In Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster writes of disciplined grace as a way to live consciously:
In this regard it would be proper to speak of [spiritual disciplines as] “the path of disciplined grace.” It is “grace” because it is free; it is “disciplined” because there is something for us to do. In The Cost of Discipleship Dietrich Bonhoeffer makes it clear that grace is free, but it is not cheap. The grace of God is unearned and unearnable, but if we ever expect to grow in grace, we must pay the price of a consciously chosen course of action which involves both the individual and group life.
In response to the question of the harm in “mindless” fun, I respond that, since as Christians we were bought at a price, our time is not our own and should be used effectively — as opposed to efficiently — for God’s glory.
That’s not to say there is no place for fun or relaxation in the Christian life. But this we must do in the context of conscious living: that is, we should relax not for lack of other things to do or excessive fun for its own sake, but instead to restore ourselves to continue our purposes.
This brings us back to our original point. Our life is not our own. We were bought at a price. Everything is permissible but not beneficial. Therefore, don’t shoot for the minimum to just get by: shoot for excellence. Use your talents given to you as effectively as you can.
7 Comments
May 15, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Ah, I was thinking of posting something more detailed about leisure and recreation versus entertainment and the proportional need for each. Essentially, what we need more for rest than entertainment is leisure and recreation, even some very mind-engaging activities, despite our impression that our brains are fried and can’t take more.
Even for pleasure reading, then, just as learning’s neither truly for its own sake nor entirely for the sake of its material benefits, it should feed the soul with something hearty enough to make a solid food meal, not just milk, for the believer.
May 15, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Proportional need for both is a good idea, though personally, I would like to see a post defining what leisure is and what recreation is and ways to start engaging in both.
I’ve heard you talk about this before and I would be eager to read an explanation about the two and how they differ, good Epeuthutebetes.
May 16, 2008 at 7:28 am
I think the more important distinction’s between them and entertainment, but I don’t know of any academic literature that differentiates them based on results.
May 17, 2008 at 3:41 am
interesting. but i think you know my thoughts on this already.
May 19, 2008 at 6:25 am
Why interesting?
May 19, 2008 at 6:41 am
because i can see tim’s reasoning for why he thinks mindless fun is dumb.
May 19, 2008 at 7:34 am
So what are its merits and demerits, and which leads to a more fruitful life?