JK Wedding Entrance Dance makes me cry.
Watch this popular video below and see if you can tell me what’s wrong in this video.
At first glance it looks like a fun video. People are dancing and having a good time. The mood is a mood of celebration. This happened in St. Paul, Minnesota.
But as the video plays and the dancing fools make their way down aisle you can’t help but notice the little cross in the background. The female pastor is standing on the stage with all the candles lit and in the middle of it all and barely able to see it but yet it is still there is the cross. At the foot of the cross is a large wedding party who have no clue as to what is about to take place.
If they had done this at the ‘anouncement’ at the beginning of the reception I would have no problem with that. But there is nothing to celebrate before a wedding. The couple is about to make vows before Almighty God. They spent more time putting that dance together than considering the promises they are about to make.
Why does this video clip bother me so much? I prayed about it but I kept coming back to Hebrews 13 that says this, “Marriage must be honored by all…”
The primary purpose of marriage is to bring glory and honor to God. In fact marriage is one of the primary God ordained means by which we give glory to God. Simply put, marriage brings glory to God. The primary purpose of marriage is not comfort, sex, or even to replenish the earth. Those are secondary in relation to the first purpose of bringing glory to God.
As this couple in the video is about to be united as Husband and Wife and make vows before God, the focus of this wedding is all about having fun without any reverence or concern of God’s glory. In the video the cross almost looked like it was ‘in the way’.
I think that sums up my generation. The ‘cross is in the way’ of everything. The cross is in the way of the world’s desires, goals, pleasures, attitudes, and purposes. These dancing fools are all concerned about the spotlight on them and not Jesus Christ.
I think of this section of Scripture in Luke 7:31-23
“To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
” ‘We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.’
Jesus is comparing his generation to a group of kids who only want to play games and think life is just a game and treat it as such. Jesus is talking about the Pharisees and Sadducees in context. They tried very hard to get John the Baptist and Jesus to play ‘their games’ but neither one of them would do so. Jesus refused to play the games of the world. Followers of Jesus Christ it is essential we stop playing the games of the world.
Oh Wade lighten up, it’s just a wedding video and they were having fun. I refuse to play that worldly game. My generation is dancing their way straight to hell and they are laughing all the way.
This video made me weep halfway through it when I saw the shadow of the cross in it. Marriage must be outward focused meaning living each day to bring glory to God not inward focused. The world wants me to “lighten up” about Marriage and the purposes that God has for marriage. I cannot compromise ever the idea of allowing anything to rob God of His glory and His purposes.
World, when you play your flute…I will not dance. When you sing your dirge….I will not cry.
I will not play your games.
For His Glory,
-Wade
Let me know what you think!
Last 5 posts by Wade Lowrey
- Soldiers Surprsing Their Loved Ones - June 11th, 2010
- Happy Hour Vs. Oh Happy Day - June 8th, 2010
- Nick Vujicic Christian A Powerful Testimony - June 7th, 2010
- Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices - June 5th, 2010
- Contending With An Almighty God - May 13th, 2010
32 Responses to “JK Wedding Entrance Dance – What is Wrong With This Video?”
Hey Wade…Thanks for posting the video hadn't seen it. I loved it. I think it is great. And I do honor marriage. In fact just got through preaching four weeks on the topic. The last of which was all about what I believe it is the God's first purpose for marriage…it is a picture to the world of the relationship between Christ and the church. And I believe on the day Jesus comes to get his bride…the refrain of that song…"I've been waiting my whole life…" would be a good one to sing.
You have a right to your opion on the matter…but I do want to challenge one of your thoughts…you made this comment…"They spent more time putting that dance together than considering the promises they are about to make." Unless you know them…and have spent the last 6 months in their heads…you have no idea how much time they have spent pondering the mystery of God taking two spirits and making them one.
You said there was nothing to celebrate before…I disagree. Just as we each and every week come together in worship and share in communion in anticipation of the day when the bridegroom appears…anticipating the greatness of what God is going to do…is just cause to dance.
Thanks again.
Jason, just a thought would you consider possibly posting parts of your 4 part wedding series as a 'wedding series' here at Daily Jesus to share with the Christian community and bless us online.
