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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
hard rock? as in ccm or like stryper? can you explain that more. I don't mind the music of that style if its lyrics are ok but I can see where the church would go south with that. ie a show with mosh pits etc.
 
I love the secular rock music of the (early) 70's. But I knew when I became a Christian in '86 that it had no place in spiritual worship of God. The church had even resisted hard rock music in it's mainline churches for a long time, but now it seems to be a staple of the evangelical church (to draw numbers in).
I've sure got to agree with this. Brother Gene Hawkins gave the following teaching as a part of our assembly's summer youth camp.

Ecclesiastes 1:8 "The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing." And that is fulfilled over and over and over again in our day. We can look back, some of us to movies that we have back in the fifties, and the sixties; they're nothing like what you're finding today, and most of what has been expanded is the ungodliness of those movies. And in the end they put disclaimers on them, they then begin to put ratings on them because they knew that they were simply not fit for some people to watch. The eye is not filled with seeing; you can't satisfy the flesh, I don't care what you do. It just waxes worse and worse; same way with the music if that's what you want to call this noise that they now call music. It is ungodly, and for those of you who think that you're going to be satisfied with rock music, you are not. Rock music was designed to be addictive, and that's what Solomon is saying here; "The ear is not filled with hearing." you are never going to get filled up and satisfied with that music. You're always going to want something more. There is a void that only God can fill, and Solomon recognized that as he said the ear is simply not filled with hearing.

So "It's better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools." This is something that is going on in the church as a whole today because the rebuke of the wise once again is a reference to the word of God, but the song of fools is something that the church has chosen to have. We have said for quite some time that singing, and that's this contemporary rock music that is in the church, that is not of God and I make no apology for making that statement, but we find out that this kind of thing is replacing God's word in the church, and it absolutely is not going to accomplish anything spiritual at all. It may grab all of the crowds and all of these things, but it is not going to make a spiritual church.

Now in so far as music, and I know this is a very touchy subject with people so I say these things with my eyes wide open, but I will tell you that this modern contemporary music is not of God, and some will argue that, and you have that right; you can do that all you want to but the scripture tells us that either you make the root good and the tree good, or they're both together bad. The roots of rock music are not good. It started back the very terminology rock and roll is sexual terminology, the founders of that music, the originators of that music tell us that it was born out of absolute rebellion. It came from the age of the sixties and they knew exactly what they were doing. They wanted to stir up the soulish nature, they wanted to stir up the body and that's exactly what they did. That's why you find all these gyrations in the body when it is playing. Well don't think you can bring that into the church and get any other result out of it. There were those back in the sixties, the Jesus movement, and the Jesus freaks, and all of this and we were absolutely thrilled to death when we heard many of those of not only being saved in the hippy movement, they were also filled with the Holy Ghost. And some of us were just elated because goodness, now they have that glorious power just like I told you before today to understand the glory of the depths of the word, but they didn't do that. They went rather with the outward demonstration especially on the gifts of the Spirit and those things, and they really did not go into the depths of the word, but the thing was they didn't want to leave their music. They themselves said: this is what identifies us from the rest of society. And so instead of leaving that music behind they took the music and they tried to add so-called spiritual or scriptural lyrics to it, but it did not work. This is what you have in the churches today; contemporary music.
 
But I think it was you that said that many of the Christian hard rock band members have gotten themselves tattooed, right?
At times through this thread I've been wondering to myself how tattooing got brought into the church.

I think I have my answer. Thank you.


I love the secular rock music of the (early) 70's. But I knew when I became a Christian in '86 that it had no place in spiritual worship of God. The church had even resisted hard rock music in it's mainline churches for a long time, but now it seems to be a staple of the evangelical church (to draw numbers in).

I would be completely demoralized about how the church has become so puffed up with the leaven of worldliness but I know that Jesus said this is the way it was going to be. Our goal is to be able to stand before God knowing we had no part in helping that happen.
[MENTION=88699]Jethro Bodine[/MENTION]: Why not discuss musical styles - and your denunciations of some of them - on the threads about music?
 
in general, I believe that all too often the contemporary Christian music label is all about the $$$ and not the Lord. not all of the musicians are bad.
 
Guys, this is about tattoos; there are already other music threads...
This is about tattoos and the law which has long ago strayed from the OP. Possible time to close the thread? You even associated musicians with tattoos as if that somehow makes it alright.
 
Guys, this is about tattoos; there are already other music threads...
This is about tattoos and the law which has long ago strayed from the OP. Possible time to close the thread? You even associated musicians with tattoos as if that somehow makes it alright.

I talked about tattoos, plus...

