Biblical View of Dancing

1
Biblical View of Dancing

• Theme Knowing when dancing is a sin and when it
  isnt.
• Ex. 1520-21

2
Introduction

• One of the most popular works of the flesh
  today is the dancing found across most of our
  nations high school gyms, clubs, and hotel
  ball-rooms.
• Many types of our current social dances are
  associated with lewd descriptions.
• These are the types of dances some Christians
  associate with at school related dances,
  weddings, or other events.

3
Introduction

• Among professed believers are a broad spectrum of
  views
• Some would dance for Jesus and point to
  scriptures found in the Bible as authority for
  such activity.
• Others label any and all dancing sinful.
• Still, others may not include any and all forms
  of dancing as a sin, but do not show what makes a
  dance sinful or not.

4
Introduction

• These divergent views has resulted in the
  confusion among many Christians wondering if and
  when dancing is a sin.
• In this lesson we shall
• Look at what the scriptures reveal about dancing.
• Observe views espoused by man.
• Show what and/or when dancing sinful.

5
What The Scriptures Reveal About Dancing

• Words in Greek
• Orcheo Probably originally signified to lift up,
  as of the feet hence, to leap with regularity of
  motion.
• Choros a dance
• Words in Hebrew
• Raqad to skip about.
• Machol a dance.
• The definitions do not imply lewd or wholesome
  movementsit is simply a description of movement.

6
What The Scriptures Reveal About Dancing

• It was associated with worship/joy.
• Praising God with song and dance. Ex. 1520 Ps.
  1493 (1 Sam. 186)
• Idolatrous worship. Ex. 3219 1Ki. 1826
• During the yearly feast in Shiloh. Judg. 2121

7
What The Scriptures Reveal About Dancing

• Means of entertainment and/or celebration. Matt.
  146 (cp. Mk. 622) Lk. 1524-25
• The Greek words do not tell us whether the dance
  was sensual or not.
• The context surrounding the events, however,
  generally imply whether the event was lascivious
  or not.
• So, how can we know for sure whether or not a
  dance is sinful or not, or acceptable or not?

8
Principles of TruthRegarding Dancing

• Regarding worship
• Fact, there was dancing during the O.T. (as were
  the use of instruments for music).
• Under the N.T. the only revealed form of worship
  (in light of what has been discussed) is singing.
  1 Cor. 1415b Col. 316 Eph. 519
• In other words, there is no authority revealed
  for dancing (like instrumental music) as there is
  for singing.

9
Principles of TruthRegarding Dancing

• Regarding the expression of joy.
• There are occasions when one will express joy in
  the form of dance.
• There is not sin in jumping, twirling, and
  movements of the limbs in an expression of joy.
• Occasions include (but not limited to) receiving
  of a gift, victory or celebration, greetings, etc.

10
Principles of TruthRegarding Dancing

• Regarding entertainment
• Some dances still used in remote parts of the
  world are used for a means of story telling.
• Most have evolved from a historical to
  entertaining fashion still with stories told
  Indian, Hawaiian, African, Eskimo, etc.
• Other dances are in conjunction with moves or an
  environment is that wholly sinful.

11
Issues that CauseDancing to be Sinful

• Movements
• If the movements are modest, then the dance
  cannot be labeled as sinful, but as acceptable.
• If the movements are suggestive, then it fits the
  descriptions below
• Uncleanness the impurity of lustful, luxurious,
  profligate living.
• Lasciviousness unbridled lust, excess,
  licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness,
  outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence.

12
Issues that CauseDancing to be Sinful

• Peripheral Issues
• Clothing If immodest, then the sin lies not in
  the dance (if it is authorized), but the
  clothing.
• Environment If the environment is ungodly, then
  the sin lies not in the dance (if it is
  authorized), but in the environment.

13
Issues that CauseDancing to be Sinful

• Therefore
• The word itself does not dictate whether it (the
  dance) is sinful.
• The context demands if it is sinful or not
• Are the movements suggestive (immoral)?
• Are there peripheral issues related to the dance
  (modesty, environment)?
• If the dance is immodest, then the dance it is
  condemned by God as a work of the flesh. cp.
  Gal. 519

14
Conclusion

• Many dances of todays modern dancing falls
  under the realm of lascivious behavior, and is
  therefore sinful.
• Let us not forget, however, that we have no
  authority to condemn all dancing as sinful,
  when there are diverse types of dancing that are
  perfectly fine when such is bound within the
  realm of truth.