A Great Case Against Dancing...

by Howard R. Horton

in Christian Bible Teacher, July 1992

You do not have to put forth much effort to see the effects of the dance in our society. Practically everything a child can be interested in is promoted by sports or dancing. We, as Christian parents, preachers, elders, and teachers, are going to have to reinforce some basics which have, in some places, almost become nonexistent.

We need to teach our children that dancing caused a lustful king to make an oath which caused John the Baptist to be murdered (This story is found in Matthew 14:1-2; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9). In this story, we find that Herodias put forth her own daughter to be a dancer in front of revelling men! Her own daughter! What kind of mother would do such a thing? And a second question: What kind of daughter would want to do so?

The Bible records that a princess was once asked to "show off" herself in front of her husband and some other men. She flatly refused; she said, "No!" This wonderful example of strong virtue and goodness is found in Esther 1:9ff. Here is a queen (Vashti) who was not only beautiful on the outside, but she was beautiful on the inside.

So, the daughter of Herodias did her dance, she did "her thing." The passions and lust of Herod were brought to a seething boil, and he made one of the most stupid oaths in the Bible. He said, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom" (Mark 6:23). Well, there you have it. An oath with no limit (up to half of Herod's kingdom). Herod gave this dancer "carte blanche!" All because he was drinking and eyeing a dancing female! Well, you know the "rest of the story." Herod, lest he be shamed by not keeping his oath, honored the terrible request of the girl (as instructed by her mother, Matthew 14:8) and John the Baptist was beheaded.

Former F.B.I. Director, J. Edgar Hoover, once stated that the dance was the main cause of some crimes in the United States. And, as a former narcotics and vice officer, I, too, can state the same.

Brother Johnny Ramsey, in one of his fine sermons, reported that while he was a young boy growing up in Texas, he saw some people dancing who were in a soundproof room. Thus, he saw them embracing each other, but there was no sound! Can you imagine the scene which was before him? Men, dancing with other men's wives, and wives dancing with other women's husbands, with no sound. When you take away the sound, what do you have? You have people embracing and holding someone other than their own wives (Talk about an accident looking to happen!).

It is also true that the words "licentiousness" and "lasciviousness" also affects a Christian's outlook on dancing. "Lasciviousness," according to Vine's Dictionary, "denotes excess, licentiousness, absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness;..." (page 650). It is also true that this word means, "As filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females" (Thayer's Greek- English Lexicon, pp., 279-380). Thus, one can readily see that dancing, especially today's dancing, is not conduct befitting someone who is supposed to be imitating the life of Jesus Christ.

Dancing! It caused a king to make an oath, which he was exceedingly sorry about. That oath cost the life of one of the greatest men who had ever walked this earth. Thus, a Christian woman, who wants to help those who are around her in obtaining heaven, would not involve herself in such conduct. And, it is also true for the males of this land, as well. If we are interested, truly interested in all having a chance to go to heaven, we would not ask anyone to a dance; and would not involve ourselves in that kind of activity, as well.

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