Dancing

[kevinmiller]

This was something that I was thinking about today. I came across some videos on youtube of Christians doing "body worship," which is named correctly since it is usually focused on the worship and glorification of the body and most often accompanied by rock music. However, the Bible does say, "praise him with the timbrel and dance." There aren't many verses on dance in Scripture and extremely few in the New Testament, half of which are found in the girl dancing before Herod. It does seem, though, that God approves of dancing to glorify Him. Obviously, most dances that claim to worship Him today are just a part of the secularization of Christianity.

So, my question is, How can we glorify God through dance in an age of rock n' roll Christianity?

[Anon]

I would see Biblical dancing as more of a jumping and skipping and hopping for joy rather than the undulations of modern dancing.

[kevinmiller]

I would see Biblical dancing as more of a jumping and skipping and hopping for joy rather than the undulations of modern dancing.

Looking at the Greek word behind the word "dance" in the Psalms, the Strong's gives the definition, "a round dance." The word "dance" in the passage where David danced before the Lord, the Strong's says a "twirl dance."

Obviously, the dancing wasn't, in any way, sensual. When people would ask me about dancing in Scripture, I would answer the same way, "It isn't the same as the modern dance that is prevalent today." While that is still true, it doesn't answer the question, What IS Godly dancing and how can we use it to God's glory?

[pneu-engine]

I don't see anywhere in the New Testament early church where this was commanded. I would just as soon exclude it altogether.

[Bakershalfdozen]

Looking at the Greek word behind the word "dance" in the Psalms, the Strong's gives the definition, "a round dance." The word "dance" in the passage where David danced before the Lord, the Strong's says a "twirl dance."

Obviously, the dancing wasn't, in any way, sensual. When people would ask me about dancing in Scripture, I would answer the same way, "It isn't the same as the modern dance that is prevalent today." While that is still true, it doesn't answer the question, What IS Godly dancing and how can we use it to God's glory?

That is my view too. "Dancing" back then isn't the same as "dancing" now. Ever seen Fiddler on the Roof or another movie about old Jewish customs? The men "dance" (jump, if you will) around in a circle with their arms over each other's shoulders. The young women and girls hold hands and do basically the same thing. I don't know how something like this would incorporate into our society today but if a group can pull this off and worship the Lord through it, w/o it being sensual, then it would be ok. Like I said though, it would be difficult in light of our modern understanding of dance.

[kevinmiller]

I understand that it wasn't commanded in the New Testament, but it doesn't mean that God isn't pleased with it.

Yep, I've seen Fiddler on the Roof a few times. Good movie. :thumb
And I agree with you that it would be okay if we could dance in a non-sensual manner. I don't know that it has to be a Jewish dance though. It seems like you could somehow apply the same principles of those early Jewish dances to a modern version of dance. There are many folk dances even in America that were practiced years ago that did not have any sensual moves in them, for example. I've seen a traditional Korean dance used in worship, howbeit to rock music, that was not sensual. Should conservative dance be something that we should be considering for praise in modern conservative Christian churches?

[Anon]

I kind of like folk and square dancing and stuff (not personally though) but at the same time you also have to make sure it follows "good for a man not to touch a woman" as well as keeping it non sensual.

[kevinmiller]

Do you think that conservative dance is something that we can use in churches today?

Do you believe that it is appropriate for a man to dance with his wife?

[HappyChristian]

Personally, I think because of the connotation of dancing today, it shouldn't be used . My younger brother went to a high school that incorporated dance as worship during his senior year. The little kids performed during his graduation. They were cute, but I didn't see anything spiritual about it.

If a man and his wife want to dance, I don't think there's anything wrong with that - but I wouldn't do it in public.

[Anon]

Do you think that conservative dance is something that we can use in churches today?

Do you believe that it is appropriate for a man to dance with his wife?

1. I don't see the need and think in our day it would be nearly impossible to keep it Biblical.

2. With the right kind of music, of course.

[kevinmiller]

Definitely agree with #2. :thumb

[SimplyComplex]

1. I don't see the need and think in our day it would be nearly impossible to keep it Biblical.

ditto... I don't know if we could ever use it in our churches or fellowships today because of how messed up our society is...

I'm just thinking out loud here, since I haven't really thought it out much, but as a girl (don't think guys really do this) if I'm really happy or excited sometimes I just "twirl". Just stretch out your arms, throw your head back, and start spinning. Thats sorta a dance isn't it? Your just so full of joy you feel like your going to burst and you express it that way... If the joy was over something God had done, and you added a timbrel would that be similar to what the women did in the old testament when they were celebrating? Just a thought....

[matie-k]

We're working on brain-washing our two year old to think dancing is that Jewish twirling/jumping sort of thing (the "David dance") along with good praise music to God and praising Him ourselves. I'm sure the world will "re-learn" her soon enough! At this point though, she loves to dance like that and I hope she'll keep up with it (in private) when she really learns what true joy in Christ is!

[HappyChristian]

if I'm really happy or excited sometimes I just "twirl". Just stretch out your arms, throw your head back, and start spinning.

Yes, I think this is more typical of girls then guys, and I do think it's equivalent to the idea of dancing before the Lord - especially if there is joy in your heart for God and His wondrousness to us. Guys do it, too, only a little different. My uncle and my dad both do a little "soft-shoe" kind of hooray thing (well, my uncle's walking the streets of gold now, but he used to) when they get excited. I remember my uncle doing that, and looking at me and saying that's what David did when he danced before the Lord. It wasn't a sensual thing like most dancing today. It was a leaping and praising to God (kinda like the man at the gate Beautiful in Acts after he got saved...he went walking and leaping and praising God).

Katie - you keep on teaching that precious little one to have the joy of the Lord, and she won't be interested in the world's dances! :thumb

[zealyouthguy]

"The Hills are alive with the sound of...." kind of twirling? :Green