Leisure Time as a Challenge to Theology

Free time is one of the significant phenomenon of contemporary life. People's attitude towards time and leisure is influenced by the Judeo-Christian tradition as well as by contemporary consumer trends. The author builds on the teachings of J. Pieper and R. Bleinstein and seeks to establish the place of leisure in theology. From philosophical reflections about understanding time he moves to topics of social ethics which are linked with the modern concept of leisure. Leisure consequently appears as an area for the realisation of interpersonal relationships as well as for searching for God, as it corresponds with the biblical idea of the Sabbath. At the end of the article the author reflects on pastoral care in the context of a "leisure society".

Keywords: Theology of earthly realities; Leisure; Free time; Cult; Feast; Celebration; Recreation; Pastoral care