 IS DANCING AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF WORSHIP?
Dear Mr. Waddey:
I am deeply concerned about efforts to bring interpretive dancing into the worship service. Am I correct in this thinking? Wanda
Dear Wanda:
Thanks for your question regarding interpretive dancing being used in worship services. Dancing as an expression of worship to God was practiced under the Mosaic code. Following the overthrow of Pharaoh's army, Miriam led the women of Israel in a dance of celebration (Exodus 15:20). David danced before the Lord when the ark was brought up to Jerusalem (II Sam. 6:16). In the Psalms, Hebrews were taught to “praise his name in the dance…” (Ps. 149:3).
This however does not authorize dancing as appropriate for Christian worship. Christ, in his ministry and death, fulfilled and retired the Old Testament as the rule of faith and practice for God's people. In its place he gave us his own covenant, a new covenant that would determine the faith and practice of those who would be his followers.
Note the following Scriptures: Christ, "having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross" (Colossians 2:14). The next verse demonstrates that this was speaking of the Law of Moses with its food regulations and Sabbath laws. In Hebrews 8 the author tells us that Christ has given us "a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises" (8:6). He then identifies that covenant as "a new covenant" that is different from that which Moses gave.
In Christianity, Christ has all authority (Mathew 28:28). We are to teach and do all things that he commanded (Mathew 28:20). We are warned against adding to or taking away from his teachings (Revelation 22:18-19).
In the New Covenant of Christ we are told to sing in worship (Ephesians 5:19), to commune (I Corinthians 11:23-27), to bring and give our offerings (I Corinthians 16:1-2), to pray (Acts 2:42) and to study his Holy Word (Acts 20:7). Nowhere do we read of those early Christians dancing, nor do we find any verse that instructs us to do so.
No passage tells us such is acceptable. In I Corinthians 4:6 (ASV), Paul reminds us that we are "not to go beyond that which is written."
The worship of the Mosaic system involved many practices, which while suitable for that age of the human race, are not suitable in Christ. Among those things are animal sacrifice, an exclusive tribal priesthood, burning of incense and other ceremonial practices that Christ did not choose to incorporate in his system.
Jesus told the woman of Samaria that in our age God is seeking people who will worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Today we offer up spiritual sacrifices and worship (I Peter 2:5; Romans 12:1-2). Dancing is not one of those spiritual sacrifices God had in mind.
The modern idea of having dancers perform for the worship of others stems from the mistaken notion that worship is entertainment, rather than humble, pious praise and devotion before the Divine Creator.
If you would like to experience simple Christian worship patterned after that of the New Testament, I encourage you to visit and worship with a Church of Christ. If you have difficultly locating such a congregation, please send me a note and I will send you an address.
John Waddey |
