Shall We Dance?

Dancing Defined Webster Webster “the act or art of moving in measured step corresponding to the time of the music” “the act or art of moving in measured step corresponding to the time of the music” Encyclopedia Britannica Encyclopedia Britannica “Dancing consists in the rhythmical movement of any or all parts of the body in accordance with some scheme of individual or concerted action which is expressive of emotions or ideas.” “Dancing consists in the rhythmical movement of any or all parts of the body in accordance with some scheme of individual or concerted action which is expressive of emotions or ideas.”

Differing types of dance Types of Dance Types of Dance Social Dance/participation Social Dance/participation Historical, ballroom, folk, latin, swing, street, etc. Historical, ballroom, folk, latin, swing, street, etc. Concert Dance/performance Concert Dance/performance Historical, ballet, bellydance, 20 th century, etc. Historical, ballet, bellydance, 20 th century, etc. Competitive Dance Competitive Dance Ballroom, disco, Irish, Scottish country, etc. Ballroom, disco, Irish, Scottish country, etc. Resource: Wikipedia

Questions 1. Which dances are condemned? 2. How does one determine such?

How to approach Will not find a detailed list of dances which are condemned or allowed. Will not find a detailed list of dances which are condemned or allowed. Will not find a “Thou shall” or “Thou shall not” dance Will not find a “Thou shall” or “Thou shall not” dance Principles and categories Principles and categories Does this type of dance run contrary to principles of righteousness? Does this type of dance run contrary to principles of righteousness? Does this type of dance fall into specific categories of sin? Does this type of dance fall into specific categories of sin?

Does it hurt my influence? Matthew 5:13-16 Matthew 5:13-16 “salt of the earth” “salt of the earth” “light of the world” “light of the world”Test Attending this dance will: Attending this dance will:  help my influence.  hinder my influence.

Is it of value? Philippians 1:10 Philippians 1:10 “approve the things that are excellent” “approve the things that are excellent” “to be of considerable value, in view of having certain distinctive characteristics” Louw-Nida “to be of considerable value, in view of having certain distinctive characteristics” Louw-NidaTest My participation in this dance proves I understand what is truly valuable. My participation in this dance proves I understand what is truly valuable.  True  False

Classified as work of the flesh? Sensuality (Galatians 5:19) Sensuality (Galatians 5:19) Lasciviousness or Licentiousness Lasciviousness or Licentiousness “wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent physical movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.” “wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent physical movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.” “ (a) connected or preoccupied with bodily or sexual pleasures; voluptuous; (b) lustful; licentious; lewd” “ (a) connected or preoccupied with bodily or sexual pleasures; voluptuous; (b) lustful; licentious; lewd”

Test This dance enhances my: This dance enhances my:  sensuality  spirituality This dance stimulates me to greater: This dance stimulates me to greater:  sensuality  spirituality

Does it promote lusting? Matthew 5:27-28 Matthew 5:27-28 “committed adultery with her in his heart” “committed adultery with her in his heart” 2 Timothy 2:22 2 Timothy 2:22 “flee from youthful lusts” “flee from youthful lusts” Romans 13:14 Romans 13:14 “make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lust” “make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lust”

Testimony of Physicians “The modern dance is condemned precisely at this point. It is not wrong solely because it might lead one to the physical act of fornication, but it is sinful to the degree that is arouses unrestrained desires that cannot be fulfilled under present relations and conditions.” “The modern dance is condemned precisely at this point. It is not wrong solely because it might lead one to the physical act of fornication, but it is sinful to the degree that is arouses unrestrained desires that cannot be fulfilled under present relations and conditions.” Dr. Thomas C. Whitfield Dr. Thomas C. Whitfield

Testimony of Educators The modern dance is a “system of means, contrived with more than human ingenuity, to excite the instinct of sex action.” The modern dance is a “system of means, contrived with more than human ingenuity, to excite the instinct of sex action.” Professor W.C. Wilkerson Professor W.C. Wilkerson “Dancing is an exciting and pleasurable recreation as it affords a partial satisfaction to the sex impulse.” “Dancing is an exciting and pleasurable recreation as it affords a partial satisfaction to the sex impulse.” Dr. Lita Hollingsworth Dr. Lita Hollingsworth

Test This dance encourages me to: This dance encourages me to:  abstinence.  adultery. This dance helps me: This dance helps me:  flee youthful lusts.  follow youthful lusts. This dance, in regards to fleshly lusts, This dance, in regards to fleshly lusts,  provides for their fulfillment.  prevents their fulfillment.

Does it promote indecency? 1 Timothy 2: Timothy 2:9-10 “as is proper for women making a claim to godliness” “as is proper for women making a claim to godliness” 1 Peter 3:3-4 1 Peter 3:3-4 “the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit” “the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit”

Test Dancing encourages clothing which is: Dancing encourages clothing which is:  proper.  promiscuous. My dancing attire makes me feel: My dancing attire makes me feel:  spiritual.  sexy.

Final Questions Why do I want to go to dances? Why do I want to go to dances? What kind of people will be there? What kind of people will be there? What activities will be taking place there? What activities will be taking place there? Will my attendance or my absence help me convert others? Will my attendance or my absence help me convert others? Would I want Jesus to see me there? Would I want Jesus to see me there?

“Yeah, but can I dance?” Yes! If you can find a dance which: Yes! If you can find a dance which: Does not promote sensuality. Does not promote sensuality. Does not promote lusting. Does not promote lusting. Does not promote immodest clothing. Does not promote immodest clothing. Does not hurt your influence. Does not hurt your influence. Does promote what is truly valuable. Does promote what is truly valuable. No! If you can’t find the above. No! If you can’t find the above.

