Leisure: A Theological and Psychological Inquiry
Dan Ata Owusu
Issue: Vol. 11 No. 12 2025 Issue Article 1 pp. 586 – 602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.202511121 Published online 11th December, 2025.
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This paper examines the theological and psychological aspects of leisure to illustrate its value in promoting human prosperity, spiritual rejuvenation, inner peace and mental well-being. It seeks to create a unified paradigm that merges biblical theology with the modern psychological theory to guide the contemporary Christian practice and academic thought. The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach to research using a qualitative approach that integrates biblical interpretation, theological reflection, and psychological analysis. Its main sources of data are Scripture, works of the prominent theologians and the current psychological studies. The paper delves into the biblical principles of leisure manifested in Sabbath, holy festivals, prayer and fellowship. It also includes psychological implications suggesting the importance of leisure to resilience building, identity development, and improved well-being. The paper provides effective suggestions on how Christian communities and individuals can be involved in areas of deliberate rest, meditative prayer, shared hospitality and celebratory patterns that can lead to spiritual and psychological recovery. The significance of this research lies in its ability to connect theology and psychology by offering a comprehensive model of leisure that is both spiritually significant and psychologically beneficial. It enhances scholarship by illustrating the interplay between theological concepts and psychological theories in conceptualising leisure as a fundamental component of Christian discipleship, pastoral care, and personal development.
Keywords: Sabbath, Human Flourishing, Spiritual Renewal, Self-Determination Theory, Flow Theory.
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Dan Ata Owusu is a student pursuing PhD in Systematic Theology at the Adventist University of Africa, Kenya.
Owusu, Dan Ata. “Leisure: A Theological and Psychological Inquiry.” E-Journal of Religious and Theological Studies 11, no.12(2025): 586 – 602. https://doi.org/10.38159/erats.202511121.
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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