Controversy, bad theology, and depressing news are just a few of the reasons I try to avoid checking e-mail or getting on the internet first thing in the morning. Stuff like that tends to make my heart beat a bit faster, I get distracted from my priorities, and I get worked up and feel compelled to fight a battle that usually isn't mine.
But this battle is an important one, for us and our children.
Today's fast-hearbeat-inducing-story has to do with the highly praised Candace Cameron. She's acclaimed for maintaining standards of modesty while dancing with another man in a sensual manner on a show called Dancing With the Stars. And because she doesn't look exactly like the typical DWTS dancer, we're praising her. Yay! Finally here is a model of modesty.
And here we are speaking from both sides of our mouths as we tell our children to be in the world but not of it and then praise "stars" like this for their bit of restraint. There is no dying to self going on here, my friends, just because Cameron decides not to let it all hang out and doesn't get as sensual as she could while dancing with a man who is not her husband.
You can do your own search to see a clip of her dancing as well as pictures of her rehearsal outfit. Both instances should lead us to question why we think she's a role model of modesty and why her husband isn't bothered by her intimate moves with another man. And both should cause us to wonder why we're so easily pleased, and what kind of hypocrites we are to teach our daughters about modesty but embrace Cameron's very immodest heart and appearance.
Are we dwelling so much in the darkness that we don't know the light? Do we have such a low view of holiness that we've lost sight of what it really means to shine as a bright light in this very dark world?
With love,
Trisha
Making Your Home an Oasis
3 years ago
This is a test comment. Because The Rues love The Poffs and we want to make sure comments are working.
ReplyDelete:-( I like Candace Cameron Bure, but it's very sad to hear that she would have anything to do with a show like Dancing with the Stars. No, she should not be considered a role model for modesty.
ReplyDeleteTo me, this show is the epitome of the world, the skillfully-crafted sinful art of voyeurism in the name of entertainment based on America's pastime: cut-throat competition.
ReplyDeleteUgh. I agree with you, Trisha-- to the level the proverbial we have fallen by sighing with relief that CCB's "modest" rumba dance moves are her bottom line, "nuh-uh, not a step farther," there is only shame falling back on us. No, I'm not against dancing. I'm not against passion. I'm not even against passionate dancing (though I admit I don't know how to do the tango). But it is reserved for kitchens and bedrooms with but one man, my husband. Besides, why would I want anyone watching me step on his toes?
I agree with you, Trisha. So much. On Sunday my Pastor talked about the holiness of God- it is incomprehensible. But we, since we are His, are to be holy because He is holy. It is so sad to see so many Christians touting this whole thing as "good".
ReplyDeleteThe bar of expectation, when it comes to Christian holiness, is set so low. If it isn't pornography....if it isn't complete nudity...then it is considered conservative or "modest." How is an outfit and dance like that presenting our bodies as a holy sacrifice? I think that we are so dark and depraved and have such a disdain for absolute truth...our consciences are desensitized. I also found it interesting that on one of the news commentaries they did a poll "Is it ok to dance sexily with someone not your spouse?" 85% said yes! it was wrong. That surprised me. But why then would a Christian say/demonstrate otherwise? The influence this could/will have on young adult women is so disheartening.
ReplyDeleteI think we should be careful of judging those whose small steps of obedience are not a grand as we would like. Given the world she grew up in and lives in, I commend her for naming Christ, desiring to take a stand for him. Is she as modest ad I would want to be? No, but I would still applaud her for taking any stand for obedience.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous, Candace is not a teenager. She is a 37 year old woman who is called to walk worthy of her calling. Have been a Christian much of her life, it would be appropriate to believe she's feasting on meat now and not just milk. To take a stand of obedience? What does that mean? To even look on a woman and lust is to have committed adultery in one's heart, and this kind of dancing with another man who is not her husband before an audience of millions is to encourage sin. Where is the obedience to our call to be in the world but not of it?
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