Speaking To Youth

By: Jason Shepherd

 

   It’s that time of year again when the big question is asked by so many Christian young people: “Can a Christian attend the Prom?”  In order to answer that sometimes controversial question consider the following written by Garland M. Robinson.

 

   The dictionary says a prom is “a formal dance given by a high school or college class.”  Dancing is defined as “to perform a rhythmic and patterned succession of bodily movements usually to music, to move quickly up and down or about.”

   Does the Bible condone or allow dancing?  Is it an activity that is wholesome?  The Bible word which describes and condemns dancing as sensual and sinful and lasciviousness is “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females.”  (Thayer, p. 79)  Dancing certainly involves “indecent bodily movements” and the “unchaste handling of males and females.”  That is its design and appeal.

 

   Dancing involves activities that excite lust, passion, and eroticism.  Regarding such we can read Matthew 5:28 and James 1:14,15.  Any activity, therefore, that promotes lust or sensual thoughts and actions is sinful.  Dancing is such an activity.  John the Baptist was beheaded because of a rash vow made by Herod whose passion was aroused by watching a dancing young maiden.  (Mark 6:16-29)

 

   Arthur Murray, a noted dancing teacher was quoted in Reader’s Digest as saying: “The difference between wrestling and dancing is that, in wrestling, some holds are barred!”  A former owner of a large dance hall said, “You can picture the effect on a boy or girl at one of these dances which calls for a close abdominal contact and frequently brings the cheeks together and entwines the limbs.  There is but one reason for its popularity.  That reason is sex appeal.”

 

   Lasciviousness and wantonness, which describes dancing, are condemned in Mk. 7:22; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; I Pet. 4:3; Jude 1:4; 2 Pet. 2:7; Rom. 13:13, and 2 Pet. 2:18.  Those involving themselves in lasciviousness have no hope of heaven unless they repent and stop the activity.  Scriptures says, “….that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”  (Gal. 5:21)

 

   So for an alternative to the Prom: Attend the Spring Alternative on May 7th.  See Dave Martin for information.

 

 

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