Is there a need for more committed Christian tattooists?
I was reading a Christian discussion internet site and the question posed by one of the members was “Is there a need for more committed Christians tattooists?” The poster, obviously, held to the belief that tattoos are permitted for Christians and was looking for affirmation. I do not hold to the view that tattoos are acceptable within Christiandom. Here are my reasons why I believe the command in Leviticus 19:28 is applicable to Christians today.
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
The history behind this command had to do with God setting apart His people from the pagans. The reason is because tattoos had a history of being associated with the worst kinds of paganism. It is interesting to note that the pagan society of the Graeco-Roman civilization associated tattooing with the violent peoples like the Picts, Huns, Scythians. Also, Christian missionaries coming across new peoples attached or linked tattooing with the abhorrent practices like cannibalism. Even today, we see young people with tattoos covering their bodies and generally society associates them with deviant behavior. Previously, in our more recent western past, tattoos were generally only obtained by groups like sailors, bikers, soldiers, gangsters. Society generally regarded tattoos as something only the wayward would obtain. Even in our workplace today, companies are starting to require their employees to cover up their tattoos while on the job. Tattoos sends a message that the company does not desire.
Tattoos have an origin in paganism that even some pagans recognized as inherently bad. And again, while this is an Old Testament law given to the Israelites, the reason for this law is also applicable to the Christian; that is a set apart people. Are we not a set apart people that should avoid all forms of practices that has its origins in pagan worship? While the law certainly was given to God’s people, the Israelites, the concept of avoiding practices that has pagan origins certainly should apply to God’s people of today as it did in those days.
Secondly, Christians are commanded to avoid appearance of evil. I recall from several years ago a news report about these Christian men that had the bright idea of having their bible study at Hooters. They were insistent that the purpose of their study at Hooters was to reach the lost and they were able to concentrate on their studies despite the scantily clad women who served them. Even if they were able to ignore the scantily clad women and concentrate on their bible study, they had an appearance of evil. Even in today’s society, tattoos continue to have an association with nonstandard behavior. Society still looks at folks with tattoos and makes a judgment about that person and that judgment is hardly ever in the positive. That becomes evident when companies are now requiring their employees to cover up their tattoos when on the job. Tattoos does not make a positive impression, to the contrary, it has the appearance of evil even if no evil is intended. In fact a study demonstrated that the presence of tattoos and/or body piercings has been associated with behaviors such as drug use, sexual activity, risk taking and violent behavior. This study does not state that all people with tattoos engage in this behavior but that those that have tattoos have a higher incidence of this type of deviant behavior. While a person who has a tattoo is not necessarily engaging in this type of behavior, they may have an appearance of evil. I know that I, personally, see someone with a tattoo and make a judgment on their character much like I make that judgment on a person who shows up to church with cleavage showing. I also make that judgment on a Christian who lights up a cigarette in the church parking lot. In fact, I had a non Christian with me while someone did light up a cigarette and she said to me “I’m glad I’m not the only non-Christian here, I won’t feel so alone.” The cigarette smoker was a Christian.
Lastly, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” One must decide if God would allow His temple to be painted with art. Christians do not belong to themselves; we are a purchased people paid with the blood of Christ. Our bodies are not ours to do with as we please; our bodies belong to Him and are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Do we really believe that God would allow or condone taking His temple and, borrowing from pagan practices, paint or place artwork on His temple?
Peace!
I’m a Christian and I love tattoos! I’m getting 4.
I want to give you an opportunity to Give.
http://theriverjordan.net/just-give
Jordan.
LOL … doesn’t bother me if you get 1 or 100 and cover your body with them. I simply blogged my thoughts and if you disagree, that’s fine
Tattoos, and whether or not Christians should get them, is a discussion I’ve had with many of my friends. I have two. One of my roommates is against them. Another doesn’t see anything wrong with them, but doesn’t plan on getting any himself. Another thinks they’re cool, and if he ever comes up with a good one, will get it. Here are my thoughts on tattoos on Christians.
I don’t think that Christians should get tattoos. I don’t think that Christians shouldn’t get tattoos. In my mind, it’s the same as earrings, drinking alcohol, living in a house or an apartment, or even reading NIV or ESV. One doesn’t stand out over the other as right or better.
Your grip on Levitical law is impressive and spot on: they aren’t meant to cleanse the people themselves. Rather, the law was given to display the character of God and to set apart a people of His choosing. So yes, tattoos were forbidden to Israel, but so was eating meat or touching a woman within a certain amount of time after childbirth. The latter two are no longer applied, so why should the first one be?
The I Corinthians verse that you quoted is actually my rationalization for why it’s okay to get certain tattoos. Obviously anything profane, and in my opinion, anything frivolous, are not okay. But what is wrong with a tattoo that points people to the gospel? That honors God with your body?
On the inside of my right arm I have the words “simul iustus et peccator” tattooed in black script. It’s a Latin phrase that means “at once justified and a sinner.” Every time I look at it I am reminded of both my need for a Savior and the righteousness I have in Christ. (It helps me preach the gospel to myself.) In addition, when others ask about it, it’s a great opportunity to share deep truths of the fall and atonement with non-believers, as well as to remind believers of the truths of the gospel that we so often forget.
As to your arguments for cultural relevance, I always hesitate to do or not do something for those reasons. The gospel itself works against “cultural relevance” and popularity. All of our attempts to make the gospel relevant have really just diluted the message because it attempts to put the focus on us, the here and now, and what we do for God, not what Christ has done for us.
So while yes, there are tattoos that you just shouldn’t get, I believe that there is nothing inherently wrong with them. Rather, is the way they are being used honoring to God? It’s the same question we ask with drinking, music, and other questionables, but also the question we should ask about every aspect of our lives, be it recreational activities or the things we do with our friends. The things aren’t wrong in themselves, but the way we use them can be.
PS. Something to consider. Does Jesus have a tattoo? Revelation 19:16
Hi Andrew, the though process that I was coming from had to do with moral laws in the Old Testament. There are many laws in the Old Testament that are moral and binding on Christians that you won’t find in the New Testament yet I am sure that there is not a single Christian that would disagree. For instance, the laws on beastiality cannot be found in the New Testament nor the laws on prostituting one’s daughter. Now, I think that the tattoo law is a moral law but obviously some do not. If it is a moral law, then God does not change His mind on morality — it’s mankind that has changed the moral climate and made things that were once unacceptable acceptable. Moral laws are applicable and binding across the board, both to the Israelites and to the gentiles.
I guess it comes down to making a determination in one’s heart whether God meant the tattoo law as a moral law or merely as a separation law. By separation law, I mean setting the Israelites apart from the rest of the nations like not eating certain foods.
Peace!