I think it would be a great blessing! Just a thought, let me know what you think!
-Wade
Jason,
Excellent comment! I rejoice that you shared with your congregation a 4 week series on Marriage. I also agree that marriage is also a picture of Christ and His church. That is both sacred and precious.
I would have to disagree though on just a minor point though. You made the comment of 'unless I know them and have spent the last six months in their heads I have no idea'. While I admit I do not know them nor have I spent the last six months in their heads, I do not believe those are biblical qualifications to make a decision to call out when 'irreverence' is taking place.
In fact in the post I referred to Mark 7:31-32. Jesus finishes that teaching making the statement 'wisdom is proven right by her actions'.
In that phrase does Jesus suggest I need to personally know them and crawl inside their head for six months before I take into consideration what they are all about? No, Jesus says all you need to do is look at their actions. I believe that is what I did. This couple thought the dance was the highlight and most important part of the service. Did the clip include their vows to God and towards one another? No. This clip is the 'couple's youtube site not somebody else's and nowhere else on their youtube site are the vows or the wedding ceremony.
I also (again i'm not writing this to 'strongly disagree, i have no doubt that you hold marriage high) while I do agree 100% that what God has done, is doing, and will do is just cause to dance…what took place in that video was not celebrating anything Holy. It was a secular song and the focus was on them to entertain during what should of been a very sacred moment. You mentioned 'when the bridegroom appears' and it makes me think of Matthew 25. 10 Virgins, 5 were foolish and 5 were wise. All ten were waiting on the bridegroom. 5 instead of over-celebrating understood what was at stake and decided to prepare for the bridegroom's arrival and 5 did not. What were the other 5 doing, i don't know but I do know that 5 spent their time to prepare.
I would say that while we have much to celebrate, all of what God has done, is doing, and will do; that moves me to spend more time preparing for the arrival of the bridegroom rather than an excess of celebration because as the 5 virgins understood, the party only truly begins when the bridegroom arrives.
Jason,
On a lighter note…it is never 'just' cause to dance when it is 'me' dancing. It is so not a pretty picture!
You doth protest too much. I find your religious spirit to be judgemental from the very fact the you indeed do not know this couple. Simple because they chose not to post the vows themselves does not allow you to take the great leap to your judgements. Simple because this couple chose to celebrate in a way you are not accustomed to does not mean they are less connected to the One True and Mighty God.
that was very judgmental!
I confess I wrestled with that a lot before I posted that. You point is not taken lightly. God Bless.
Great, Jason! I'm glad that God sent you here to be the judge of these people, especially when you don't know what actually happened at the ceremony after the video ended. Just remember that you get to set the measure by which you will be judged (Matt 7:2). Then, of course, there was that horrible thing that David did in 2 Samuel 6:14.
Jason,
My thoughts are with you on this one. It's easy to let yourself be drawn in to the fun uplifting beat of the song. It's much harder to be sober-minded and consider the cross. Thank you for posting this and for sharing. The reference you made regarding Matthew 25 was great!
~Jennifer Szczyrbak
NO….not Jason, I meant WADE. Sorry for the confusion over names.
Perhaps a few links to other things I've written on the subjects at hand would aid in clarifying my points…I do think at the core of things we're far more united than divided!
http://godmotivation.blogspot.com/2008/09/god-mot...
http://godmotivation.blogspot.com/2008/10/god-mot...
http://godmotivation.blogspot.com/2008/08/god-mot...
Wade an excellent example of the way that even many modern church's view marriage today. It's taken lightly, it's significance and purpose are not emphasized. The very fact that the woman "pastor" thought it was "neat" and didn't point out to the couple that it may be best left until the reception of at least after the ceremony was over shows the great irreverance for God's HOLY Matrimony.
Frankly, this makes marriage look like a big fat JOKE. Something that can be entered into lightly and exited lightly as well. Think of the children attending that wedding. What idea did they get about the nature of marriage?
They are entering into a lifelong covenant with not only each other, but also with GOD. They are entering into a covenant CREATED BY A SOVEREIGN GOD, one that was compared to the relationship of Jesus Christ and his Church. We are not only promising many things to each other here, we are promising to God.
