![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/ModernDancing.jpg\")
So, mere dancing (whirling around) alone does not pose a moral problem. \u00a0In the modern dance of male and female couples, the moral danger depends on how provocative and sexually stimulating the movements become.<\/p>\n“Dancing” can be defined simply as “the rhythmic movement of the body to music” (II Samuel 6:16; Luke 15:25; Ecclesiastes 3:4). The\u00a0Ryrie Study Bible\u00a0<\/i>notes on religious dancing in Psalms 149:3: “In the Old Testament, whirling motion done by a single individual or by a large group,\u00a0not by couples.” \u00a0<\/i>The\u00a0Richard’s Bible Dictionary\u00a0<\/i>observes, “In ancient Jewish culture, men and women danced in separate groups” (pg. 275). \u00a0The\u00a0Wycliffe Bible Dictionary\u00a0<\/i>states, “The dance as we know it today, performed by pairs of persons of opposite sex, seems to be entirely unknown in the Bible” (pg. 419).<\/p>\n
So, mere dancing (whirling around) alone does not pose a moral problem. \u00a0In the modern dance of male and female couples, the moral danger depends on how provocative and sexually stimulating the movements become.<\/p>\n
The main problem with modern, couple dancing is “lasciviousness” (Greek,\u00a0aselgia<\/i>) in Galatians 5:19. \u00a0It is a sinful work of the flesh. \u00a0If impenitently practiced, it will bar one from heaven (Galatians 5:21). \u00a0It is defined by\u00a0Thayer’s Greek Lexion\u00a0<\/i>as “unbridled lusts, licentiousness, shameless. \u00a0Wanton acts or manners such as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>The occasion for sexual lust and sin is the lure and the sin of the typical modern dance.<\/p>\n
Biblically, this is borne out by the “dancing” that accompanied the sinful worship of the golden calf, where the Israelites engaged in lewd sexual “play” (Exodus 32:19,6). \u00a0In Mark 6:22, the sensual dancing of Herodias’ daughter would be typically lewd in the manner of Greek entertainment, as in “belly dancing,” and it sexually pleased Herod. \u00a0“Dancing…(was) more or less stimulating to the sexual instincts” (Otto Kiefer,\u00a0Sexual Life in Ancient Rome<\/i>, pg. 167).<\/p>\n
In a bulletin article entitled, “Are You Going To The Prom?” \u00a0J. R. Bronger wrote, “I was not raised to respect the Lord, so I participated in dances of all kinds, including the Prom…The High School I attended had regular dances…Therefore, I am well aware of what dancing and dances are all about. \u00a0I was never compelled to consider whether dancing was right or wrong until after I became a Christian. \u00a0What’s wrong with dancing? \u00a0The modern expression of dance involves “lewdness” (lasciviousness), which according to Galatians 5:19 is a work of the flesh…Lasciviousness is sinful anytime, anywhere. \u00a0Dances are held for one main reason: sex appeal. Whether slow cheek-to-cheek, hip-to-hip swaying to sensuous music, or bumping and grinding to pulsating beats, sex appeal (lasciviousness) is what dancing is all about. Dancing is a way to legitimize the sensual fondling of another. \u00a0It is nothing but foreplay.”<\/p>\n
The world advertises dancing as involving sexual flirtation.\u00a0Modern Bride\u00a0<\/i>magazine had an article on the Prom entitled, “Sex — It’s Your Call.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/i>In the\u00a0Prom Style Guide 2000,\u00a0<\/i>it says, “Snag him with your glamorous style, keep him with your sexy moves.” \u00a0In Your Prom Magazine\u00a0<\/i>(1991),\u00a0<\/i>an article entitled, “What’s Sex Got To Do With It?” says, “Expectations usually run high on prom night — especially sexual expectations. A recent graduate explains,… ‘I’ve heard guys say, “If you can’t get it at the prom, when are you going to get it?”‘ \u00a0Then, in Parade Magazine\u00a0<\/i>(June 18, 2000), we read a teen column dealing with the challenges Keith and Jaclyn had in dating, jealousy, sensual dress (or lack thereof), and dancing at clubs. \u00a0Keith says, “I didn’t like her wearing anything revealing…She dances with other people. \u00a0The closeness of the dancing is sexual.” \u00a0The world’s view, which relishes illicit sexual stimulation, freely admits that modern dance is sexually enticing foreplay. \u00a0The Bible calls such impure and sinful.<\/p>\n
