The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Dance and worship...again

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]But anyway...my question...Outside of corporate worship, is dancing ok?</font><hr></blockquote><p>I see two errors which have been taught historically.<ol>[*]Total prohibition of dancing of any kind. (Mind you we are discussing dance OUTSIDE of corporate worship, which I am taking as "social dancing".) </li>[*]Total liberty to do any kind of dancing.</li>[/LIST]The general idea of dance is certainly not to be rejected as there are instances in Scripture where we read of God's people who did dance and God Himself even enjoined "dance". It must also be acknowledged that the dancing in the O.T. among the Israelites was not a choreographed type of dance, although the Israelites might have had a set pattern for some of them. But rather, in many cases it should be noted that where it said that one "danced" before the Lord, it is referring to an extemporaneous expression of jubilation. In contemporary terms, it would be known as "jumping for joy". (c.f. 2 Sam 6:14) Thus "dancing" itself is not to be forbidden as something evil.<br><br>However, granting this truth, like the subject of music, there are evil types of dancing and good types of dancing. It is obvious, even to the grosses pagan that the dancing that is expressed from modern Rock-type music is lewd, base and in many cases overtly sexual in nature, although the pagan is much in favor of this "freedom of expression". This is not to say that there aren't older forms of social dancing which could also be considered provocative and sexual in nature. But it must be admitted that the modern dance transcends anything that has gone before. It is hoped that a Christian would reject such licentiousness without question.<br><br>Now, what about these other "good" forms of dance, e.g., ballroom dancing, square dancing, etc.?? It is my opinion that these are perfectly acceptable for married couples and them only, with perhaps one exception being the original form of the square dance (perhaps there are similar types as well which could be included) that unmarried individuals could enjoy. For in most forms, dancing involves the embracing of the parties involved. Thus unmarried couples could easily be tempted to lust after their partner in these forms of dance. Invariably, you will hear some object to this "prudish" type of thinking and use the old argument, "Well, that may be true for others, but "I" am not affected in that manner." This type of subjectivism is an invalid argument which is based upon pride and not fact. We are ALL subject to temptation. If the Lord Christ was sorely tempted of the Devil, how much more are we tempted in our fallen state with the indwelling sin we all own? (1 Corinthians 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall".)<br><br>That's my <br><br>