The above video is a disgrace to marriage. It takes lightly what God does not take lightly.
From what I see, this isn't about the people. This is about the church- what is next? Platform diving into the baptismal? Have ushers toss the bread during communion? Instead of passing cups of wine we could do body shots? I believe that a wedding ceremony should be about an obedience to God. Following Gods commands, not a light moment, nor a moment for saying "look at me" how about look at God.
In my home country very many marriages aren't held in churches or with a priest. (very few people really attend the church on regular sundays) Its just about the Paper and "having fun" afterwards. I think marriage is not to seperate with religion… but that's just how i feel.
I didn't listen to the text of the song (i actually rarely do that) but how about the option: they choosed to show their happiness, faith, love… in a dance and music they present not only to the audience in the church but also to God?
For me it looks like an american way of wedding, because in Switzerland i'm used to a very cold climate in churches (not the temperature, but the atmosphere), and by this i mean: with bringing in some joy (and if that is for the right reason) i see nothing wrong in that.
Agreed, Astrid…….these kids are exhibiting their joy of their union. The fact that it is unorthodox and uncustomary flies in the face of orthodoxy. Especially orthodoxy that has no joy. I am not an expert but don't Jewish wedding celebrations include very lively dancing and exhibitions of joy? Who are we to say, based on only what we see in the video, that these kids did not go through a very spiritual preparation for their vows? Me, I have no problem with dancing before our Lord and Saviour. With a timbrel!
There are so many unknowns here. Are they Christians? If so, are they dancing in celebration to honor God as David did? If they are truly converted Christians then it boils down to motive and purpose. If not, then it really doesn't matter, does it? They are condemned already and are dead in their trespasses and sins unless the Lord saves them.
Loving Jesus Christ is a constant celebration in my heart! Because of Him, I always feel like dancing!
Wow, a lot of great comments and things to think about. A few things come to mind.
1. The idea that I do not know their motives.
Today on Good Morning America, Jill Heinz (the bride in the video) said that she had this planned even before she met her now husband Kevin. What does this mean? Nobody was going to tell her how to 'run HER wedding'. If that does not confirm whom this wedding was all about I'm not sure what would.
2. Joy and Worship
I've seen the words joy and worship used in some of the comments. First I agree that as John told the women at the well God is not worshipped in a building but rather in Spirit and in Truth.
But let's be clear what is going on in this video clip is not worship, well at least worship to God. The idea here is not worship but aworship or perhaps un-worship which is irreverence.
Also the idea of of Joy. Does joy cause us to dance? But the list of things that cause us to dance is not limited to joy. Also, is this really the joy of what Christ has done that is making them bust a move for Jesus?
3. Dancing
Oh this is a fun subject for Christians! I was in a church service about nine months ago and during the middle of worship service an african american man came to the front dressed in his Sunday best and danced with joy before the Lord. I honestly confess it was one of the most beautiful acts of worship I had ever witnessed in my life. It was done with such excellence and elegance. It brought tears to many people that night. I'll never forget that. It was so pure and genuine. He did this for about ten or fifteen minutes. It was also done with such reverence.
This clip was 100% the opposite of that.
Let's ask this question: would what have took place in that video been allowed in the church 50 years ago? Why?
Would what of happened in that video been allowed in the church 100 years ago? How about 200 years go? Or 500, 1000, 1500, or even 2000 years ago?
The next question is why not? Are we to assume that for 2,000 years nobody in the church has ever experienced joy, especially at a wedding?
Only now Christians have enough joy to finally 'dance' during a wedding ceremony? Would Spurgeon, Luther, Aquinas, Augustine, or the early church fathers allowed 'dancing to a bar/pub song' to 'start off a wedding ceremony? oh and yes every culture has their bar/pub songs. Has every woman who has ever walked down the aisle for 6,000 years been without joy in that moment?
Here's something to think about: Up until a few decades ago, every woman who has ever been married 'covered' their face while walking down the aisle with a wedding veil.
This clip was paganism running wild in a church. It had nothing to do with honoring God and seeking His blessing upon the union.
