by Brian
A ban on dancing had already been introduced before Calvin’s time, but it is true the regulations had been tightened. Calvin thought that since the way people touch each other in dance is nothing less than a first step to adultery, the purity of the body would be better safeguarded by the complete avoidance of dancing. Even if nothing untoward was to happen it was . . . in Calvin’s words, ‘an invitation to Satan.’
Herman J. Selderhuis, John Calvin: A Pilgrim’s Life, 151.
[…] To shift to another arena, traditionally conservative Christians have been against participation in dancing. More broad-minded people, including some professing Christians, have scoffed at this standard. An interesting observation on this point comes from a biography of John Calvin: “A ban on dancing had already been introduced before Calvin’s time, but it is true the regulations had been tightened. Calvin thought that since the way people touch each other in dance is nothing less than a first step to adultery, the purity of the body would be better safeguarded by the complete avoidance of dancing. Even if nothing untoward was to happen it was … in Calvin’s words, ‘an invitation to Satan.’”[1] […]
Don Johnson says
Hi Brian, found this one searching the internet on “Fundamentalist taboos” – preaching on the subject this Sunday, nice quote for an illustration, thanks.
Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3