What Kind Of Dances Does God Approve?

jesusboosted · Jul 8, 2013

IS IT FINE TO DANCE ANY HOW FOR GOD, BEACAUSE SOME DANCES IF YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THEM, THEY ARE QUITE EROTIC AND CAN EASILY SEDUCE THE OPPOSITE SEX.

I REALLY GET CONFUSED WHEN IT COMES TO DANCING FOR GOD....HOW MUST I GO ABOUT DANCING FOR GOD?

HonestTruth · Jul 10, 2013

Actually this question is quite easy to answer though it is generally not addressed by Christians.

The Bible tells us of the "virgin dance" which was used to help restore Israel after exhaustive war in Jeremiah 31. This largely corresponds with belly dancing in which a young woman dances barefooted, plays tabrets (cymbals or tambourines), whirls, and makes merriment. The young dancer's performance will "turn mourning to joy, bring comfort, and make them rejoice from their sorrow" {Jer 31:13}. When the Pharoah's army was defeated Miriam the prophetess (Aaron's sister) "took a timbrel in her hand and all the women danced after her with timbrels and with dances" {Exodus 15:20}:

Note the bare feet, partially exposed midriff, whirling, and timbrels.

Interestingly, the old paintings have Miriam and others biblical belly dancers with partially exposed skin. More modern paintings have her fully clothed. Based on my past studies, I suggest that these earlier renditions are more accurate portrayals of Miriam and other "virgin" or biblical belly dancers.

jesusboosted · Jul 11, 2013

wow thanks alot i will go through the verses and learn more, but how about these modern dances that we have?

HonestTruth · Jul 11, 2013

I believe that modern dances would meet the ready approval of the biblical patriarchs. The Old Testament especially gives numerous instances of women dancing to entertain men and that the men select their wives from the dancers such as in Judges 21:21,22. We are told to praise God through this type of dancing in Psalm 150:4 "Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe." Evidently, belly dancing is the most popular form of dancing in the Old Testament. Well, considering the proximity to Egypt where the dance was invented this should come as no surprise. Therefore, if it is erotic it is OK as shown in the many examples where this is shown in the Bible.

When a family is reunited there is music and dancing as in Luke 15:25 "Now when the older son was n the field and as he came and drew nigh to the house he saw music and dancing".

Thus, dancing is done to praise God, to renew a nation weary of war, and to celebrate the uniting of families. There is nothing in the Bible which suggests dancing is sinful.

covered4god · Jul 20, 2013

when i went to the state convention in ft wayne last year there was a group of girls that did belly dance to Hebrew christian music it was beautiful and they wore dresses like in the photo ya posted

HonestTruth · Jul 21, 2013

Sefardic dancer:

Note how the midriff is fully exposed. The use of shoes is a modern invention as most people walked barefooted in ancient times.

HonestTruth · Jul 21, 2013

combination of Yemeni-Sefardic dancing costuming & performance:

This type of dancing has been going on from time immemorial and is biblically sanctioned. Therefore, contrary to the views of certain religious or social pundits, there is nothing sinful about this type of dancing or performance.

HonestTruth · Jul 21, 2013

Essay on the very sensual Flamenco dancing:

Flamenco History « Claudia de la Cruz Flamenco Institute

It's a bit long but in summary, contrary to popular belief, Flamenco is of Sefardic origin and the Gypsies transformed and adopted it. I have read in the past where Flamenco was a bit more sensual before but when Gypsies adopted it they sorta tamed it a bit in order to be accepted by the tyrannical Spanish authorities and Inquisition. Bottom line being that men & women dancing together in a sensual manner is not contrary to biblical teaching.

covered4god · Jul 21, 2013

i am gonna have to check this out.

dayhiker · Sep 27, 2013

One of the things that helped me understand that dancing was OK was seeing kids that had just learned to walk and when they hear music that start to dance. Its only as they are culturalized that they stop dancing to music.

LyolaGrace93 · Oct 15, 2013

Hey alls!

I really don't think that there is anything wrong with dancing. I have been a belly dancer for the past 8 years, and I have always thought of it as God's special gift to me. I have even put together moves to Christian songs to give them more meaning to me.

Now I can see where the lines are blurred, especially with today's culture and ideas. In fact many women use this old style of dance to seduce and entice. I think and believe that the heart behind the dance matters more then the actual dance. "Do all unto the Glory of God".

