Christian Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Focus on the Family

    Strengthening families through biblical principles.

    Focus on the Family addresses the use of biblical principles in parenting and marriage to strengthen the family.

  • Guest, Join Papa Zoom today for some uplifting biblical encouragement! --> Daily Verses
  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ

    Heard of "The Gospel"? Want to know more?

    There is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men, by which it behooves us to be saved."

Is Being Against Tatoos the Law?

Should Christians Have Tatoos?

  • Yes

    Votes: 6 21.4%
  • No

    Votes: 16 57.1%
  • Pontius Pilate (I wash my hands)

    Votes: 3 10.7%
  • Don't be silly!

    Votes: 3 10.7%
  • It's not the Baptist thing to do!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • The Church of the Enlightened Path does it!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    28

2024 Website Hosting Fees

Total amount
$905.00
Goal
$1,038.00
Quote,
"I think one has to look at it all from the vantage point of a broad perspective, assuming also that there is likely to be a diversity of opinions and tastes."

Your thought is accepted. I can't help being who I am and part of my training is in analysis. My "method" is to break things down into very small parts so that they may be examined. That's something that could lead others to see what I do as "nit-picking" if I were to leave it at that. But the second and crucial part of the "method" so-called, is to assemble the carefully examined pieces into a completed frame. That's the thing, that's the 'trick'.

So if I were to point to your statement and then note that we are speaking about a Law One and a Law Two confusion, and if I were not to then go on and explain, you would be rightly mystified by my reply. And if I were to belabor the point and say that the First Law is to Love God and that we are to love Him above all else, even our own selves? Well, you might be rather miffed at me because I would be casting you in a bad light, presuming to teach you something that you already know and actually demonstrate well.

So the "analysis" fails. But then when we continue to look at what you have said and categorize it into the 2nd Greatest Commandment, and do so with the Sure Knowledge that Our Father is Gracious and that He has already declared his love and care for you, then we may better consider the subject.

Confusion comes when we hold two (or more) opposing ideas in our hearts but do not assign priority. The ideas themselves are not the cause of our consternation. No. It is the improper assignment or lack of priority given to one over the other that causes the whirlwind to come. Our minds may shift, alternating between what seems to be condemnation and justification. But none of that is of God. We are to no longer be children and are to earnestly desire the pure milk of the Word. This is the nourishment that we all need.

That includes denying ourselves, obeying the law, following God with all our hearts and making room for others to do so even as they are led. Notice that I did not say, "As I am led." That is a presumption that shall not stand --for neither you, nor I-- may insist that we and we alone are correct. Rather let us agree that even in our disagreement (and I don't really insist that all tats are sin, I try not to be shallow like that) but even were we to disagree, let it be known that this is not an essential thing, not a salvation issue and certainly it is something that we can say, "Let's not go too far, here - right?" in.

So that's more about what I mean when I ask to be allowed to moderate. If, in the future, you take it upon yourself to give a summary position for this thread, I will want to insist that you do so fairly and objectively, and refrain from cherry-picking quotes that you like only.

And if that is too much to ask? Then simply refrain from giving one-sided "summary" statements just for the sake of peace and because I do ask so nicely.

I remain cordially your brother, firmly fixed in the admonishment that we love the brethren fiercely (even though in this I still fail),
Sparrow
 
Well, I think we are all in agreement.
Tatoos are against the law.
Therefore, we shouldn't have them.

I think this presupposes a certain relationship both between what Leviticus 19 refers to and what are known as tattoos today, and also between the Old and New Testaments, which are not necessarily self-evident to everyone contributing on the thread.

Blessings.
 
What's there to misunderstand?

Pagans got tattoos in honor and worship of their gods. They still do that to this very day. (Unlike other pagan observances like Christmas and certain beard trimmings).

God instructed his people to not worship Him the way the pagans worship their gods. Tattooing has never been a way that god says to honor and worship him. He said the very opposite.
 
Well, we are talking about the aim of glorifying God on the part of those under grace. I find it hard to discount possible blessing Bible ref.s written in ink on skin, but not those on ink written on paper.
 
Jethro: Yep. And he told others not to eat pork or touch a woman while she was 'unclean'. You're absolutely correct when you say that God never said we should get tattoos.
 
...but I eat pork. (Peter had a vision in Acts, whereby he was no longer to call unclean what God has cleansed.)

