Recreation

A post inspired by Reading the Classics with Challies.

The final 2 chapters of Wilberforce's book, with a pared down title of Real Christianity, contain a wide range of topics and issues pertaining to the authentic Christian life. I would like to consider a few things the author mentions about recreation.

Since the 80's, when it first came to my attention, the group Loverboy revealed to me what most people already knew; 'everybody is working for the weekend'. We are a society that is consumed with pastimes, hobbies, recreations and amusements. I do not know for certain that this generation is more enamored with their recreation than other generations, but I do know it is of great importance to many people.

Consider what Wilberforce has to say concerning our leisure pursuits: "The Christian relaxes in the temperate use of all the gifts of Providence. Imagination, and taste, and genius, and the beauties of creation, and the works of art, lie open to him. He relaxes in the feast of reason, in the intercourses of society, in the sweets of friendship, in the endearments of love, in the exercise of hope, of confidence, of joy, of gratitude, of universal good-will, of all the benevolent and generous affections; which, by the gracious appointment of our Creator, while they disinterestedly intend only happiness to others, are most surely productive of peace and joy to ourselves." (287) The author is not 'anti-recreation'. He believes that recreation and the activities we enjoy are very much 'gifts of providence. He speaks appreciatingly of our love of the arts, of social activities, of challenging our minds with 'feasts of reason'. But his positive support for recreation is not a carte blanche acceptance of all things leisure.

Wilberforce suggests that recreation should serve a purpose; it is not supposed to be a trivial pursuit. "There can be no dispute concerning the true end of recreations. They are intended to refresh our exhausted bodily or mental powers, and to restore us, with renewed vigour, to the more serious occupations of life. Whatever therefore fatigues either body, or mind, instead of refreshing them, is not fitted to answer the designed purpose. Whatever consumes more time, or money, or thought, than it is expedient (I might say necessary) to allot to mere amusement, can hardly be approved by any one, who considers these talents as precious deposits, for the expenditure of which he will have to give account." (285) Recreation has a pragmatic end; it is to refresh and reinvigorate us so we can approach the 'more serious occupations of life' with alacrity and enthusiasm. A Christian must be a good steward of his recreation as he is with all other aspects of his life. And hobbies or pastimes that exhaust us in mind and body or are unreasonably expensive or trivial are not legitimate in the authors opinion. We all can certainly benefit by considering our recreational activities and determining if they are indeed time well spent.

And although the author recognizes the appropriateness of reasonable recreation, he also opines that "this world is not his resting place: here, to the very last, he must be a pilgrim and a stranger; a soldier, whose warfare ends only with life, over struggling and combating with the powers of darkness, and with the temptations of the world around him, and the still more dangerous hostilities of internal depravity." (284) We are pilgrims and strangers in this world and 'rest' in worldly activities is a poor substitute for the rest we shall find in God. And we are in a state of perpetual warfare against the evil powers, worldly influences, and our flesh. We are not hedonists of the earthly kind.

Among other things I did not expect to find in this book, a brief theology of recreation is right near the top. But if we take the author's advice we see that recreation is a gift from God provided for our refreshment and renewal and it should invigorate us for our daily journey as a pilgrim and strengthen us for our battles as a soldier. It seems like wise counsel for our generation.

What's wrong with the world?

A post inspired by Reading the Classics with Challies.

In chapters 5 and 6 Wilbeforce seems to get a little more practical. Since 'A Practical View' is the start of this book's lengthy title, it is appropriate that the author goes in this direction as the book approaches its completion.

The title to Chapter 6, very wordy as per usual, ends with this phrase: 'Practical Hints for which the Foregoing Considerations Give Occasion'. It is in this section of the reading I wish to focus.

Wilberforce is concerned with the decaying Christianity that is apparent in his country. His concerned is partially based on the fact that he believes a weakened Christianity will have an adverse effect on all of society; "...in particular it must be material to ascertain, whether religion be in an advancing or a declining state; and, if the latter be the case, whether there be any practical means for preventing at least its farther declension." (231)

Wilberforce believes that Christian morals are what bring 'good' to a society. In contrast, his blame for evil in a society is clear: "But, more than all this ; it has not perhaps been enough remarked, that true Christianity, from her essential nature, appears peculiarly and powerfully adapted to promote the preservation and healthfulness of political communities. What is in truth their grand malady? The answer is short; Selfishness." (251) Therefore the main bulwark against selfishness and thus evil is 'Real Christianity': "...unless the prevalence of this be in some degree restored, we are likely, not only to lose all the advantages which we might have derived from true Christianity, but to incur all the manifold evils which would result from the absence of all religion." (256)

Many would not disagree with the author in that they think we need sound morals for a just and caring society. They would, however, take issue with his idea that Christianity was needed for true morality. Wilberforce has considered this option. "But in this way the fatal habit of considering Christian morals as distinct from Christian doctrines, insensibly gained strength. Thus the peculiar doctrines of Christianity went more and more out of sight; and, as might naturally have been expected, the moral system itself also, being robbed of that which should have supplied it with life and nutriment, began to wither and decay." (242) Without Christianity providing the foundation for the morals their 'life and nutrition' they will whither.

I believe we are seeing the fruits of this in North America. Whether you believe that Canada and the United States of America began as 'Christian nations' or not, I do not think it is possible to effectively refute the premise that both these countries were built on Christian principles and morals. But those days are quickly leaving us.

Wilberforce would instruct us that un-anchored morals, morals without a foundation in solid Christian doctrine, are better than no morals at all: "We should endeavour to tread back our steps. Every effort should be used to raise the depressed tone of public morals." (262) His practical suggestion is to attempt to raise the moral standard of society. However, he also cautions that "...fruitless will be all attempts to sustain, much more to revive, the fainting cause of morals, unless you can in some decree restore the prevalence of Evangelical Christianity." (264)

So we see the practical steps the author proposes to us. He would encourage us to maintain and build up the moral fiber of our society for the benefit of all. But more importantly, he would implore us to find a way of restoring 'Evangelical Christianity' to a prevalent place in our countries. And, as we have seen, Evangelical Christianity's central themes are "...the corruption of human nature, that our reconciliation to God by the atonement of Christ, and that the restoration of our primitive dignity by the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit..." (222-3).

If we take these suggestions as the steps we need to take, the we have our work cut out for us! God help us!