Dancing (Bible&EGW)
The concept of "dancing" in a theological context presents a nuanced view, with instances of both reverent expression and worldly dissipation appearing in biblical and Ellen G. White's writings.
Biblical Context The Bible records instances of dancing as an expression of joy and worship, as well as in contexts of worldly revelry and idolatry.
- Expressions of Joy and Worship: King David danced "before the LORD with all his might" when the ark of the Lord was brought into Jerusalem <2 Samuel 6:14 | 1 Chronicles 15:29 | PP 707.1 | PP 708.5 | RH, November 9, 1905 par. 4 | 1SP 411.1 | 4aSG 112.1>. This act was part of a triumphal procession and sacrifice <PP 707.1 | RH, November 9, 1905 par. 4>. Psalms also call for praising God "with the timbrel and dance" <Psalms 149:3 | Psalms 150:4>. The Lord promises to turn mourning into dancing and gladness <Psalm 30:11 | Jeremiah 31:13>. Ecclesiastes notes "a time to mourn, and a time to dance" as part of life's seasons <Ecclesiastes 3:4>. Children are also mentioned as dancing <Job 21:11>.
- Worldly Revelry and Idolatry: Dancing is depicted as part of the Israelites' idolatrous worship of the golden calf at Mount Sinai. Moses' anger "waxed hot" when he saw "the calf, and the dancing," which was interpreted as "sensual and indecent" and linked to "shameful orgies that marked the heathen worship of false gods" <Exodus 32:6, 19 | PH154 44.1 | PH154 46.2 | PP 760.2 | RH, February 11, 1909 par. 13 | RH, March 14, 1899 par. 1 | RH, September 1, 1896 par. 5 | ST, May 20, 1880 par. 2 | 3SG 278.2 | 3SG 279.1 | 1SP 247.1 | 19MR 109.3 | TM 101.2>. The Amalekites were found "eating and drinking, and dancing" after taking spoil, a scene of "revelry" <1 Samuel 30:16 | PP 693.4>. The prodigal son's return feast included "musick and dancing" <Luke 15:25 | GCB, December 1, 1895 par. 18 | COL 207.2>. Herod's feast, where Salome danced, led to the execution of John the Baptist, amidst "music and wine and dancing" that removed "the fear and reverence of God" from those present <RH, March 11, 1873 par. 8 | DA 221.3 | DA 221.5 | 2SP 78.1 | 2SP 79.3 | RH, October 27, 1896 par. 8>.
Ellen G. White's Perspective Ellen G. White strongly distinguishes between David's reverent expression of joy and what she terms "fashionable modern dance," which she condemns as detrimental to spiritual life and a device of Satan.
David's Dance as Worship, Not a Precedent for Modern Dance: She clarifies that David's dancing was an act of "reverent joy before God" and "had not the faintest resemblance to the dissipation of modern dancing" <AH 517.1 | 1MCP 314.1 | CCh 164.2 | PP 707.2>. His dance "tended to the remembrance of God and exalted His holy name," while modern dancing "is a device of Satan to cause men to forget God and to dishonor Him" <AH 517.1 | 1MCP 314.1 | CCh 164.2 | PP 707.2>. Michal, Saul's daughter, despised David for his demonstrative worship <2 Samuel 6:16 | 1 Chronicles 15:29 | PP 708.5>.
Condemnation of Modern/Worldly Dancing:
- School of Depravity and Dissipation: Modern dancing is characterized as "a school of depravity, a fearful curse to society," associated with "folly and midnight reveling" <MYP 399.2 | RH, February 28, 1882 par. 9 | AH 516.3 | ST, February 23, 1882 par. 5 | PP 707.2 | CCh 164.2 | 1MCP 313.4>. It is considered "detrimental to the health of soul and body" and a "step in the path of vice and dissipation" <ST, February 23, 1882 par. 5 | AH 516.3 | MYP 399.1 | RH, February 28, 1882 par. 8>.
