DeepSummary
The episode begins with Fr. Gregory Pine addressing the idea that Christians should avoid having fun or feeling guilty about it, as human life is a serious endeavor with the goal of reaching Heaven. He argues that while this perspective has some truth, it is ultimately misguided as it fails to understand the purpose of human life. Fr. Pine explains that humans are both spiritual and bodily beings, and this duality creates a certain "silliness" and complexity that is part of the human experience.
Fr. Pine asserts that play, fun, and enjoyment are integral to human flourishing. He cites St. Thomas Aquinas, who includes virtues related to play and refreshment, such as decency and modesty, alongside more traditionally recognized virtues like temperance and justice. Aquinas sees play as a necessary condiment to life, refreshing the soul and preventing burnout or excessive seriousness.
Fr. Pine concludes that while Christians should maintain a sense of commitment to their spiritual goals, they should also embrace the human need for recreation and levity. Pleasure, playfulness, and enjoyment are not antithetical to the Christian life but are part of living a fully human, virtuous existence oriented towards God.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Christians should not feel guilty about having fun or indulging in enjoyment, as play and recreation are virtuous aspects of the human experience according to St. Thomas Aquinas.
- Excessive seriousness and gravity can lead to spiritual burnout, so levity through laughter and play serves to refresh the soul.
- While pursuing spiritual goals, Christians must also embrace the innate "silliness" of being both spiritual and bodily beings.
- Virtues related to enjoyment like decency and modesty are important for a balanced, fully human life.
- Pleasure should be sought in moderation, without indecent or unethical pursuits and while maintaining a fundamental sense of moral commitment.
- Play acts as a "condiment" to flavor life rather than distract from it, enhancing humanity's experience rather than undermining it.
- Embracing recreation allows Christians to live a more livable, truly human existence oriented towards God.
- Aquinas saw play as akin to sleep and exercise - a natural need for spiritual refreshment.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So we should engage with delightful things which fit and which animate and which encourage and which unburden.“ by Fr. Gregory Pine
- “So I think, like, yeah, we're not supposed to seek pleasure in indecent things or in, you know, hurtful things. We're not supposed to lose an appropriate sense of seriousness, a kind of gravity of soul that commits us to the task.“ by Fr. Gregory Pine
- “And he says, yeah, like, as sleep and exercise are for the refreshment of the body. So play is for the refreshment of the soul, for the refreshment of the spirit, which I find to be especially beautiful.“ by Fr. Gregory Pine
Entities
Person
Service
Organization
Podcast
Book
Product
Episode Information
Pints With Aquinas
Matt Fradd
5/5/24
In this Episode Father talks about whether Christians can have fun. If human life is serious, and we have a serious task is fun nonsensical indulgence?
🟣 Join Us on Locals (before we get banned on YT): https://mattfradd.locals.com/
📖 Fr. Pine's Book: https://bit.ly/3lEsP8F
🖥️ Website: https://pintswithaquinas.com/
🟢 Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/pintswithaquinas
👕 Merch: https://shop.pintswithaquinas.com
🚫 FREE 21 Day Detox From Porn Course: https://www.strive21.com/
🔵 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattfradd
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattfradd