Posted by Yong TM (202.172.43.132) on January 07, 2003 at 15:39:56:
In Reply to: the role of dance posted by Soo Li on January 07, 2003 at 13:40:00:
Good question.
Opinions of course vary on this topic. Because I am bi-cultural, I am able to understand this from different angle.
I see dance as a cultural expression more than a religious one. I see all biblical exhortation to dance, to clap, to sing, whatever to be expressions towards God that are essentially Jewish expressions. I do not see them as 'instructions' for us to worship in a certain manner, to be taken as literal.
Many churches today are adopting dancing as part of worship, either in a performance type of setting, or at the extreme, a 'dancing in the spirit' thing. Some even have middle-eastern looking costumes to try to be as 'biblical' as possible. I see this to be a strange manner to create culture from nothing.
Singaporeans in particular are really weak in this area, because seriously speaking, we have no national culture at all. When I was studying in the US, it was embarassing for us Singaporeans whenever there is a international students' day or some celebration like that. People from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Malaysia could put up cultural dances, musical performances that are unique and enjoyable (those from Africa and Europe even more so); but us poor Singaporeans can only (and always) take up a guitar and sing some silly Chan Mali Chan song. We really have no cultural identity of our own.
In this, I believe dance is not part of our natural experience, and so do not see it as something we need to 'force' upon a worship service. It is simply not natural to us. I don't even see things like disco dancing as dance. We are simply ape-ing the west in all these.
Your question for example, would mean nothing to African-American churches (i.e. Black churches). In their worship service, they dance, clap, sing in various harmony and parts ever so naturally without the need to do endless rehearsals. It is something so inborn in their culture. Of course dancing is part of their worship experience - this is because it is part of their very lives!
Scripture tells us to worship God in spirit and in truth. We need to strive towards being truthful in worship. While song leading, backup dancing, etc can enhance the worship experience, those can get out of hand and replace the very meaning of worship with entertainment. Frankly, the best worship experience I have had have always been solemn worship services where I am to focus on God, and not trying to get a emotional high through staged performances.
I read with amusement some churches desire to 'claim back the entertainment world for Christ' or to 'express our love for God through dance'. In the first place, those are never part of our natural culture, so it is all a big invention by sleek marketing folks.
I say lets be natural and express ourselves naturally. Don't go inventing things that are not ours in the first place.