I guess some would say that a faith based tattoo design can be a sanctified use, that also is very effective.

Others would be more cautious, I guess.

Blessings.
 
Lol - Peter never ate, even though he was commanded by God three times! Not a single bite. That's not your best argument, Farouk. Not by a long shot.
 
Lol - Peter never ate, even though he was commanded by God three times! Not a single bite. That's not your best argument, Farouk. Not by a long shot.

God wasn't mistaken in what He said to Peter... :)

It's late; I'm off to bed. Good night, all.

Blessings.
 
I guess tatoos are okay.
My problem with it is that the world has gone nuts with tatoos and the church seems to be following suit.
Therefore, there is no separation.
However, it's really just a thing if you have the right frame of mind, but not everyone does.
 
What am I saying?
Tatoos are nothing to write home about.
I guess if you write on your arm, "I want a Christian burial", then it's okay.
 
Jethro: Yep. And he told others not to eat pork or touch a woman while she was 'unclean'. You're absolutely correct when you say that God never said we should get tattoos.
We now know these to be illustrations of spiritual realities.

With the spiritual realities these illustrations represented now being known and understood the illustrations can be laid aside. The reason tattooing was forbidden makes it impossible to apply the same 'illustration/ reality' understanding to the practice. Add to that the fact that the pagans are still doing it, and still doing it for the same reasons and you've got a solid case against Christians indulging the practice.
 
I think it will be twenty or thirty more years before tattooing really will be just a simple fashion statement like picking out a pair of shoes to where. Some people argue it's already that way, but I think an honest look from the outside will show tattooing is still steeped in the worship of the world's gods of rebellion, sensuality, and pride. Like I say, give it another twenty or thirty years. Then we'll be arguing if it's okay for a Christian to get a corset or some other unnamed practice of the pagans that some in the church will insist on copying.
 
God wasn't mistaken in what He said to Peter... :)
The Lord was speaking about Gentiles when He lowered the creepy crawly things and told Peter to eat. It wasn't just a pork chop. God cares for all people. He is our Father, the God of Nations. That's the vision and that's what Peter said when he explained it. He didn't take a single bite.

Again, citing this Scripture does not really help your argument. You want to say that it is okay FOR JEWS to get tattoos??? It's not. It's also not okay for them to eat swine's flesh and therefor okay to get tattoos. There are established Jewish authorities who you may consult if you don't care to believe me.

Okay, here it is again:
The Controversy Begins:
“Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved’” (15:1)

Sparrow's commentary: They were saying, "All people should obey God." They went on to say, "God commanded circumcision." They reasoned, "if people wanted the blessings of Abraham, they should act like the children of Abraham."

But...
Paul and Barnabus had a different opinion. The debate between the Pharisees and the Apostles began. Each time the Bible mentions the "Law of Moses" the reference is not to traditions but instead to the biblical books written by Moses. (Luke 2:22; Luke 24:44; John 7:22-23; Acts 28:23; 1Cor 9:9; Heb 10:28). Anyone who knew the teachings of Jesus already knew that unbiblical teachings were not to be required of anyone.

As far as we know, neither Cornelius nor his household were circumcised. But that's not the the issue that Peter raised. He spoke of the vision. How he had been instructed to no longer call unclean, what God has cleansed. If you want to insist that this is about your Sunday breakfast? So be it. I won't argue it further.

~Sparrow
 
Jethro,

What I hear you saying is that there are principles that have been established and taught and that these principles are from God. I would not want to confuse people about who I am and my relationship with the Lord. But if I came into an assembly and I stunk of alcohol and was carrying a bottle of Jack Daniels? Even though I have not had a sip of booze for more than twenty years? What should they think?

They should think that I am a drunken man, incapable of walking a straight line. Either that or they should think it is Halloween and I'm playing a part, but that second one? That's a stretch.

I'm not opposed to what farouk has been saying, neither am I saying that you must get a tattoo. What I do insist on, and will do so formally if need be, is that the Weightier Matters of the Law are not about small things. They are about Weightier Matters.

Another principle found in the Word is that we are to be wise. Let us therefore be wise in these and all things. Consider the outcome. Judge by the fruit. Shall we turn way those who have not been circumcised? Shall we require laser removal of tats before any can claim to be forgiven? God doesn't. I won't either.

