My post, Pentecostal Hype, stirred up some emotions...
Two readers comment:
"If you go back to the Old Testament you will find when David was bring back the ark of the covenant in 2 Samuel 6:14-23 you will see why the UPCI worship in this way also in Psalms 149 & 150. The Bible was written as a whole book, now with that being said there are things in the Old Testament that yes God changed. "
...and...
"In reference to 'dancing,' didn't David dance before the Lord? Also, if this is as you say only an 'emotional release,' maybe that is the 'blessing' God is giving. After all, an emotional release, letting go of burdens, is an extreme blessing. Just a thought."
My response:
Both of you hit a theme of David "dancing" before the Lord. The Bible certainly affirms that and evens adds "with all his might" in the ESV. I don't believe there's any question that David danced on several occasions - and even in worship to God. This certainly raises important questions for the Church - namely, should we be dancing, and if so, how?
The Apostolic church, drawing on its early roots in the poor, oppressed South, borrowed many traditions from popular folk culture in the early 1900s. One of these was the tradition of "dancing in the Spirit" that still manifests itself regularly in Oneness churches as well as several other predominantly African American denominations like the Church of God in Christ. In these services, congregants are encouraged to become demonstrative in their worship, to "praise" God for His mighty acts. Worship in the heart alone - as scripture advocates - is discouraged; we must become "fools for Christ" (as I've heard in many a Campmeeting) and literally act that out. The crazier the dancing, the more Christ is glorified, and David is held up as a shining ideal of this out-of-control behavior.
My question is this: if this is truly what God demands of us, wouldn't there be something - anything - from the New Testament record that confirms this? Wouldn't Paul have given strict instructions about dancing in the Spirit somewhere, oh say around I Corinthians 12? Wouldn't Peter have referenced this in Hebrews, or even Acts? But there's nothing - only silence from New Testament scripture concerning dancing in the Spirit and acting the fool for Christ. Paul is clear, though, in I Corinthians 14:39 where he writes, "But all things should be done decently and in order." I believe this refers to everything about the way we gather together for corporate worship, and the chaos and danger that results from a nightclub-like environment in churches clearly violates this principle.
It's interesting to me to note that several strains of Christianity are using the Old Testament scriptures to justify choreographed dance moves that occur during the worship services. At a notable church in Omaha, the dance team, consisting of half a dozen middle aged women dressed in black, perform their choreographed moves in the aisles of the sanctuary, gyrating to the rhythms of Chris Tomlin songs. Why does the UPC frown on this? Because David's moves were allegedly spontaneous and unchoreographed? Let me remind you...David danced naked...Community Chapel, a former UPC megachurch outside Seattle, encouraged dancing in the Spirit in the 1970s. The only issue was, individuals were encouraged to dance with their "spiritual connections" who, likely as not, were opposite sex individuals who were not their spouses. This ultimately led to disastrous consequences, not only for the church, but for many members' marriages and their families. In it all, the pastor maintained it was glorifying to God for individuals to dance before God [he had up to four spiritual connections, all female and 20 years younger than himself, and none were his wife]. For a fascinating read, begin here and here.
In all of this, I believe we have lost sight of the purpose of worship. The controversy isn't about dancing. It's about hype. Review the video I posted here, listen to the beat of the music, the repitition, and tell me this isn't reminiscent of bars and clubs (or vice versa). Tell me the people dancing onstage aren't sending subliminal messages to the crowd about how they should be "worshipping". Tell me there isn't a mosh pit mentality occurring down front. Tell me this isn't "decent and in order". If you can honestly answer no to all these, dance away.
4 comments:
Hmm...interesting. By the reasoning put forth in the article, we shouldn't have instrumental music in church either, since the use of trumpets, drums and other musical instruments is not mentioned in the New Testament...
Where does that line of reasoning lead us? To outlaw the use of pulpits and pews simply because they aren't explicitly mentioned in the New Testament? Of course not! The "nouns" associated with our worship, like you mentioned, are simply modern artifacts that, in and of themselves, have little to no value to the Christian, but can aid in a Christian lifestyle.
However, any prescribed behavior for Christians should absolutely have a foundation in the New Testament. Any behavior we are told to engage in outside the New Testament should be regarded with extreme caution, regardless of its origin.
Are you prepared to embrace animal sacrifice, nude dancing, and polygamy simply because David did it?
I am a former Pentecostal, but still believe that dancing, if done right, will bring glory to the Lord. I believe that in sincere praise, God will put dancing in our feet and a shout in our mouths. Such can be done in order and as a praise unto God.
We are emotional creatures, so we express happiness, sadness, joyfulness, anger, etc. with an emotional response.
When I am elated because I received a huge bonus, it's almost impossible for me to not show some kind of positive outward emotion.
Since our emotions are responsive to music, the type of music played or sung can influence or deepen our emotional response.
I see nothing wrong with anyone rejoicing before the Lord. What I don't care for is using music to manipulate an extreme response. Then the pressure is put on the listener to respond as directed.
Music is a gift from God and can be very useful in helping set the emotional tone which will allow someone to be receptive to what God is saying.
I have seen music be abused for emotional purposes, but it's not only by Oneness UPC people. Movies, tv shows, commercials, and all kinds of media try to control your emotions with music.
Trinitarian churches are just as guilty of using music to manipulate as Oneness, Hindu, Muslim, or any other religion.
I say live and let live! Music is a gift from God!
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