Guys are now talking about everything except tattoos... :chin
 
The law? People list their objections to them citing what may be a superficial reading of the Old Testament. Some Christians view them positively in that faith based designs - they feel - can help in witness.
 
The law? People list their objections to them citing what may be a superficial reading of the Old Testament.

And the same again may be said about both sides of the issue. But really? Can we now say that Paul was one of those who gave 'superficial' understanding of the Old Testament? I would say no and that he clearly established once and for all the fulcrum upon which such matters may rightly hang. We are told to refrain from making judgments that support "us" or that express our side only but instead to proclaim righteous judgments, those that are upright regarding all and not just self. That is part of the mind of Christ which I hope to see form in all here. There are forces pitted against that happening, but these are not forces of flesh and blood.

Where is the admonition to consider the conscience of a weaker brother in this discussion? That is the fulcrum that stands upon which we may hang our instruction to others. Tilting the scale toward one side or another is an abomination called "having an unbalanced scale". Seriously, that practice is called an abomination. Do me a favor and prove what I've just said. I don't want to argue and would want to enlist the help of those who may feel opposed to prove the truth and sell it not.
 
This next is part of the strong meat that Paul would consider. As such he said that those who are dependent on the "milk" of the word might not (regrettably) be able to digest it. Go to the 2nd chapter of Hosea and consider what the "Valley of Achor" is and could mean.

We currently have a thread open on this subject in the Focus on Scripture area and it is my thought there that it applies. There is a hope that is the stage where God desires to perform a work in our hearts. We can not go there until that right time which I pray is soon.

At the time of the prophecy delivered through the faithful prophet Hosea, Israel is without a king, without sacrifices, without a temple, without a priesthood. That same condition has been that way and remains for they missed the coming of their King who appeared in the clothes of a servant Priest, but there’s coming a day when their hearts, our hearts, are going to be changed and we, as the Body of Christ, will seek our Messiah—Jesus, The Christ. That same time is here for those who seek today to have Jesus enthroned in their hearts.

The Spirit and the Bride say "Come."

Let ALL WHO HEAR say, "Come."
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[MENTION=88699]Jethro Bodine[/MENTION]: Why not discuss musical styles - and your denunciations of some of them - on the threads about music?

We can talk about it here if we use it as a comparison to tattoos.

Like a lot of things, tattoos in and of themselves are a big nothing. It's the matter of bringing them into our worship of God that presents a problem.

For example, a bikini is, in and of itself, nothing. But we know to keep it out of the church and away from our worship of God.

We all could make a long list of things that are nothing, but which we know to keep out of the church.

Get the picture?

For arguments sake, let's say hard rock Christian musicians is where tattooing came into the church. This would be a good illustration of 'a little leaven leavens the whole lump'. We compromised and accepted their music. Now we're dealing with Christians copying their worldly practice of tattooing. A practice, that in and of itself is nothing, but which, like a lot of other 'nothings', has no place in the worship of God.
 
The law? People list their objections to them citing what may be a superficial reading of the Old Testament.

And the same again may be said about both sides of the issue. But really? Can we now say that Paul was one of those who gave 'superficial' understanding of the Old Testament? I would say no and that he clearly established once and for all the fulcrum upon which such matters may rightly hang. We are told to refrain from making judgments that support "us" or that express our side only but instead to proclaim righteous judgments, those that are upright regarding all and not just self. That is part of the mind of Christ which I hope to see form in all here. There are forces pitted against that happening, but these are not forces of flesh and blood.

Where is the admonition to consider the conscience of a weaker brother in this discussion? That is the fulcrum that stands upon which we may hang our instruction to others. Tilting the scale toward one side or another is an abomination called "having an unbalanced scale". Seriously, that practice is called an abomination. Do me a favor and prove what I've just said. I don't want to argue and would want to enlist the help of those who may feel opposed to prove the truth and sell it not.

Whether the word superficial is the right one, I don't know; maybe it isn't.

I'll tell you what I was referring to anyway.

In Lev. 19, almost adjacent to the reference to cutting for the dead is the prohibition of trimming the corners of beards. Do preachers shave? What I meant was, if one takes a phrase from the passage and tries to apply it now, irrespective of possible dispensational context, while ignoring what it says in the next verse: this is less than satisfactory and does no service to a weaker brother, either.

Superficial/unsuperficial? I'll leave that word aside, but the above explanation is what I was referring to.

Blessings.
 
