Questions and Answers

The Bible doesn't forbid dancing when it's done properly. Psalms 149:3 and 150:4 speak of praising God with dance. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is a time to dance, and 2 Samuel 6:14 tells us that King David danced when the ark was being brought into the city.

As for why some teach against dancing, one reason is likely because many people don't dance properly. Some dance provocatively with sensual or sexual innuendos or suggestions by their movements. Some hold their partners too closely or touch in inappropriate places when dancing.

These types of dancing have given rise to the description of dancing as "hugging set to music."

Since music and dancing are by nature emotional expressions, dancing also has the potential to have sexual overtones that go against God's instructions about purity.

While there is no direct prohibition against dancing, we are told to live our lives in purity, moderation and as examples to others (1 Timothy 4:12 ; Matthew 5:14-16).

This means that if we choose to dance, we should conduct ourselves in accordance with these instructions.

Our word amen comes from a Hebrew word that has a similar pronunciation. Strong's Concordance defines the word as "verily, truly, amen, or so be it." Saying "amen" at the end of a prayer states our affirmation that what was just said is true and that we are in agreement with the prayer.

In addition, the Bible uses the word Amen as one of the names of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 3:14, the message to the church in Laodicea calls Jesus the "Amen." Its use here connects His name with truth and emphasizes that what is said in this message is true.

Jesus gave His disciples a model for prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. In this sample prayer, Jesus set the example of ending it with "amen." Since Christians are instructed to follow the example and steps of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21), we close our prayers with "amen" just as He did.

The term for assisting someone to die is euthanasia, from the Greek for "good death," referring to methods of bringing about painless deaths. Doctors have been in the news for assisting those who are elderly and/or suffering to end their lives. From time to time we hear of lawmakers debating whether to legalize euthanasia.

It is already legal in Holland and the U.S. state of Oregon.

The Sixth Commandment plainly states, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13 ). Human beings like to play mental games that reason around what God clearly and plainly states (see Proverbs 16:25 ). God, as the Giver of life, is the only one who can legitimately take it away—or direct someone else to do so. Murder is taking this divine prerogative to oneself—killing without God's permission. That includes the so-called mercy killing of someone who is suffering. Indeed, suicide is wrong for the same reason.

The Bible upholds the sanctity of human life. Life is to be highly respected! Life is precious!

There are many times when God allows a person to suffer before dying. Suffering can teach us many lessons. But there is no scripture that allows us to reason that it might be okay to painlessly take someone's life because he or she is suffering. The same goes for taking our own lives.

For more on what God's law says about murder and to help put present sufferings in perspective, send for or download our free booklets and