Besides the sin of lasciviousness, dancing can also involve the sinful work of the flesh that is called “revellings” in Galatians 5:21. \u00a0Thayer defines it (Gr.\u00a0komos<\/em>) as “feasts and drinking-parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry.” \u00a0Liddell and Scott define it as a “carousal…with music and dancing.” \u00a0Some schools have recently canceled dances, which featured freak dancing or wilding, which have become increasingly erotic and disruptive.<\/p>\n “A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is careless<\/em>” (Proverbs 14:16). \u00a0Young people are commanded to “flee youthful lusts which war against the soul<\/em>” (II Timothy 2:24). \u00a0Will you?<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Frank Walton Biblical Insights, Vol. 6, No. 6, June 2006. “Dancing” can be defined simply as “the rhythmic movement of the body to music” (II Samuel 6:16; Luke 15:25; Ecclesiastes 3:4). The\u00a0Ryrie Study Bible\u00a0notes on religious dancing in Psalms 149:3: “In the Old Testament, whirling motion done by a single individual or by a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[155],"class_list":["post-53933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-dancing"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":53931,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/my-daughters-school-is-insisting-that-she-take-a-class-that-includes-provocative-dancing\/","url_meta":{"origin":53933,"position":0},"title":"My daughter’s school is insisting that she take a class that includes provocative dancing","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Brother Hamilton, I pray you and your family are well. I have a concern about a class my daughter is taking in high school. There is provocative dancing that I don't think it's appropriate for her and our Christian beliefs. I addressed my concerns to the counselor in order\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":88309,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/dancing-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":53933,"position":1},"title":"Dancing (Pickford)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Michael Pickford There is considerable confusion and even some debate over the idea of dancing. Some believe dancing is a sin simply because it is dancing. However, the Bible does not condemn dancing in itself. It never says, \"Thou shalt not dance.\" To the contrary, the Bible says that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":737,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/dancing-in-the-bible\/","url_meta":{"origin":53933,"position":2},"title":"Dancing in the Bible","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 11, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton We will divide the discussion of dancing in the Bible into two sections. The first section will include those Scriptures where dancing is spoken of in a favorable setting. The second section is where dancing is associated with wickedness. We will note the things that are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9085,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/shall-we-dance\/","url_meta":{"origin":53933,"position":3},"title":"Shall We Dance?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 6, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Text: Romans 6:1-2 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dancing covers a broad range of action \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It can be rhythmic movement in time to music \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It can be movement that expresses feelings, such as joy or enthusiasm \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It can be complex movements designed to create emotions in another person II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Dancing in the Bible \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We can\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9192,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-can-dances-at-a-wedding-reception-be-bad\/","url_meta":{"origin":53933,"position":4},"title":"How can dances at a wedding reception be bad?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 1, 2007","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hi, I am a young man who is going to be getting married. I would have loved to use the preacher at my congregation (a church of Christ) but he gave me a pamphlet of his \"Do's and Don'ts.\"\u00a0 Two things that he made clear of were no alcohol\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9194,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/dancing\/","url_meta":{"origin":53933,"position":5},"title":"Dancing (Hamilton)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 10, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is difficult to be a Christian \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We live in a world that says it follows the Bible, but doesn't care what the Bible says \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As result we face many temptations and those we know don't recognize the sins. II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What do we do? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Live like a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sermon"","block_context":{"text":"Sermon","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/sermon\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53933"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53933\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}