From interacting with other Christians, I have found there is not much that a Christian is permitted to do, aside from a couple basic activities. Christians are very concerned, of course, with offending God so we have to be super careful not to do anything sinful, right? So that really limits what we can - and cannot - do for activities and recreation.
For instance, we could start with a list of prohibitions that many Christians condemn, some are more obvious than others. But in general, I have heard the following is off-limits: Movies, TV, video games, going to the beach / coed swimming, dancing, dating, physical touch before the wedding ceremony, many secular books (especially anything related to any "non-Christian" themes, which could be almost anything), drinking, going to parties, trying to meet people of the opposite sex, anything related to going to "sinful" places (your mileage may vary where this is exactly), listening to music (UNLESS it is gospel or hymn music - none of that contemporary "Christian" music or rock - and you can forget about secular music), martial arts is of the devil and too much exercise is sinful because it leads to vanity and "bodily exercise profiteth little" saith the Scriptures, and probably a whole lot of other things I'm not thinking of at the moment.
So, the question is, what is left that the Christian CAN partake of, without being "spotted with the world"? Not much. Obviously, the believer should be working at least 40 hours per week, minimum. This will keep him out of trouble for the most part. After this, and time spent sleeping, bathing, etc. he won't have that much spare time, considering he must be at church on Sundays and midweek services. He must also be spending a good portion of his time helping out with various ministries at church, which would eat up some more free time he might have. He should most likely be out evangelising as well. But what is he allowed to do with the rest of his time?
Well, again, aside from extensively reading the bible - and pro-Christian, church proscribed literature only - he is going to obviously be praying, but that doesn't take up too much time, for most. So there are basically only two activities that the believer is allowed to do, as far as most Christians agree: He will spend much of his time EATING and watching or playing SPORTS. I have rarely met a Christian who dares condemn the last two sanctuaries of Christian hobbies, which are consuming food (or preparing it, this is often gender specific) and watching (or playing sometimes) sports.
This would explain why many Christians I know in real life are rather large physically (eating is one God-approved activity), and why many are so excited about "the big game" after church on Sunday afternoons, etc.
There's not a lot for Christians to do with their spare time for recreation, that isn't sinful.
For instance, we could start with a list of prohibitions that many Christians condemn, some are more obvious than others. But in general, I have heard the following is off-limits: Movies, TV, video games, going to the beach / coed swimming, dancing, dating, physical touch before the wedding ceremony, many secular books (especially anything related to any "non-Christian" themes, which could be almost anything), drinking, going to parties, trying to meet people of the opposite sex, anything related to going to "sinful" places (your mileage may vary where this is exactly), listening to music (UNLESS it is gospel or hymn music - none of that contemporary "Christian" music or rock - and you can forget about secular music), martial arts is of the devil and too much exercise is sinful because it leads to vanity and "bodily exercise profiteth little" saith the Scriptures, and probably a whole lot of other things I'm not thinking of at the moment.
So, the question is, what is left that the Christian CAN partake of, without being "spotted with the world"? Not much. Obviously, the believer should be working at least 40 hours per week, minimum. This will keep him out of trouble for the most part. After this, and time spent sleeping, bathing, etc. he won't have that much spare time, considering he must be at church on Sundays and midweek services. He must also be spending a good portion of his time helping out with various ministries at church, which would eat up some more free time he might have. He should most likely be out evangelising as well. But what is he allowed to do with the rest of his time?
Well, again, aside from extensively reading the bible - and pro-Christian, church proscribed literature only - he is going to obviously be praying, but that doesn't take up too much time, for most. So there are basically only two activities that the believer is allowed to do, as far as most Christians agree: He will spend much of his time EATING and watching or playing SPORTS. I have rarely met a Christian who dares condemn the last two sanctuaries of Christian hobbies, which are consuming food (or preparing it, this is often gender specific) and watching (or playing sometimes) sports.
This would explain why many Christians I know in real life are rather large physically (eating is one God-approved activity), and why many are so excited about "the big game" after church on Sunday afternoons, etc.
There's not a lot for Christians to do with their spare time for recreation, that isn't sinful.
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