Dance Routines in Worship?

Ps 149:3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
Ps 150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Ec 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Jer 31:13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow

 

There is a fear that dancing would turn to some sort of emotional orgie. Dancing doesnt mean to us what it did to the Hebrews. Some folks just cannot relate to dancing other than as some sensual activity. I have to say that it wouldnt mean much to me. I could not dance and be lifting God up in my heart regardless of the format. But it was used in celebration by the Hebrews.

In Orlando Fl there is a park called the Holy Land experience. The dance is part of the Jewish celebration in one of their shows. It is done very tastefully without sensuality.

http://www.holylandexperience.com/

 

We regularly have dance as a part of our worship. Done correctly it can be a beautiful and tasteful addition to worship. We will have a young lady dance to a monologue on the woman healed from the issue of blood in a few weeks. From what I know, it will be extremely powerful.

And you will find no Scripture to suggest dance cannot be used in worship. If anything, you will find the opposite (as the texts cited above indicate).

 

Well, since the Old Testament is to be a basis for modern day "New Testament Church" type worship/practice. I would like to see some churches go all out to follow the all of the Old Testament practices....stoning, animal sacrifices, fighting wars, levitcal practices, etc. Silly, huh?! Well, if we claim four or five verses as condoning a certain practice from the Old Testament we must claim them all, right!?!

Are these verses literal dancing? Are the just figurative descriptions of an inner attitude? What was the cultural impact in regards to this dancing? May I would be bold to say that dancing nowadays is a very secular term and practice I would stay away from it in the church! If I asked the average person (saved or unsaved) what they thought it meant if I said, "I'm going dancing!" what do you think would be their reply? Oh you're going to church? Or what club are you going to? Most people associate dance with things of the world and not the church. We are to be separated & different...to keep our message pure and our testimony honest.

~~Martin
Phil 1:6

 

although you may call those who try to follow the old testament "legalist" - in fact you yourself are labelling yourself as legalist. think about that - i will not explain - for it is too simple.

"Well, if we claim four or five verses as condoning a certain practice from the Old Testament we must claim them all, right!?!"

well then Mr Coon - you can throw your old testament away - while I keep the whole of scripture intact. throw stones at me if you wish.

i love what is called "freestyle dancing" - i dont know if its an official word or not - but its just where you make up your own dance moves. i love expressing myself that way.

"most people associate dance with things of the world and not the church" - well then! that gives us more the reason to change that! doesn't it? or do you wish not to evangelize?

do you take everything in the bible figuratively? seems you do - so what does "thou shalt not bear false witness" mean in the figurative language?
well - you can't have one part figurative and the other literal can you? i mean - how do you know where to interpret it literally vs. figuratively?

oh... have we forgotten about king david dancing in the streets? and naked nonetheless... oh poor king david - shame on him! lol

do you take part in the old testament practice of "lean not on your own understanding..." ? if so... i guess you'd better take part in all those animal sacrifices there Coon!

or how about the one where Isaiah says "here am I, send me" - do you ever say that to the Lord? if so... well you'd better get goin on those levitical laws eh?

why dont we go through the ten commandments?
1) thou shalt have no other gods before me
2)thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image
3)thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
4)remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy
5)honour thy father and thy mother
6)thou shalt not kill
7)thou shalt not commit adultery
8)thou shalt not steal
9)thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour
10)thou shalt not covet

and lets look at how Jesus expanded on the 6th and 7th commandment: Jesus said that any man who hates anybody has committed murder in their hearts. Jesus said that whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in his heart.

now - do you follow those old testament practices? i sure hope so. if so... you gon' be fighting any wars sometime soon? i'd love to join in - if its for a righteous cause that is.

after looking at the mirror of the ten commandments - do you consider yourself to be a good person? didn't think so.

and besides - are you to tell people what they should and shouldn't do what is in the word of God? are you in any place of authority to label old testament practices "silly"? no. didn't think so.

so if you follow the ten commandments... better rethink your post a little.
if not - i dont believe you are soundly saved. period.
---

 

gekko, you are a nut case! What is the old saying......."Keep your mouth closed and people will wonder about your lack of intelligence or open your mouth and erase all doubt".

 

shiloh... "gekko, you are a nut case! What is the old saying......."Keep your mouth closed and people will wonder about your lack of intelligence or open your mouth and erase all doubt"."

hmm... do you plan to explain why you labelled me a nut case any time soon? cause im wondering why...

 

Don't spend too much time worrying about it gekko---that is just Shiloh's gentle loving way of dealing with a brother... He is good at it don't you think?

Bro Tony

 

haha. so true bro. tony.

and very good points there rsr!

 

Yes, we are separate from the world and peculiar. But based on your line of reason, Christians stop wearing a suit and tie because when the world sees a suit and tie, they associate it with a business man or a lawyer.

The Bible instructs believers to dance, point blank. Can you provide instruction from the Word that restricts dance while worship?

 

The act of worship is NOT confined to the NT or the NT church.

 

It is not so much that you dance as it is the reason why you dance. People worship the LORD according to their understanding and talents. If your talent is dancing and you dance to the kingdom then dance. I find it no different than the pianist or organist or singers in the Church. That is the basis to what the Psalms is sayings.

Since worship is in spirit and in truth, if you dance to the glory of GOD with truth of worship on your heart then I find no problem with it. I think any verse you find contrary will be stretching the truth. It is not that we are commanded to dance, we are not told we can't dance.

We have spiritual service in our Church. This means we believe in and invite the Holy spirit coming into our service. What is described in Acts 2:2 could be considered pandamonium in some Churches, but it would be a normal sunday in ours. When the spirit comes, no one can predict what will happen to you. I have seen some just sit and cry while others run out the doors into the streets.