May I Have This Dance?
By John Hendrix

Over the years I have heard many a debate on the question of dancing. There are brethren that condone dancing, those who abhor it and some who say that it depends upon the type of dance (For example, square dancing or disco dancing?). Unfortunately, I rarely hear brethren focusing on the true, Biblical, part of the question about dancing.

Let us, up front, admit that dancing gets a rather favorable review in the Old Testament: for example when Miriam danced after the Israelites crossed Jordan (Ex 15:20) and David danced when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6:16). When all the facts are in, the New Testament is silent about dancing. Why, we are asked, is there all this furor over a topic that does not even receive mention in the New Testament? Might I suggest an answer? Dancing has never been the problem. We have been caught in a word-game for over fifty years on this topic. The sin does not follow the ballroom dance, the square dance, the disco dance, touchdown dance, or any other. I cannot approve of or disapprove of any by category if I am to stick close to the scriptures, because the Bible does not deal with dancing as a practice. The sin is not unchaperoned association of girls and boys, the tempo of the music, or even the contact between a boy and a girl. I do not know of a person who teaches that it is always wrong for girls and boys to be together in the same room - though it may often be a bad idea.

I do not know of a person who thinks that "The Flight of the Bumblebee" has a sinful tempo. I do not know of a person who thinks a girl and boy can never hold hands without sinning. The problem Christians have is not dancing, but lasciviousness and immodesty. I know that the reader understands what I am writing. Sexual attraction is not difficult to understand.

The human body - with all of its exciting potentials - has stayed pretty much the same as when the Lord created it. And the Lord speaks against behavior that engenders sin of the heart and body:

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21) It is not moving to the beat of a drum, but moving to the beat of Satan that is wrong. Sin happens - independent of the music being played - when hips sway or gyrate, skirts fly, unchaste contact occurs, indecent clothing is worn, this or that part of the body is put in or taken out and we do the hokey pokey and turn ourselves around - That is what the sin is all about. When this happens in the presence of music it is sinful. When this happens in the absence of music it is sinful. (Brother Pete McKee notes the problem of "couch dancing" - the same moves that need no music.) Simply put, the conscientious Christian must conduct himself or herself in such a way as to give the adversary no opportunities. Dress modestly and carry yourself modestly. If someone sins by looking at you, be sure that you share none of the blame. I will plainly state that rare indeed is the dance that passes this test.

Now we might as well turn to the issue of attendance at a dance. May I go to the homecoming dance or the Prom dance as long as I don't participate in anything wrong? May I go to a night club as long as I do not drink?

We see the problem here is not what you are doing, but what message you are sending. Do you remember what Paul said about meats offered to idols? "For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ." (1 Cor 8:10-12) Is it not fair and, even, reasonable for people to assume that I approve of the excesses in a club when I go and mingle with the crowds? Then, is it not fair and, even, reasonable for people to assume that I approve of the excesses at Proms and such like when I go and mingle there? A Prom is harmless, some may protest. I am sorry, but the argument carries no weight. The mobilization of this "Prom Promise" campaign by people outside of Christ's body is more than enough evidence of the problems that go hand-in-hand with Proms. Do not let Satan confuse you with a fog of false logic. Flee fornication and its many friends.