Leisure: The Basis of Culture
Chapter V

Briefly reviewing chapter four, I remind myself that Pieper listed four movements through which a threatened value (leisure) is seeking to regain strength:

1)Art for art's sake,

2)Traditionalism,

3)Liberal Arts Education,

4)Humanism.

He spends the better part of the chapter debunking secular humanism by pointing out its specious economic value.

None of them are enough.



Now in Chapter V, we are reading the piece de resistance, for which we've all been waiting. Pieper declares that nothing need be founded or arranged.

He reminds us that the ultimate solution lies outside the range of our responsible, voluntary action.

He refers us to divine worship.

Because worship is at the heart of revitalizing the nature of leisure AND leisure must be an upright pillar in the cultural foundation, we must draw on that innermost root that lies outside the range of responsible, voluntary action.

Basically, spiritual revival is Pieper's prescription for curing the ills of a diseased society. I concur.

I wonder though, if we must hope for something like America's Great Awakening, or if a minority (remnant) will carry the harmony. I'm not really sure to which signs of reawakening Pieper is referring in his essay, but clearly fifty years later, his countrymen did not take his advice.


Europe does not know God.

Pieper himself was the product of a rigorous, classical education, having attended the most prestigious school in his country. So, he recognizes that that type of education is not the true answer; nor the type of university education that is career training. He even derides the propaganda promoted by the secular humanists who want to establish holidays without the gods, recreating society according to man.

Sticking to his thesis, Pieper continues to direct us to the worship of the living God as the source of leisure. He even describes it economically when he explains that every aspect of the leisured person's daily living is sacrificial and creative of a capital wealth that can support and sustain community.

Pieper's language speaks to me.

I understand only because the Lord has regenerated my heart, giving me spiritual eyes and ears.

By way of application I can examine my activities in light of Pieper's definition of leisure. Broadly dividing my 24 hours into three categories: work (school), sleep, and discretionary, I understand how to measure them with leisure's yardstick. Completing each day brings me closer to the highlight of days, that recurring feast day called the Sabbath. Providentially, this week's sermon addressed laziness (sloth/acedia).

The Lord gives me refreshing sleep. He's teaching me how to be a helpmeet. He's giving me confidence to rear our children in His nurture and admonition. He governs my discretionary hours even when it may appear to others that I am wasting time.

With loving care, I repeat my days with holy persistence.

I'm cultivating through the seasons.

I'm shepherding with hope.

I'm acting philosophically.


My prayer is that you can, too.