~Sparrow
 
Last edited:
I disagree that tattoos can be a good witness tool. All of mine have been nothing but a hindrance to me. Following is why I feel this way.

Imagine if you will that each one of us is a large window made up of many smaller panes of glass. On one side of the window are Jesus and His glorious light and on the other side the darkness of the world. I would like to believe that all my panes are crystal clear and the light of God shining through is blindingly strong; however, unfortunately that is not the case. At times I struggle in my walk and that clouds some of the smaller pieces of glass and blocks some of God’s light. However, I know that as God sanctifies me my window will grow cleaner.

There are, however, several small panes that will never be completely clear, and those are the panes that have been painted over with tattoos. Tattoos are of the world and will always be seen that way. Non-believers that see my tattoos automatically think I am one of them and act accordingly around me. The same thing happens with fellow Christians. They see my tattoos and think I am of the world. With both groups I have to scrape away at the paint to let God’s light shine through to reveal the new creation I have become. This is an ongoing process because once I encounter new individuals; I have to start scraping all over again.

In my opinion, any tattoo, no matter the reason, will permanently paint over part of one’s window blocking God’s light, and to effectively witness to others we need as much of God’s light shining as possible.

If you don’t feel you have the ability to witness to others, please don’t use worldly practices to help you. Don’t paint over your glass, instead, fall on your knees and pray to God for the strength and courage to approach others boldly in His Name.

Be blessed.

Toby
 
Thanks for the contribution, tandemcpl (Toby)!

The thinking behind the decision to adorn oneself with tattoos and the idea, "Well, it could be used to GLORIFY God," almost sounds like a justification and rationalization to me. But I have to stop :nono myself and not say any more than 'this is what it sounds like (to me).' Our Father is very clear in His teaching that we are to consider our brothers and sisters in a way that gives as much weight to them as we give to ourselves.

Sometimes that's difficult. It cuts both ways. There are thorns on both sides of the discussion and the trick, if there is one, is to find a way that neither condemns --for we are forgiven indeed-- nor permits acts that could trip or mislead others. Along with self-denial we are admonished to take up our cross daily as we follow. That means we are to continuously have so much grace that we abound in it. But this grace is not meant to be taken as license to allow us to teach others falsity no matter how good it may seem in our sight.

Stones of stumbling are something to avoid personally but setting one in the path of another? That is something that we shall be judged for. Wisdom guides along the path.

Here's yet another view:

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,…

This is a recipe that counters Spiritual blindness. "But whoever does not have them [the qualities listed in part above] is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins."

~Sparrow

Commanded to fervently love the brethren, we ask, "Lord? Show us the way. It is Your Way. The Way. We need You to lead us and to cause us to turn for Your Ways are higher than ours." I ask that You spit in the dirt again, rub the paste again, anoint us, that we may see.

Jesus despised the shame of even being hung on a tree for that meant being accursed. That's how tender He was about His Father's Will. I trust the Holy Spirit to continue to work (gracefully) in me toward that end too, that I will also despise the very hint of that kind of thing.

Break the Law or love it? Ponder the 1st chapter of Psalms as this is considered. Please do not reply to me without first having read it to refresh yourself thereby.

Cordially,
Sparrow
 
Last edited:
Non-believers that see my tattoos automatically think I am one of them and act accordingly around me. The same thing happens with fellow Christians. They see my tattoos and think I am of the world.
It's interesting that you posted this yesterday.

After I made my post I was thinking to myself how I instantly think 'unbeliever' when I see tattoos, not 'Christian'.

Now I know that's not the criteria for determining if someone can be considered a brother or sister, or even if they are a good person or not, but as tand points out, tattooing is and always has been a pagan practice, not a Christian one, and explains the same first impression that tattooing gives to both unbelievers and believers alike.

I don't know how someone can think adopting an exclusively pagan practice can somehow show someone that they are a Christian and want to be a witness to the gospel. It reminds me of how Madonna used to be big on wearing her crucifix.
 
We see a tatoo, of the world.
We see a smoker, of the world.
We see a drinker, of the world.

We are the judgers, beware of us!

The New Pharisees!
 
We see a tatoo, of the world.
We see a smoker, of the world.
We see a drinker, of the world.

We are the judgers, beware of us!

The New Pharisees!

Well, exactly...

Not a reason to go out and get a tattoo, mind..., as if just to prove something...

It kind of works both ways, I guess.

Blessings.
 
Back
Top