The Annual Christians and Prom Question
It's that time of year again
Should Christian teens attend prom? Should Christian parents allow their kids to go?
Of course not.
I have half a mind to stop writing right there.
I could make the full case against prom here, but I’m not going to. If you’re looking for that, tune in to next week’s Think Deeper Podcast episode, as I’m saving my research for the recording. More than anything, I’m just tired of pretending that there’s a back and forth discussion to be had.
Frankly, one of the biggest problems in Christianity today is that we're so drenched in worldliness that we actually treat points like this as though they’re worth debating.
Instead, we should just say it how it is. If somebody genuinely doesn’t know why Christians shouldn’t participate in prom, we can plainly and patiently tell them. But I really doubt that such people exist.
Whether you agree with me or not, you know exactly where I’d go to back my claim. The burden of proof is on the pro-prom crowd to explain why all of those things are acceptable for a Christian.
One of the best things we as the church can do is to give clarity on these issues that face the average Christian.
Hemming and hawing, “hearing out all sides,” and thereby legitimizing practices like this is a costly error. We have to start assuming the center on obvious truths.
As we do so, clear, Biblical thinking about the world becomes easier for the people in the pews. And, we start teaching people to think according to obvious principles rather than bare minimum questions like “But is it a sin?” Reducing everything to that question is a tell-tale sign of immature Christianity. Asking for a list of dos and don’ts is for beginners. Having our senses trained to know right from wrong (Hebrews 5:11ff) is maturity.
Only asking if there’s a book/chapter/verse on a matter—and taking it as a green light to do whatever we want if there isn’t—keeps us from asking what would please God most. And when there is an obvious answer to that question, as there is with the issue of prom, then we need to just say it.
Notes
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I think most American Christians will push back against this. But I don't think most American Chris bother to think it through.
It's the same reason so many Christians lie to their children about things like Santa Claus. They'll say it's just harmless fun or it's no big deal.
My concern is more with following the herd with regard to dress and that's not just for prom. Christian parents are letting their daughters (and sons) dictate what they should be allowed to wear. Pictures from prom this year showed so many super short skirts and plunging necklines. Same thing with swim attire. There is certainly nothing wrong with modesty, it's Biblical, but apparently that topic is now out of style. I grew up in the 70s when mimiskirts arrived, but my parents said "No". We lived on the coast, yet I didn't have a swimsuit. And, I knew that prom, or any other dance, was out of the question. Letting our daughters dress in inappropriate clothing is letting them down. Not teaching them to honor God by dressing modestly is parent failure. I'm not talking about wearing "Little House on the Prairie" clothes, just covering up body parts that should not be seen in public.