Nathanael Chong
Member
No, that's not my point. My point is that we should not live our lives like the world. It is ok to shave, but I believe it's really the heart issue.
God bless
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Poll: Respecting her tattoo wish
- Thread starter farouk
- Start date
No, that's not my point. My point is that we should not live our lives like the world. It is ok to shave, but I believe it's really the heart issue.
God bless
farouk
Member
Well, I would venture to say that your heart may be in good tune before God even though under the law as expressed in Leviticus 19 shaving might be questionable. (I suppose, just as with someone who may choose to witness with a faith based tattoo...)
No one needs to get a tattoo that does not want to, though.
Blessings.
Nathanael Chong
Member
Why would you need a tattoo to witness? Strangers who just glance at it may not bother much about it. How about friends? Well, are your actions telling people that you are a Christian, or is that fact so obscure that you need a tattoo?
Blessings
farouk
Member
I think you're not taking into account the well proven fact that faith based designs do lead to many witness opportunities.
Again, if one reserves for oneself the right not to shave, despite Leviticus 19, but insists that others not be tattooed - even for witness purposes - then I don't see the consistency.
(I'm not being critical of anyone; just trying to look at Leviticus 19 logically and at the relationship between Old Testament Jews in the land under the law, and New Testament Christians who are under grace, with freedom of conscience, as per Romans 14).
Blessings.
Jethro Bodine
Member
Assuming this is true (personally I doubt it), are you going to ignore the proven fact that tattoos cause, both, believers and unbelievers to first think you are an unbeliever?
Are you simply deciding to ignore the reason given to you why whatever hair cutting the law says the people of God are not to do is a non-issue at this time in history?
You're being critical of the prohibition against tattooing, and I'm being critical of the practice of tattooing. There's nothing wrong with that.
We've given you lots of reasons why the freedom to display tattoos is not good in the church at this time in the history of tattooing. As I've said before, freedom is a two way street. But the church seems to only be able to understand it in terms of the 'me' part about freedom, not the part about how it affects other people.
It's undeniable that tattooing is still very much the symbol of rebellion and pride and sensuality in western society. That alone pretty much erases any freedom a Christian thinks he has to flaunt the practice...no matter how pure his own heart may be about the matter.
My wife would never get a tatoo.
We recently talked about it because of all these threads on the forum.
Boy oh boy, is she ever against it.
Then with all my teasing, I don't blame her.
We recently talked about it because of all these threads on the forum.
Boy oh boy, is she ever against it.
Then with all my teasing, I don't blame her.
Matthew G
Member
Respectfully, what I read into this statement is that we must essentially box ourselves in because of what western society thinks.
We are told that we should not conform to the world (Romans 12:2). And so how is it biblical (or even correct, for that matter) to allow society's view of a thing to define the thing itself?
Society also tells us that marriage is a joke - it is a tax bracket, a gateway for insurance and benefits, a contract of convenience, and even for some just a guarantee for sex (which is like buying a 747 to get peanuts, but I'll digress).
So considering society's view on marriage, does that mean Christians shouldn't marry, as well?
Unless, of course, I completely misread your statement. In that case, please accept my apologies and ignore this little rant of mine. :dunce
God bless.
Jethro Bodine
Member
...and what society does.
"...should not conform to the world..."
Isn't Paul addressing society's (the world's) view of things when he says this?
That view of marriage you describe is society's view--the world's view-- of marriage. That's the very thing we are not to be conformed to--the world's view of things.
Don't even get me started on this, lol.
Jethro Bodine
Member
Ask her why and let us know.
I bet the reason has a lot to do with why the world gets them.
Matthew G
Member
I think I sense an "agree to disagree" moment coming, but I'm going to try anyway. 
I feel like that proves my point.
Nonbelievers get married, and by and large they get married for the reasons I cited. However, you agree with me that this doesn't mean we (Christians) shouldn't get married.
Why?
It boils down to the simple fact that we view it differently (read "get married for different reasons").
