Lest your readers become overly anxious awaiting the arrival of ballet worship in their church, a few thoughts may temper their excitement. First of all, the statement is made in the article of July 1 that, “throughout the Bible are examples of people who expressed the joy of the Lord with dance.” This implies much more than the facts allow.
Dance, dancing, dances and danced are used about 22 times (at least six are duplications of the same situation) in the Old Testament. These situations range from children playing to the dance of “Satyrs” (goats, monkeys or other mythological demigods).
The only two instances clearly involving dancing in joy before the Lord are after the crossing of the Red Sea and David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Plus there are two references in Psalms to praising the Lord in dance.
Even if “throughout the Bible” included just the Old Testament, it would be a stretch of the term.
And in the New Testament dancing is only mentioned twice, once referring to the daughter of Herodias and once to children. Certainly neither of these support dancing in worship. The New Testament gives neither example or instruction suggesting dance as a part of the worship. It is not included in either Ephesians 5:19 or Colossians 3:16.
My second point is that “halal” (the root of hallelujah) has many more possible meanings than just “to act clamorously foolish.”
The whole point has nothing to do with justifying ballet in worship any more than it does clowns (which might fit better), puppets, drama or anything else.
Robert E. Price
Newville, Ala.
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