Adventists don’t dance!

For decades now, that’s been the sum of the dance discussion between most older and younger Adventist Christians. But the issue hasn’t gone away, the questions haven’t stopped being asked, and the definition hasn’t held up. Today, many Adventists take part in national dances, many married Adventists dance regularly, and some Adventist academies sponsor “folk dancing” socials and fund-raisers.

Adventists do dance!

It’s confusing. Especially for parents and youth leaders who hold to the prior standard yet want to relate positively to a generation forging their own definition of what it means to be an Adventist.

Three Discussion Questions About Dancing

1. What’s right about dancing? (You’ll get answers such as “good exercise,” “stress control,” and “being with Adventist friends!”)
2. What’s wrong with dancing? (The answers usually center on three things: the atmosphere of the place where we dance; the music; and the overt sexual temptations.)
3. What activities can you plan and take part in that includes the benefits of #1 without involving the negative aspects of #2?  

In the 27 biblical references to “dance,” “dances,” “dancing,” and “danced,” the following principles can be discovered and applied to our lives (from, Shall We Dance: Rediscovering Christ-Centered Principles, published in 1996 by the Hancock Center for Youth and Family Ministry).


Five Biblical Principles of Dance

1. Dance is an acceptable component of worship. Psalm 149:3 and 150:4.
2. Dance is an appropriate expression of community joy. Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 18:6; Luke 7:32 and 15:25.
3. Dance should praise no other god but God. Exodus 32:19.
4. Dance should not promote inappropriate sexual arousal. 1 Corinthians 10:7, 8; Mathew 14:6; and Numbers 25:3.
5. Appropriate dance is dance in which God is invited as a witness and participant. 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Romans 14:23.  

From: ABZ’s of Adventist Youth Ministry
Permission to copy for use in the local congregation or group.