Friday, August 31, 2007

Christian Tattoo's

So, my friend is dealing with a roommate that wants a Christian tattoo. You know, like a big cross on his back, or a picture of Jesus around his bicep? He wanted some advice.

What would you say?

Instead of being quick to speak, I went to the Sciptures (www.biblegateway.com).

So the Bible speaks of tattoo's twice. Once in Leviticus where it says, "No tattoo for you!" and once in Revelations where it says, "Jesus has one". The problem with saying NO to Tattoo's is that the Bible only prohibits it once and that is in the O.T. and the law is no longer binding on us. But before we all go and get a big tattoo of Jesus on our backs, we need to ask the question, 'why was that commandment there in the first place'. Is there any parallel wisdom that can carry over for us today? Being dogmatic where the Scripture is not, is never wise, but neither is being lackadaisical where the Scripture speaks. This issue isn't clear. But before getting your mark, ask yourself "Is this going to bring more glory to God, and less glory to myself?" If the Answer is Yes, and with a clear conscience before God you can get one, without causing a weaker brother to stumble, after much prayer and Scripture study, meeting with Godly men to affirm your decision... than happy tattooing! But as for me, I will stick with rub on, wash off tattoos!

6 comments:

CRAZY BLOOD said...

Sweet you got a blog. Looking forward to reading it.

Biz

tina said...

that's a tough question to answer!

Melissa-this-is-real said...

Hey Jonathan,
here is a qustion just like that...I have a friend who wants to get a Pearceing (on the Nose, lip, ect some were like that)....is that just like this because I know that the bible says that our bodies are temples and we should keep them clean...but is this pleaseing to god???

Firefly said...

Hi, I actually don't know you but was randomly considering getting a tattoo and doing the whole "let's type 'Christian Tattoos' into Google" thing to find different perspectives . . .

Anyways Google brought me to your page and I ended up reading some of your blogs, which were very encouraging as I am involved in youth ministry and I place high value on the truth from the Bible as opposed to what the contemporary church culture is prone to call "truth."

Thanks! It was a blessing.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading what you had written. I am a United Methodist. I have now 4 tattoos and I am 19 years of age and help teach a youthgroup at my church. My friend once told me. Your body is a temple so decorate it. I know some of you may disagree but, isn't a church God's temple and don't most church's have stainglass designs as windows? Just a thought that is all. Have a wonderful day, month, year and life

Anonymous said...

You can't really use Leviticus as a way of saying that tattoos are wrong especially since the marking of the body there is referring to a Pagan tradition where people would cut themselves to get in good with false gods. Now even if you do believe that Leviticus bans tattoos, how many still shave, cut their hair, and eat bacon or sausage with their eggs for breakfast?