To answer your last question. The way that I have used my belly dance to glorify God is by dancing to Christian songs, using my body to praise God. I have only ever danced before a man one other time, but other then that the only other time that I will dance for a man is on my wedding night, as my symbol of dedication and honor to him.

Trust me, it took a long time before I was able to feel comfortable with my style of dance. Many other girls my age and other women looked down on me as some sort of harlot for the longest time. But after doing a lot of research in both the bible and online resources, not to forget to mention asking my parents about this, I came to the realization that dancing is encouraged as a form of praise.

Hope this helps!

Yoseft · Oct 18, 2013

I have read through these post and offer my thoughts.

We have dancing at our Congregation.

No skin or sensual type, but Jewish / Born Again Messianic
type.

I hope all may discern the difference, with prayer and seeking His Heart.

One does NOT have to be Messianic to dance before HIM In Holiness.

Example of ours:
For Zions Sake / Paul Wilbur Concert 2007 - YouTube

Gxg (G²) · Oct 19, 2013

Yoseft said:
I have read throught these post and offer my thoughts.

We have dancing at our Congregation.

No skin or sensual type, but Jewish / Born Again Messianic
type.

I hope all may discern the difference, with prayer and seeking His Heart.

One does NOT have to be Messianic to dance before HIM In Holiness.

Example of ours:
For Zions Sake / Paul Wilbur Concert 2007 - YouTube

Agreed with what you said - and it's so true how Dance is a blessing from the Lord. At one of the fellowships I go to (the Messianic one), they also do dance and it's always beautiful just like the other dances in existence......some of this shared more in-depth elsewhere as seen here:

Gxg (G²);57615659 said:
Gxg (G²);57615659 said:

Was thinking on something I read long ago in II Samuel 6:16 when it came to the issue of David rejoicing before the Lord through the gift of dance.

2 Samuel 6:13-15

13 When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

Beth Simca Messianic Jewish Dancers

Always powerful whenever I consider that David was willing to look foolish in the eyes of some in order to express his thankfulness to God fully and honestly...and what a time for celebration when the symbol of God's prescence was brought back to his people. For myself, this always comes to mind whenever I consider how I have been significantly blessed at my own congregation as well as other Messianic venues when seeing many of the dance ministries that they have set up-----as it concerns the issue of dancing before the Lord/utilizing the arts for the Glory of the Messiah. And I'm aware of how much the scriptures seem to indicate that dancing was apart of worshipping the Lord in Jewish culture ( Exodus 15:19-21, Judges 11:33-35 , 1 Samuel 18:5-7, 1 Chronicles 15:28-29, Psalm 30:10-12, Psalm 149:2-4 , Psalm 150:3-5, Ecclesiastes 3:3-5, Jeremiah 31:3-5, Jeremiah 31:12-14, etc )

Gxg (G²);64247203 said:

I'm reminded of how the Ethiopians (and Eritreans as well) do have a sort of "liturgical dance," and are very different in style from the Byzantine tradition - even though they are nonetheless Orthodox and not "low-church" or remotely evangelical in worship. Orthodoxy can vary in expression depending on location. For across the vast continent of Africa, where there is Ancient Christianity, you find rhythmic movement along with it. In Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, etc. The reasons for this are due to how this is the normal organic development of local Orthodox expression within African cultures - African Christianity is truly a rhythmic culture on many levels..and it's beautiful seeing the ways dance/using the body for glorification of the Lord is accepted African and Asian Orthodoxy is truly beautiful...

Ethiopian Orthodox song Communion Dance

Ethiopian Orthodox Drumming & Dancing in Australia

Eritrean Orthodox Hymn and Drumming at the Oriental Orthodox Festival 2011

MargamKali Dance by Sunday School Students of St. George Universal Syrian Orthodox Reesh Church

.

/quote]

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Feri · Oct 19, 2013

LyolaGrace93 · Oct 19, 2013

jamallax89 · Nov 6, 2013

very difficult question

SapphiraMM96 · Nov 19, 2014

I don't think it does much good to legalistically judge some dances to be "godly" and others to be "sinful." We're not God. We know from Creation that God created Beauty and created us to be Beautiful. Isn't it more important, in thinking about sin and God's approval, to ask what's in the dancer's heart? If his or her intent is to glorify God and to make Beauty, then how could that be "wrong"? It's only if the intent is to seduce, to sin or to lead others into sin, that there's a problem.

What Kind Of Dances Does God Approve?

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