Also if dancing is so 'essential' to joy why is it never mentioned in the New Testament as a response to either salvation or worship to God. Why isn't it mentioned even once? Am I to conclude that the New Testament Church had no joy? King David was able to do it and the above mentioned man that i witnessed pulled it off. I think it is next to impossible to pull off dancing before the Lord in such a pure and worshipful way that does not draw attention to yourself that for the most part only a handful of people are able to pull it off and probably only once or twice. I would be the first to confess it would take a humility that I know I do not have but will seek and pray to be there.
Regardless of our opinions on the clip may all of us hold Marriage high and understand who marriage is really about and who it must glorify.
- Wade
To your point #1 – I watched the Today show clip. There is no way you can say what her motive was other than that she always wanted to dance down the aisle when she married as a sign of celebration and expressing her joy. You have taken a far leap again to assume anything more than that.
To your other points – you pontificate from your own orthodoxy and are not willing to believe that others can worship God outside your set of "rules".
Respectfully, dear sir, have put the Almighty God that we serve in a box. A box that you want to control.
mmm, I respect that. At the end of the day if that is why she did it, that is great. I would encourage you to read the 'full interview' that was not shown on tv in full.
It is not my intent to put God in a box nor is it even possible. I am curious though as to what in your opinion would be 'too much' for a wedding ceremony.
I am a wedding coordinator at my church. My philosophy, regardless of my personal likes/dislikes, is to allow the couple to decide how they want their ceremony to be conducted within the confines of the perimeters set out by my church leadership. It is THEIR day. A day to celebrate God's grace and blessing in their lives. If a couple wants something done that is NOT within the church perimeters, they can opt to find another venue.
Whether we agree or disagree with what occurred in this ceremony, it is not our place to condemn them based on a partial video or partial reiteration during an interview after the fact.
I hold this view….this couple is walking in all the Truth they know….we are not to condemn.
Me? My ceremony was outside, at a historical home beneath ancient trees. I wore a Stevie Nicks style white dress, no veil, and I was married by a distinguished, respected, conservative minister. For I am a religious conservative. Perhaps more tolerant than some.
(correction in point 1one of my last post as "Jesus told the woman at the well in the book of John)
Wade,
Dear brother, I do appreciate so much of your commentary and hear your heart as you long for people to be Christ focused and driven to worship Him as they look at the cross. I share your sentiment when it comes to both the sacredness and symbolism of marriage. But I'm not sure if the zeal that we share leads us to quite the same conclusions in this case.
To be sure, my wife and I did not choose to celebrate in this way (in part because I'm way too concerned about what people think when they see me, self-focused guy that I am!), and probably for Christians this would not be the best way to draw people's attention to the Christ that they serve…but we don't know if this couple really knows Christ as Savior. If they do not, our sadness should be focused on that point and not on their decision to bust a move on their way in to their ceremony.
Additionally, I think we need to be careful focusing on the location of their dancing, that it could be OK in one place and not in another. As we worship "no longer on this or that mountain" but in spirit and truth, the condition of our hearts must be equally cross-centered whether in the sanctuary or the reception hall with actions then following. Yes, I know taking this to the extreme could lead people to think and do things that would be much out of step given their location. For instance, it was completely good for the couple to consummate their marriage only in their "marriage bed". My point is that simply we must have the right view of holiness and not associate it too closely with a geographic location.
Finally, my concern for those who do not know Christ coming to this post is that the best care taken to show Christ to them might not have been shown. There is a fine line here and God can and will do as He pleases in the end, but our faithfulness in pointing others to Him is something we must do with care and wisdom. On our home page is written, "At Daily Jesus let’s seek to glorify Him together as He enables us to make disciples." I believe that you believe that! What we may have some slight disagreements about is whether or not the commentary above is the best way for such to take place.
Meaning all the best and appreciating your heart and hard work on this site,
Seth
Seth,
I appreciate your input here!
Good discussion being generated…may it all move our focus more and more to the Savior!
First of all, this article so full of contradictions and assumptions it makes you look like a complete ass.
"But there is nothing to celebrate before a wedding. " There is everything to celebrate before a wedding. A wedding is supposed to be a happy joyous occasion with much celebrating. If you are not enjoying life , then what is the point of it? Surely God would want you to enjoy life? I would think they are honoring God and giving him more glory by doing what they did.
