Featured Interpretive Dance in church?

I've seen it a few times when I visited other churches for special programs..................Easter play, Christmas play, etc..................thought it was sort of weird, not to mention boring.........could see no benefit or reason for it.

 

I agree. The use of the arts in worship is a good thing -- if indeed it is art, and not just a show.

 

I have seen interpretive dance in church a few times, I didn't care for it, but each to their own. I now don't go if there is going to be an interpretive dance program.

The only interpretive dance that had any meaning to me and it wasn't in church but on some land I was clearing, I cut my fingers and thumb with a chain saw. Now that was a dance with meaning.

 

Michael wrote:

While this form of dance isn't my cup of tea, I agree with these posts.

Providing it (whatever the art maybe) is worship of our Lord and not "entertainment". Yes, often it's a fine line between the two. However, asking if this is something Jesus would watch and bless can make that fine line a 4-lane highway in width, regardless of the "art" form.

 

Yes, but did it glorify God?

 

Cool question. Now I know what I'll be looking for in the Bible tonight!

In the meantime...it seems a lot of Baptist churches I've been in have spent so much time trying to repress human nature that they've turned people's thoughts the wrong way. Good intentions, bad results in that many boys and girls growing up feel guilt or shame if they have a normal thought in their head when they see a girl's kneecap or beyond the top button of a boy's shirt. It's probably why so many Baptist preachers use wooden pulpits...us women might trample each other on our way up the aisles if we saw what color socks preachers wear. :smilewinkgrin:

 

This is my number one objection to it in most cases...unless the female dancing is wearing thick, multi-layered loose-fitting robe...or if they just select some older or unattractive women to dance, it is very unlikely that any men in the audience will get any spiritual benefit from the dance, most likely the opposite.

The fact is, that if an attractive woman dressed in either normal clothes (say jeans and a regular shirt), or especially some dance outfit that is probalby more form-fitting, and starts dancing on a stage, that most men's thoughts will be on her body. The really pious will look away, knowing their weakness, the rest will watch with thoughts on her, not on the supposed meaning of the dance.

Some may disagree, but I don't see an easy way to get around this...I think this can be a issue as well with music videos from female Christian artists, who don't really 'GET' how the way they dress and move affects men.

That said, I don't think there is a biblical case for prohibiting all dance, but I think it will take lots of work to overcome this obstacle...perhaps if it was more "pride & predjudice" style dancing...just walking in a line or in circles?

 

That's funny.

 

I'm sorry, but I couldn't keep from laughing out loud at the part I bolded. So, the potential lust problem could be solved by getting a 65-year old, 300 pound woman to dance? :laugh:

 

Exactly! I"m glad you see things my way! :type:

 

I've seen and done a few of those dances in my lifetime.

You're absolutely right, as we know exactly the meaning that dance is suggesting!

 

Interpretive dance, like anything else, can be used for good or for evil. Here is an example of a powerful interpretive dance/skit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA

 

Maybe I’m not well versed in the arts but I see nothing worshipful about interpretative dance. What are they interpreting and how is the audience to know? It’s nice to watch and I know some of these girls work for hours to get the routine just right. I’m sure it also promotes physical fitness. But worship? How?
If you went to a dance program that had several different pieces and only one of them was written and choreographed to be an act of Christian worship, I’ll bet you wouldn’t be able to identify which one it was.

 

I am definitly in favor of interprative dancing in church.

David danced for His Lord, and we should as well.

 

Zenus...

Because its being done in a CHURCH....where everthing is being done for God.

Again, you dont have to wonder. Its because its being done in church, for the glory of God.

Zenus...its ALL for for God. From the beginning to the end. You dont need to compartalize it.

The entire presentation is given as if there was an audiance of one...

GOD

I am certain that physical fitness is the LAST of thier concern.

Its done for the Lord.