Shall We Dance? - Part 1
By Allan E. McNabb

As with many things, dancing can be either good or bad depending on the details.

Dancing Defined
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines dancing as “to move or seem to move up and down or about in a quick or lively manner.”

There are many forms of dancing.

For example,  a child joyfully jumping around, moving in a lively and spirited manner when receiving a present, is dancing.  This is similar to David’s dancing when bringing the ark into Jerusalem (1 Ch. 15:29).

Usually, though, when we talk about dancing, we mean a social event where a couple rhythmically moves to music, such as occurs at a school dance or night club.

Not All Dancing Is Sinful
There are several examples of dancing in the Old Testament that weren’t sinful.

Some people danced alone, some danced with the same gender in celebration, some danced for joy, and some danced to praise God.

Solomon says, “There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven — a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.  A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up.  A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ec. 3:1-4).

In the New Testament, we also read about dancing that’s wasn’t sinful:

• Dancing figuratively represents one’s joyful response to the gospel, which the Jews lacked (Matt. 11:17; Lk. 7:32).
• There was dancing in celebration of the prodigal son’s return (Lk. 15:25), figuratively illustrating the joy when a person repents.

The dancing in these passages, as they relate to people of that culture, was not sinful.  And certainly, it was not the sexually provocative dancing we think of today, occurring at proms and in ballrooms.

Some Dancing Is Sinful
There are two more references to dancing in the New Testament, other than the three already mentioned.

Matthew 14:6 and Mark 6:22 tell of Herodias’ daughter who sinfully danced at Herod’s birthday party.

The Greek text regarding Herodias’ daughter’s behavior denotes “a shameful exhibition of lewd dancing” (Robertson).

Bible Principles
As with many questions like this, there are four principles we should apply to determine whether a particular dance is sinful.

We are to glorify God in our bodies, and exalt Christ (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:20).

• If a dance inappropriately displaying our bodies, or includes movements unbecoming a Christian, it brings shame upon God.  We can’t involve ourselves with such dances.

We are to do things that are honorable and respectable in the sight of all men (Rom. 12:17; Phil. 4:8), obeying God in everything we do (Acts 4:19; 5:29).

• We must determine whether dancing in a particular fashion is honorable in our day and age.
• For example:  If our community deems a particular dance inappropriate, we shouldn’t involve ourselves in the dance.

We shouldn't engage in lustful and licentious (sensual) behaviors (Rom. 6:12; 1 Jn. 2:16; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; Jude 1:4).

• "Lust" is a strong desire to sin.  "Licentious" is unbridled lust — excess, absence of restraint, indecency, and wantonness.
• Dancing in a lustful or licentious fashion, as was the case with Herodias’ daughter, is sinful.

We shouldn't engage in questionable behaviors (Rom. 14:23; 1 Th. 5:21-22).

• We must be absolutely certain a particular dance is lawful before engaging in the behavior.
• If there is any question about participating in the dance, we should avoid it.

Conclusion
We learn from the Bible that some, but not all, dancing is sinful.

Before dancing, we must determine whether it’s sinful.

In the next article, we answer some questions about dancing, by applying the principles we’ve explored in this article.