IMO the same principle applies to tattoos. Just because society uses them as a way of rebellion, pride, or sensuality doesn't mean that a Christian with a different view of them shouldn't get one - just like a Christian shouldn't stay away from marriage because of the way society uses it.
I feel like that proves my point.
Nonbelievers get married, and by and large they get married for the reasons I cited. However, you agree with me that this doesn't mean we (Christians) shouldn't get married.
Why?
It boils down to the simple fact that we view it differently (read "get married for different reasons").
IMO the same principle applies to tattoos. Just because society uses them as a way of rebellion, pride, or sensuality doesn't mean that a Christian with a different view of them shouldn't get one - just like a Christian shouldn't stay away from marriage because of the way society uses it.
Jethro Bodine
Member
I think I sense an "agree to disagree" moment coming, but I'm going to try anyway.
I feel like that proves my point.
Nonbelievers get married, and by and large they get married for the reasons I cited. However, you agree with me that this doesn't mean we (Christians) shouldn't get married.
Why?
It boils down to the simple fact that we view it differently (read "get married for different reasons").
IMO the same principle applies to tattoos. Just because society uses them as a way of rebellion, pride, or sensuality doesn't mean that a Christian with a different view of them shouldn't get one - just like a Christian shouldn't stay away from marriage because of the way society uses it.
This is just the old 'lip stick and high heels' argument all over again.
As I've been saying, when tattoos become like Christmas and the hair trimming prohibited in the law (whatever that was talking about) then you'll have a point.
Come back in about twenty, maybe thirty years with this argument. I'm guessing it will take that long before tattooing is simply a fashion choice and no longer exclusively the symbol of rebellion, sensuality, and pride that it presently is in western society.
jasoncran
Member
by that time we will have Christian graffiti
Nathanael Chong
Member
Respectfully, I don't see how having tattoos will help in witnessing, because others will just think, "Hey, you're just like us!" People more often take notice of the fact that you have a tattoo than its image.
Also, I'm asking: is it a right way to witness with tattoos? I'm thinking it's like trying to move the Ark of the Covenant using the pagan method as David did.
God bless
farouk
Member
I think I sense an "agree to disagree" moment coming, but I'm going to try anyway.
I feel like that proves my point.
Nonbelievers get married, and by and large they get married for the reasons I cited. However, you agree with me that this doesn't mean we (Christians) shouldn't get married.
Why?
It boils down to the simple fact that we view it differently (read "get married for different reasons").
IMO the same principle applies to tattoos. Just because society uses them as a way of rebellion, pride, or sensuality doesn't mean that a Christian with a different view of them shouldn't get one - just like a Christian shouldn't stay away from marriage because of the way society uses it.
Matthew:
Yes, I can see this point of view. It's like when the Christian does it the whole motivation may be different and God honoring.
I saw this quote a while back, from Jeni Ruth:
Like, Jeni Ruth is a tattooed woman and when she was converted to Christ the whole reason for getting tattoos changed and their design, too.
Say hi to Kayla; hope her latest has healed well now!
Blessings.
farouk
Member
In a sense it kind of defines you once you do it, right? Especially if it's faith related.
Jethro Bodine
Member
Exactly!
No.
It's a proven fact that tattoos will cause you to first be thought of as an unbeliever, not a believer.
Why would a Christian purposely want to be defined that way????
tandemcpl
Member
You are right. In my experience, my tattoos have definitely defined who I am. That is why I try to keep them covered up when I know I’m going to be meeting someone new; especially, if it is an important meeting like a job interview or any other situation where someone else’s opinion could have an effect on my life.
I will not usually reveal my tattoos until I get to know someone and they get to know me.
A sticker I used to have on my motorcycle helmet read, “I’m not completely worthless, I can be used as a bad example.”
Be blessed.
Toby
farouk
Member
...maybe the faith content would indicate something other than unbelief...
Nathanael Chong
Member
As I mentioned earlier, most people take notice of the fact that you have a tattoo, and only some will pay enough attention to the content.
farouk
Member
