Christianity and Dance: Modesty and Biblical Standards
The Bible speaks of dance primarily as an expression of rejoicing, often contrasted with mourning, as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:4 and Psalm 30:11 [5]. In early biblical periods, dance was frequently accompanied by song or refrain and instruments like the tambourine, particularly during spontaneous outbursts of popular feeling [5]. Examples include Miriam leading the women in dance after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20) and David dancing before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14).
While the Bible describes dance, it also emphasizes principles of Christian conduct, including holiness, modesty, and diligence [1, 2, 3]. Christian conduct involves believing and fearing God, loving and obeying Him, and following the example of Christ [2]. This example is characterized by holiness, righteousness, purity, love, humility, meekness, and self-denial [4].
Modesty, in a Christian context, extends beyond mere physical appearance to encompass a broader sense of propriety and humility. The Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible translates Galatians 5:23 to include "modesty" as a fruit of the Spirit, alongside mildness, faith, continency, and chastity [6]. This suggests that modesty is an inward disposition that manifests outwardly.
The concept of modesty is also linked to the avoidance of anything that might cause others to stumble or that draws undue attention to oneself. For instance, in the Old Testament, precautions were taken for decency, such as the instruction for priests to use steps when ascending the altar to prevent their nakedness from being exposed due to their loose garments (Exodus 20:26) [8]. This highlights a concern for appropriate conduct even in sacred settings.
In the New Testament, Paul addresses modesty in the context of women's appearance during community prayer. In 1 Timothy 2:9-10, he instructs women "to be modest in their appearance," emphasizing that their praise should be directed to God rather than seeking human admiration [9]. This passage suggests that Christian women should prioritize good deeds over enhancing their appearance or being sexually seductive. The mention of jewelry and expensive clothes in this context also implies a concern about wealth and potential power struggles within the early church [9].
The broader principle of Christian conduct calls believers to live "soberly, righteously, and godly" (Titus 2:12) [2]. This includes diligence in cultivating Christian graces and guarding against defilement [3]. The focus is on being established with grace rather than being carried away by "divers" or "strange doctrines" concerning external observances like dietary laws (Hebrews 13:9) [7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Dance — a musical instrument of percussion, supposed to have been used by the Hebrews at an early period of their history. The dance is spoken of in Holy Scripture universally as symbolical of some rejoicing, and is often coupled for the sake of contrast with mourning, as in (Ecclesiastes 3:4) comp. Psal 30:11; Matt 11:17 In the earlier period it is found combined with some song or refrain, (Exodus 15:20; 32:18,19; 1 Samuel 21:11) and with the tambourine (Authorized Version "timbrel"), more especially in those impulsive outbursts of popular feeling which cannot find s”
- Galatians “Galatians 5:23 (DRC) — Mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity. Against such there is no law.”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:9: about--rather, as oldest manuscripts read, "carried aside"; namely, compare Eph 4:14. divers--differing from the one faith in the one and the same Jesus Christ, as taught by them who had the rule over you (Heb 13:7). strange--foreign to the truth. doctrines--"teachings." established with grace; not with meats--not with observances of Jewish distinctions between clean and unclean meats, to which ascetic Judaizers added in Christian times the rejection of some meats, and the use of others: noticed also by Paul in Co1 8:8, Co1 8:13; Co1 6:13; Rom”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 20:26: by steps--a precaution taken for the sake of decency, in consequence of the loose, wide, flowing garments of the priests. Next: Exodus Chapter 21”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 2:9: 2:9-10 The subject is still community prayer. • to be modest in their appearance: Christian women must praise God rather than seek to be praised by people (cp. 1 Pet 3:3-5). They are to do good deeds for others, not focus on enhancing their appearance or being sexually seductive. Jewelry and expensive clothes imply wealth (see 1 Tim 6:5-10, 17-19), which might have played into the power struggles Timothy had to combat (2:11-15).”