A Theology of Play

AMERICANS are having difficulty learning, as a society, how to play. Although work hours are shorter than a century ago, Americans fail to understand the value of play. Hard work, with sufficient time off for vacations and recreation, seems to be the formula for meaningful life. But, increased leisure seems to pose a threat. We have a continuing inability to escape our compulsion to work.

Christians have discovered the need for play. In a world full of ulcers and high blood pressure, play has become important. However, Americans still seem unsuited to authentic play. Either we work at work, or we work at play.

In creation God played meaningfully with His own possibilities. And, then He rested - or played - as a part of the creation process. Israel used the Sabbath as a day of "play" to qualify their working world and to realize that life is a gift - as well as a task. The Sabbath was viewed as having ethical implications: all creation was in travail and needed recreation.

We are called to our work, but we also are called to refrain from work - to play. Play, too, is a gift from God! Play is not viewed as an independent activity, but rather under the tyranny of our work mentality. The Bible teaches people to take pleasure in all they do.

We should enjoy work, and give ourselves wholly to all we do. We should work, and then we should play - and do so playfully! Work dominant models have destroyed our personhood. Man must seek to re-discover the sacred in the common things of life. We must live now - as if we are playing.

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Excerpts taken from lectures by Robert K. Johnson