- Weakens Spiritual Life: Dancing, along with other worldly amusements, "destroy[s] all relish for serious thought and for religious services" and "weaken[s] the love for sacred things and lessen[s] our joy in the service of God" <AH 516.3 | AH 517.1 | MYP 399.1 | RH, February 28, 1882 par. 8>. God is not an object of thought or reverence among frequenters of the ballroom, and prayer or praise would feel "out of place" <AH 517.1 | 1MCP 313.4 | CCh 164.2 | PP 707.2>.
- Incompatible with Christian Principles: A true Christian "will not desire to enter any place of amusement or engage in any diversion upon which he cannot ask the blessing of God" <MYP 398.1 | MYP 398.2 | ST, June 21, 1905 par. 7 | 5MR 127.2 | AH 516.1>. She advises that dancing, card-playing, and theater-going are amusements "which we cannot approve, because Heaven condemns them" <PH145 21.1 | PaM 247.3 | MYP 392.1 | AUCR, November 24, 1913 par. 7 | CTBH 108.2 | 2MCP 736.1 | AH 498.2 | CH 195.1 | CT 346.1 | 1T 514.1>. Christians are called to be Christlike, and dancing is seen as diverting attention and lessening zeal in this work <RH, February 28, 1882 par. 14>.
- Warnings to Parents and Church Leaders: Parents are cautioned against allowing children to attend "dancing-parties and balls" as these "win their children to the world" and dishonor God <CG 278.1 | RH, April 13, 1897 par. 5 | MYP 399.2 | RH, February 28, 1882 par. 9 | AH 516.3>. Church elders attending dancing parties set a "stone of stumbling in the way of others" <ST, February 23, 1882 par. 4>.
- Associated Vices: Dancing is frequently grouped with drinking, card-playing, gambling, theater-going, and other forms of worldly indulgence, which lead to "gambling and dissipation" <RH, October 17, 1871 par. 14 | RH, March 11, 1873 par. 8 | HR, October 1, 1872 par. 7 | RH, February 28, 1882 par. 2 | ST, June 21, 1905 par. 7 | YI, May 19, 1898 par. 4 | PH138 19.2 | PH145 21.1 | 18MR 41.2 | 3MR 362.2 | 5MR 127.2 | 5MR 159.3 | 5MR 391.1 | CG 278.1 | GC88 377.1 | PaM 247.3 | PP 454.3 | Ev 26.2 | Ev 253.2 | 1T 553.2 | RH, February 20, 1866 par. 18 | RH, April 13, 1897 par. 3 | ST, February 23, 1882 par. 5 | RH, October 26, 1886 par. 11 | ST, February 23, 1882 par. 4 | CTBH 108.2 | 2MCP 736.1 | AH 498.2 | CT 346.1 | DA 221.5 | MYP 398.1 | MYP 399.1 | 1MCP 315.2 | TMK 248.2 | ST, May 30, 1900 par. 13 | RH, March 11, 1873 par. 5 | Te 50.1 | RC 247.4 | TDG 10.2>. Such activities are considered "an oblation unto Satan" <PH048 15.2 | MYP 382.2>.
Dancing in Fanatical Religious Manifestations: E.G. White also warned against "shouting, with drums, music, and dancing" in religious gatherings, stating that such "uncouth thing[s]" would occur "just before the close of probation" and lead to "confused" senses, clarifying that "this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit" but "is inspired by the spirit of Satan" <GCB, April 23, 1901 par. 13 | 2SM 34.1 | 5MR 107.3 | 21MR 128.5 | 2SM 36.2 | VSS 417.1 | Mar 234.2 | NL 50.4 | 3SM 370.7 | 3SM 372.5 | 6MR 59.2 | LDE 159.1>.
In summary, while biblical accounts show dancing as a legitimate expression of joy and worship, particularly in the context of King David, Ellen G. White distinguishes this from "modern dancing," which she consistently condemns as a worldly amusement that leads to moral depravity, weakens spiritual connection, and is incompatible with Christian principles. She also cautions against fanatical religious practices that involve noisy dancing, attributing them to Satanic influence rather than the Holy Spirit.
