisure contributes to spiritual well being and our ability to cope with the stress of life.
I think before reading this book, I would say I solely sought of leisure as a non-work, free-time activity. I would have allowed that some activities were healthy leisure, and others were not, but hadn't thought particularly well or deeply on the concept of leisure. Heintzman enlarged my vision and helped me appreciate both the quantitative dimension (Sabbath and celebration) and the qualitative dimension (the joy of the Lord) of leisure. Moreover I enjoyed the book. I give this five stars.
Notice of material connection: I received this book via Baker Academic in exchange for my honest review.
Heintzman (Ph,D, University of Waterloo) is associate professor of leisure studies at the University of Ottawa and has extensive experience as a 'recreation practitioner throughout Canada' He co-edits the journal, Christianity and Leisure: Issues in a Pluralistic Society and is an Alumnus of Regent College, a place dear to my heart (MCS, 1986). In Leisure and Spirituality, Heintzman gives a comprehensive overview of biblical, historical and contemporary perspectives on leisure.
Heintzman's book consists of six parts and an epilogue. In part one, he outlines contemporary thinking about leisure (including the seven concepts outlined above), In part two he examines the historical background to the concept of leisure, arguing that the classical greek, 'state of being' idea of leisure informed the concept of the via contemplativa and Christian monasticism championed by Roman Catholics. In general, the post-Enlightenment and Protestant idea of leisure, treated leisure as a 'non-work activity' and a reward for a job-well done. Part three steps back from this historical sketch and examines the biblical concept of leisure, especial through the related domains of a theology of Sabbath and rest, related concepts lie festivals, feasts, hospitality, dance and friendship, as well as passages that inform our concept of leisure. Part four unfolds the concept of work (in historic, current and biblical thought). Then in parts five and six Heintzman draws the various themes together and offers a Christian, theological perspective on leisure.
This is a rather impressive book. I have not read anything in field of leisure studies, and am grateful for the way Heintzman summarizes and synthesizes the various streams of thought. By bringing the Bible and Christian thought into conversation with leisure studies, he is able to show how Christianity offers a comprehensive, holistic theology of leisure that is rooted in God's sovereignty. Heintzman synthesizes the insights of both the Classical/Catholic state-of-being concept of leisure, and the Protestant idea of leisure as a non-work-activity and sees biblical justification for both. These emphasize a qualitative and a quantitative aspect of leisure, respectively and each fits well with a theology of leisure:
a Christian holistic conceptualization of leisure has two dimensions: a qualitative and a quantitative. The qualitative dimension is the spiritual attitude and condition of being that reflects the quality of life available in Jesus Christ. The qualitative dimension is not limited to a certain time period, thus it may be experienced simultaneously with work; work may be conceived of as an expression of this attitude. The quantitative dimension of lesiure consists of certain times and activitives--ranging from silent contemplation to an active celebration in the gifts of creation--in which an intensification of leisure is experienced. Thus all of our lives should be characterized by a spiritual attitude of leisure, but at the same time our life should exhibit a rhythm of periods of work and periods of intense leisure. (210)
Heintzman also has wise words to say about how leisure contributes to spiritual well being and our ability to cope with the stress of life.
I think before reading this book, I would say I solely sought of leisure as a non-work, free-time activity. I would have allowed that some activities were healthy leisure, and others were not, but hadn't thought particularly well or deeply on the concept of leisure. Heintzman enlarged my vision and helped me appreciate both the quantitative dimension (Sabbath and celebration) and the qualitative dimension (the joy of the Lord) of leisure. Moreover I enjoyed the book. I give this five stars.
Notice of material connection: I received this book via Baker Academic in exchange for my honest review.
June 11, 2016
While I think it could've used a different title and be half the length, this book is a fascinating study of leisure from a Christian worldview.
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