"They spent more time putting that dance together than considering the promises they are about to make." How do you know? Were you there? Do you know them personally and personally know how much time they spent into each piece of their wedding? Be able to back up your assumptions before you judge, after all isn't judgment only supposed to be passed by your Almighty God?
Simply put: your opinion and this article is diluted and skewed by your own blind assumptions and bias opinion.
Mr. Lowrey–
I sincerely appreciate the moderate responses and tone you have with the folks who are commenting here; it's good to see reasonable discussions occurring *somewhere* on the web.
I feel compelled to throw my opinion into the mix, too.
I agree with other posters–you do not know this couple, or the wedding party in question. They are not breaking a biblical commandment, even the Hebrews 13 verse you mention about "Marriage being honored by all" [sic]. Dance can be a way of demonstrating honor. It is also a way of demonstrating pure joy, friendship, and worship. When I saw this video, that is what I took away from it–a group of family and friends who were overjoyed by this wedding. I would be honored if my friends and family celebrated so heartily with me on my wedding day.
I hardly think that dancing down an aisle on the way to one's wedding constitutes foolishness or a heart that desires to overshadow the Cross. That is a fairly dangerous presumption to make, again, not knowing this couple personally (and even if the bride has been wanting to do this since before she met her groom, how does that make her self-serving? Perhaps dance is the way she expresses her joy.).
You do strike an important note about "our generation" often behaving in a frivolous, immature fashion–and it is tragic. However, remember Romans 12:15? We are commanded to weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice.
Again, they're not breaking a biblical commandment, and obviously, they received permission from the church to create their entrance dance–really, who is this hurting?
Rejoice with them, sir, pray that their marriage will continue to be one of joy and togetherness.
I have a sincere question regarding the statement "The primary purpose of marriage is to bring glory and honor to God' and the question is this:
Why does God need us to glorify him? Needing to be glorified and worshiped seems to imply that he has low self-confidence or is insecure, which, being omiipotent, he clearly is not. Why then does he need us to constantly glorify him?
I agree with Wade. And I lament the decision-making of these vain ruffians. Their actions were most unsavory in the eyes of the Lord.
2 Kings 20:18 "And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, that will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."
And the Lord told you this personally?
Any one of us can cite from the Word of God to support our position. My point is that we do not know the hearts of these kids. We, therefore, should not condemn them nor call them pagans, lest we ourselves be judged. Woe to you, you brood of vipers.
Couldn't finish the video… I would agree.. this would be a GREAT dance for a reception. but for the wedding.. call me old fashioned… or wait.. Call this Crazy. I'm not married, but I know that marriage isn't something to go dancing to techno down the aisle to.
I feel like, because you are making vows before your Father, There's a bit of solemnity to the occasion. YES there's joy. YES there's happiness. And YES it's exciting! Two people are becoming ONE! But there's better ways to do it than turning a church into a club. and don't get me wrong, techno music is great.
After watching the video and reading through the comments, I am left with a multitude of feelings, some of which are difficult to even articulate.
I have always felt marriage was/is a covenant between two people. Marriage is an important step, one that should not be entered into “lightly.” But in today’s world, very few things are taken seriously. Rather than a (everlasting) covenant, we view marriage as temporary, disposable, and if it doesn’t work, there is always divorce.
And yes, David danced before the Lord. I’m not sure the members wedding party in the video are “dancing before the Lord.” At least, worship doesn’t seem to be their intention.
Having said all that, I do pray that their marriage will be one of love, joy and peace. I am concerned about the foundation they have chosen to build on.
I have closed the comments to this section. While I have tried to allow some good 'discussion' to appear on the page and to have a variety of opinions it is now getting to the point where some wish to only 'defame' the person, nature, and name of Jesus Christ.
Daily Jesus seeks first and foremost to exalt Jesus and not ourselves. It is now time to close the comments based on some comments recently published that do not appear here. While we are always open for discussion we will not allow the name of Jesus to be dragged through the mud.
Thanks for the variety of opinions expressed here thus far as the post author I have taken each comment to heart.