Conclusion Are you having doubts about dancing? Are you having doubts about dancing? Romans 14:23 Romans 14:23 Do you still believe there’s nothing wrong with attending dances? Do you still believe there’s nothing wrong with attending dances? Present a scriptural case Present a scriptural case Colossians 3:17 Colossians 3:17 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:15

Shall We Dance?

Invitation Not a Christian? Not a Christian? Hear the gospel – Romans 10:17 Hear the gospel – Romans 10:17 Believe – John 8:24 Believe – John 8:24 Repent – Luke 13:3 Repent – Luke 13:3 Confess – Romans 10:10 Confess – Romans 10:10 Be Baptized – Acts 22:16 Be Baptized – Acts 22:16 Not a faithful Christian? Not a faithful Christian? Confess – 1 John 1:9 Confess – 1 John 1:9 Repent and pray – Acts 8:22 Repent and pray – Acts 8:22

A Brief Biblical History Of Dancing

Dancing in the Old Testament Rejoicing Rejoicing Exodus 15:20-21 Exodus 15:20-21 Judges 11:34 Judges 11:34 1 Samuel 18:6 (also 21:11; 29:5) 1 Samuel 18:6 (also 21:11; 29:5) 2 Samuel 6:12-14; 1 Chronicles 15: Samuel 6:12-14; 1 Chronicles 15:25-29 Psalm 30:11 Psalm 30:11 Praise Praise Psalm 149:3; 150:4 Psalm 149:3; 150:4

Dancing in the Old Testament Observations Observations Occurred after extraordinary deliverances, triumphs or favors bestowed by God. Occurred after extraordinary deliverances, triumphs or favors bestowed by God. An expression of joy and gratitude unto God. An expression of joy and gratitude unto God. Not mixed (men and women) dancing. Not mixed (men and women) dancing. Not for amusement, pleasure, exercise, etc. Not for amusement, pleasure, exercise, etc.

Dancing in the Old Testament Sensual Sensual Exodus 32:19-26 Exodus 32:19-26 Observations Observations The people were “out of control” verse 25 The people were “out of control” verse 25 “let go, let loose, people, i.e. remove restraint from them” “let go, let loose, people, i.e. remove restraint from them” “to let loose in the sense of to let run wild” “to let loose in the sense of to let run wild”

Dancing in the New Testament Rejoicing Rejoicing Luke 15:25 Luke 15:25 Parable Parable Matthew 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35 Matthew 11:16-19; Luke 7:31-35 Sensual Sensual Mark 6:21-28; Matthew 14:6-11 Mark 6:21-28; Matthew 14:6-11

Shall WE Dance? Testimony from the world

Testimony of Physicians “The modern dance is the fine art of covering with music, indelicate, immodest and oft times indecent attitudes and postures between men and women. It is too bad for reformation. Its only remedy is extermination.” “The modern dance is the fine art of covering with music, indelicate, immodest and oft times indecent attitudes and postures between men and women. It is too bad for reformation. Its only remedy is extermination.” Dr. A.C. Dixon Dr. A.C. Dixon

Testimony of Physicians “Among those who dance it is noteworthy that very few girls spend much time dancing with other girls. Neither do men dance very much with their own wives, nor brothers with their own sisters... The secret of the popularity of dancing (or is it a secret?) is the exciting, sexual stimulation resulting from the close embrace of male and female, whether it be music in dancing or without music in petting and necking.” “Among those who dance it is noteworthy that very few girls spend much time dancing with other girls. Neither do men dance very much with their own wives, nor brothers with their own sisters... The secret of the popularity of dancing (or is it a secret?) is the exciting, sexual stimulation resulting from the close embrace of male and female, whether it be music in dancing or without music in petting and necking.” Dr. J.P. Gibson Dr. J.P. Gibson

Testimony of Publications “Once again this spring, in villages and sprawling cities, millions of teens are undergoing the ritual romance, panic, thrills and let-downs of that one special night... And they all spend hours before mirrors primping for the oh-so-slow dance to Endless Love.” “Once again this spring, in villages and sprawling cities, millions of teens are undergoing the ritual romance, panic, thrills and let-downs of that one special night... And they all spend hours before mirrors primping for the oh-so-slow dance to Endless Love.” People Weekly People Weekly

Testimony of Fashion Designers “For the first time I have done away with corsets, even for dance dresses. I have often heard men complain that in dancing they couldn’t feel a living form under the woman’s corsets.” “For the first time I have done away with corsets, even for dance dresses. I have often heard men complain that in dancing they couldn’t feel a living form under the woman’s corsets.” Christian Dior Christian Dior

Testimony of Preachers “As one ‘who formerly could really dance.’ Now as a minister, there is no way I could get behind the pulpit and tell young people it is OK to wiggle their bodies on a dance floor... If there is a young girl on the dance floor wiggling, trying to entice a young man, would a parent want to see their son enticed that way?” “As one ‘who formerly could really dance.’ Now as a minister, there is no way I could get behind the pulpit and tell young people it is OK to wiggle their bodies on a dance floor... If there is a young girl on the dance floor wiggling, trying to entice a young man, would a parent want to see their son enticed that way?” David Mirchett, Pentecostal Church David Mirchett, Pentecostal Church

Conclusion from our Testimony Dancing is dangerous. Dancing is dangerous. Sexually enticing. Sexually enticing. Sexually stimulating. Sexually stimulating. Indecent attitudes, movements, touching. Indecent attitudes, movements, touching. If worldly people see a danger in dancing shouldn’t Christians? If worldly people see a danger in dancing shouldn’t Christians? Should Christians do that which worldly people warn against? Should Christians do that which worldly people warn against? Remember 1 Corinthians 5:1 Remember 1 Corinthians 5:1

Is It Wrong To Dance? Testimony from the scriptures