From: Biblical Ethics, the Sixth Annual Shenandoah Lectures, Terry M. Hightower, Editor, pp. 459-461

DANCING

by Jackie Stearsman

The ethical code of Christianity came from God and not from men. All moral questions must be tested by the revealed standard (Rom 12:1-2; Col 3:1-17; 1 John 2:15-17; Gal 5:19-21; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Rom 8:1-17).

THE MIND OF THE FLESH IS DEATH

In Romans 8 Paul discusses "the mind of the flesh" as contrasted with the "mind of the spirit." The "mind of the flesh" is that attitude or disposition out of which one seeks to bring about satisfaction of unlawful desires of the flesh. It is that attitude which produces the "works of the flesh" (Gal 5:19-21). Paul explains that the "mind of the flesh is death." This is spiritual death. He stresses that the "mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God." Paul says, "...and they that are in the flesh" [that is, those who have the mind of the flesh] "cannot please God." Anything and everythign which appeals to the unlawful desires of the flesh is sin. The Christian cannot and will not (if he is faithful to Christ, JMS), participate in such. [1]

DANCING IS A WORK OF THE FLESH

In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul discusses the works of the flesh. In this discussion three words arrest our attention:

• (1) aselgeia--mentioned in Galatians 5:19 and rendered in English by the words "lasciviousness" (KJV AND ASV) and "licentiousness" (RSV) is shown in Greek lexicons to be closely related to sensuality and sexual excesses. [2] Thayer states that it is associated with "filthy words, indecent bodily movement, unchaste handling of males and females, etc." [3] One guilty of lascivious conduct must repent of it (2 Cor 12:21) and if he persists in it will not be a part of the kingdom of God (Gal 5:21). No one can successfully deny that dancing is associated with sensuality and sexual excess. No one can successfully deny that dancing is indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females set to music, be it modern or whatever. Therefore, one cannot continue in the practice of dancing and be pleasing ot God and a part of his kindgom.
• (2) komos--Also condemned as sinful in Galatians 5:19-21, this word is rendered into English by words "revellings" (KJV and ASV) and "carousings" (RSV). The basic meaning of the word relates to excessive feasting and carousing. Liddell and Scott note its close relationship "with music and dancing." The New Testament usage connects it with alcoholic excesses and it coudl be the result of such excesses. [4]
• (3) kai ta homoia toutois--rendered in the American Standard by the expression "and such like" (Gal 5:21). The expression serves to make clear that Paul was not limiting the works of the flesh to specific acts characteristic only of his day and time but to all such conduct characterized by unrestrained excesses described by the general classifications of lasciviousness and revellings.

THE FAITHFUL CHILD OF GOD CANNOT DANCE

The individual who persists in dancing manifests a perverted interest in himself. Paul counsels: "and they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh and the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk" (Gal 5:24-25).

The individual who persists in dancing manifests his lack of interest in the will of God. The individual who loves the Lord will walk as He walked (1 John 2:3-6). The individual who is led by the Spirit of God, through His Word, the Bible, will put "on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Rom 13:14). The individual who is a Christian will make sure in his sojourn and pilgrimage here to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against his soul (1 Pet 2:11). The invididual who is a child of God will not dance because he loves his God and he knows that the eternal well-being of his body and soul are at stake (Mt 10:28).

ENDNOTES:

[1] Adapted from an article by Roy Deaver, "On Dancing" Biblical Notes, X, (June 1976), pp. 22-23.

[2] W.F. Arndt and F.W. Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1957), p. 114.

[3] J.H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1962), pp. 79-80.

[4] Quoted from a very excellent article by Tom Eddins, "Christianity and Modern Dancing," Spiritual Sword, II (July 1971), p. 11.