I answered no to the Question “Should Christians have tattoos?†only because there wasn’t a choice that read, “Should Christians “get†tattoos?â€
<O:p</O:p
I don’t believe Christians should get tattoos, but many have them, including me.
<O:p</O:p
I have several tattoos, all of which I got before I gave my life to Jesus and He has forgiven me for every one of them. The tattoos, like the alcohol addiction, porn addiction, and infidelity, were all part of my former ignorance that I have been instructed to avoid.
<O:p</O:p
Peter wrote, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,</SPAN> but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.†1 Peter 1:14-16
<O:p</O:p
We may not be bound by Old Testament laws such as Lev. 19, however, we are to be obedient to God, and His word clearly states, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers,<SUP value='[a]'> </SUP>by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.<SUP value='[b]'> </SUP>Do not be conformed to this world,<SUP value='[c]'> </SUP>but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.†Romans 12:1-2
<O:p</O:p
Be blessed.
<O:p</O:p
Toby
 
I answered no to the Question “Should Christians have tattoos?†only because there wasn’t a choice that read, “Should Christians “get†tattoos?â€
<O:p</O:p
I don’t believe Christians should get tattoos, but many have them, including me.
<O:p</O:p
I have several tattoos, all of which I got before I gave my life to Jesus and He has forgiven me for every one of them. The tattoos, like the alcohol addiction, porn addiction, and infidelity, were all part of my former ignorance that I have been instructed to avoid.
<O:p</O:p
Peter wrote, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,</SPAN> but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.†1 Peter 1:14-16
<O:p</O:p
We may not be bound by Old Testament laws such as Lev. 19, however, we are to be obedient to God, and His word clearly states, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers,<SUP value='[a]'> </SUP>by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.<SUP value='[b]'> </SUP>Do not be conformed to this world,<SUP value='[c]'> </SUP>but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.†Romans 12:1-2
<O:p</O:p
Be blessed.
<O:p</O:p
Toby


Hi [MENTION=88442]tandemcpl[/MENTION]: I like your post, and I would tend generally to sympathize with a lot of what you say.

What I would observe also is that some Christians honestly think and find that, say, a Christian fish sign on a wrist, for example, can be helpful in witness; this I would be hard pressed to be critical of, myself.

Blessings.
 
PS: for example, this is what [MENTION=93407]Kaileymarie[/MENTION] said:

Kaileymarie said:
Lately I've been thinking of a small anchor on my wrist, as a reminder of the hope we have as an anchor for the soul. But I had this little list I was making when I came across a verse I would like to somehow incorporate into a tattoo..


John 16:33 "take heart"

John 16:22 "joy"

John 13:35 "if you love one another"

Colossians 4:4 "proclaim it clearly"

1 Cor 13:3 "but have not love"

2 Cor 5:4 "that mortality may be swallowed up by life."

I guess it's very hard to fault [MENTION=93407]Kaileymarie[/MENTION]'s motivation here.

Blessings.
 
Do preachers shave? What I meant was, if one takes a phrase from the passage and tries to apply it now, irrespective of possible dispensational context, while ignoring what it says in the next verse: this is less than satisfactory and does no service to a weaker brother, either.
The day you can find a person who knows whatever idol it is that was served by the cutting of the hair on the sides of the head, and practices it for that reason, and could potentially stumble and be offended by today's tradition of trimming hair I'll get a tattoo. Like Christmas, it's meaning and practice has been lost to history.

How can something that nobody alive knows why it was practiced among the pagans (let alone is still practiced today) be a potential stumbling block and offense to people who no longer exist? I won't even allow you to suggest the history and meaning of tattooing has gone the way of Christmas and hair trimming. You know better. Just flip on MTV if you've forgotten.
 
I answered no to the Question “Should Christians have tattoos?” only because there wasn’t a choice that read, “Should Christians “get” tattoos?”
<O:p</O:p
I don’t believe Christians should get tattoos, but many have them, including me.
<O:p</O:p
I have several tattoos, all of which I got before I gave my life to Jesus and He has forgiven me for every one of them. The tattoos, like the alcohol addiction, porn addiction, and infidelity, were all part of my former ignorance that I have been instructed to avoid.
<O:p</O:p
Peter wrote, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,</SPAN> but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16
<O:p</O:p
We may not be bound by Old Testament laws such as Lev. 19, however, we are to be obedient to God, and His word clearly states, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers,<SUP value='[a]'> </SUP>by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.<SUP value='[b]'> </SUP>Do not be conformed to this world,<SUP value='[c]'> </SUP>but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
<O:p</O:p
Be blessed.
<O:p</O:p
Toby

You're batting 1000.

It's like the very voice of God is speaking through your words.....again......especially the scriptural quotes. :thumbsup
 
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