A Time to Dance

[annsni]

Oh come on Ann! You know why they say Baptists don't have s*x while standing? Cause it looks like they're dancing! :laugh::laugh:

My bad. I'll probably get an infarction....er...infraction for that. :smilewinkgrin:

That's OK - you can join me. I think I win for the most infractions today. We'll have an infraction party!!

But seriously, if anyone saw me dancing, there is no way in this world they would think it was anything sexual. A middle aged, overweight, uncoordinated woman? Nope. It just might give the opposite impression.

 

[Mark_13]

They have said that since before Jesus was on the earth. Your imagination outstrips reality.

Unbelievable. I make a couple of lighthearted comments on the subject and it engenders wrath. Stay in your little fundamental enclave and do what you want, I don't care.

 

[Aaron]

Now that's funny! I just love how you slip those little descriptors in that haven't been used by me, or anyone else on this side of the discussion.

The subtext is loud and clear.

The only "witness" is God's word, which gives testimony to Godly men dancing before Him in praise under the Old Law.

And so far the only witness we have of dancing in church is your imagination.

 

[michael-acts17:11]

The subtext is loud and clear.

And so far the only witness we have of dancing in church is your imagination.

By "church", do you mean the building or the Biblical organism? I see the same command against "dancing" before God when we gather as the command against using musical instruments. I prefer to not force a "law" into Scripture that is not specifically delineated within the actual text. Your rule may sound good to you, but that does not make it Biblical. I lean toward spiritual freedom in the New Covenant, not spiritual bondage to man-made law.

My daughter participated in an interpretive dance at her church Easter morning. I know her heart in that it was meant purely as an act of worship in honor of Christ. I refuse to stand in the place of Michal or of Satan in becoming an accuser of the brethren by condemning another's sincere worship of Christ. No, I will not foolishly, Pharisaically judge other believers in their worship of Christ. I do not dance as a part of my worship, but my behaviors are not the standard by which God judges His children.

 

[annsni]

My daughter participated in an interpretive dance at her church Easter morning. I know her heart in that it was meant purely as an act of worship in honor of Christ.

Aaron thinks that anything like this is terrible and has told me that numerous times.

But I think that's great that your daughter did that!! My girls do worship dance (it's with tambourines and really great worship) and two of my kids did a stick drama to music on Easter morning that was amazing. To see the younger kids worship the Lord - wow!! Did you get your daughter on video? I'd love to see if you have it!! You can PM it to me if you'd rather not put it online and I'll show you some of what we've done if you'd like. I'm not sure my daughter got the most recent video up just yet.

 

[Mexdeaf]

Unbelievable. I make a couple of lighthearted comments on the subject and it engenders wrath. Stay in your little fundamental enclave and do what you want, I don't care.

I am far from being in a 'fundamental enclave'. Forgive me for missing the smiley face in your comments.

 

[abcgrad94]

Dancing happened during the feasts. Moses' sister led the Israelite women in dance, as well, I believe.

 

[saturneptune]

It's always humorous to watch someone try to force a sin into the Bible that is not there. Or define what is sin by their own measure instead of strictly by the written Word. Every sinful act or behavior is an adulteration of a God-honoring act or behavior. The same is true for dancing. There is a right time for it; whether that be in worship of God, dancing with one's spouse or children, or at a social "square dancing" type of activity.

The trouble is that so many people have been convinced that dancing is innately sinful and cannot be conducted without some vile sexual thoughts or behaviors. Perhaps this speaks more to the thought life of the condemners. It is also humorous to hear the silence from those who claim to garner their beliefs solely from Scripture when challenged with Biblical examples of God-honoring dancing. Then, just for laughs, bring up the verses on drinking wine & watch the theological "dancing" around.

I never ceased to be amazed how others view sin. The fat slob at a pot luck stuffing his face with food and gossiping about a brother or sister in Christ because they danced is the classic.

To put it nicely and in a Christian manner, those who consider dancing a sin are theologically challanged.

 

[Don]

I went back through the thread, just to make sure; Aaron has set up a straw man argument.

The OP asked, is there a time to dance? Aaron's response, starting on page 3, centers around dancing in the temple or the synagogue, and focuses on the times that the people came together to hear the reading of the law. Up to that point, no one had mentioned dancing in church.

First, worship is not limited to the time(s) the people came together to hear the law, and the scriptures. Worship, as exemplified by David, and which we should do, is an "all the time, anywhere" kind of thing.

Second, the OP asked when is there a time to dance; so Aaron skirts the OP by answering when you should not.

Yes, I'm an independent fundamental baptist; but a long time ago I saw the passage that said David, a man after God's own heart, leaped and shouted and otherwise embarrassed his wife in total recognition of the mighty works that God had done. (so those of you that keep talking about how badly you dance, just remember: David's "embarrassing" dancing was recorded in scripture, so you can't really use that as an excuse!)

I can find fault in "dirty dancing," or dancing for the reason of finding someone to hook up with; but I can find no fault in dancing for worship of Him, nor in celebration of those things that God has given us (e.g., a spouse).

 

[saturneptune]

Many on this board would have made excellent Pharisees. Notice no names were mentioned.

 

[Mexdeaf]

Many on this board would have made excellent Pharisees. Notice no names were mentioned.

Good tap dance!:tongue3::laugh:

 

[Aaron]

Aaron thinks that anything like this is terrible and has told me that numerous times. .

Puh-leeze. As a former charismatic I've been in services that would curl your toes. I have never used the word terrible. I've said it's unscriptural and unspiritual, but I've never used the word terrible.

Quit projecting.

 

[Aaron]

I went back through the thread, just to make sure; Aaron has set up a straw man argument.

Really? The topic is A Time to Dance. Let me rephrase, is worship (as in the Temple or the synagogues or the formal gatherings of the early church) a time to dance?

Scripture and example, please.

 

[annsni]

Puh-leeze. As a former charismatic I've been in services that would curl your toes. I have never used the word terrible. I've said it's unscriptural and unspiritual, but I've never used the word terrible.

Quit projecting.

Not projecting - just summarizing. Notice there are no quotes.

You saying that you are a former charismatic puts some light on the subject. I've seen many who were in one extreme tend to run to the other when they leave it. That's fine. It's your choice - no skin off my back. Just don't come to my church when we have a dance or drama and I won't try to bring it to your church. :thumbsup:

 

[Don]

Really? The topic is A Time to Dance. Let me rephrase, is worship (as in the Temple or the synagogues or the formal gatherings of the early church) a time to dance?

Scripture and example, please.

Are you now changing the subject of the opening post? Or adding an additional discussion line to the opening post?