As humans continue to make the shift from economic animals to creative creatures, with beauty and possibility the new human currency, Brian Harris and Jon Bergmann argue that it is prudent to consider how we might provide the theological tools that enable people to navigate a world where work is optional, and leisure is our primary function.

Abstract

Has the conversation about re-faithing work arrived just in time for its extinction? Whilst the nobility of providing a theological framework for life and work is unquestionable, thinkers such as Yuval Noah Harari suggest that the 21st century will see the creation of a large “useless” class – a class of people of no use to the work force who have to find meaning for their life in a post-work world.

The technological revolution is well underway, its ubiquitous influence on life is now putting many professions at serious risk of becoming outdated and ineffective. Looking forward there are very few jobs that won’t be better served by computers who are more intelligent, more efficient and even more empathetic than their human creators. This paper explores the question of whether this is necessarily bad news.

As humans continue to make the shift from economic animals to creative creatures, with beauty and possibility the new human currency, this paper argues that it is prudent to consider how we might provide the theological tools that enable people to navigate a world where work is optional, and leisure is our primary function. The paper suggests that the key questions of this age of leisure relate primarily to the very nature of what it is to be human, what the new pursuits of being human might look like, and whether a theology of leisure will push us toward a more radical individualism, or give birth to a deeper and more genuine sense of community?

Biography

Dr Brian Harris was the Principal of Vose Seminary, Perth, Australia, where he also heads the Department of Ministry and Practice

Jon Bergmann was the Director of Vose Training, which runs ministry and leadership training in both WA and NSW.

To see the presentation slides, click below.

To listen to the audio, click below.