This subject was discussed briefly in the cremation vs. burial thread.

For the sake of a more rich discussion, I have started this new thread.

Should Christians get tattoos? What about body piercing or body modification (apparently cosmetic scarring is becoming somewhat popular again)?

What do you think?

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Willie Grills
Trinity Presbyterian Church
OPC
Huntington, WV

http://www.puritanboard.com/f103/sin...-tattoo-51882/

Majority rules

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"Bible knowledge without repentance, will be but a torch to light men to hell. -Thomas Watson
United Through Christ
Ricky Heeb
Grace Reformed Church (RCUS) Lancaster, CA

The only thing I can think of is one must ask oneself why? Are you not happy or satisfied with what God has given you? Must you disfigure the image of God by painting it with the works of your own hand?

Do you want to display yourself by the character of Christ, or with the image of today's culture?

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Rogerant
Justified Sinner
Under Application to URCNA
Saskatchewan

Good points. I also want everyone to know that I am started the thread for the sake of discussion. I myself am personally opposed to tattoos and have none.

I think that this is a situation where our culturally interpretation can seriously come in to play. There is a huge "Christian" tattoo and body art movement happening right now. I find it slightly unsettling even though I would say that not ALL tattoos are sinful.

Genesis 24 and Ezekial 16.

Ear piercings and nose piercings are body modifications, but Scripture speaks of them as things of beauty.

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Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone

I could say this about working out .... or tanning ... or building a city or wearing clothes ... or cutting your hair.

personally i think Tattoos look neat i have a half sleve but they are expensive and not good stewardship of your money (unless they are free)

I have one, and honestly enjoy them,...the only thing I could see sinful about them is I remember when I got mine i IMMEDIATELY wanted another, and it is almost addicting, but as long as you keep that part in check i See nothing wrong with it,

That being said im SICK of people using "christian" tattoo's as "witnessing tools" its just as bad as cheesy christian T Shirts.

I DO plan on getting One more at the very least in memory of my father, a 62 Goldtop Les Paul (his guitar)

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Mikel Kennedy
Reformed Baptist
New Albany, Indiana
I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is not efficacious for anybody, except the will of men be added to it. --C.H. Spurgeon

Has this Scripture been presented?

"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:28

I agree that it seems to be addictive. I work out in the ungodly public, and in the last couple of years, I am seeing more and more body disfigurements; whether tattoos or piercings, especially amongst women, who are not just sporting little markings on their ankles any longer, but covering entire limbs and portions of their torsos (and who knows where else!) with ink!

Seems like to keep getting attention, people are doing more and more, just to appear radical and non-conformance. And most of the tattoos tends to depict gore, evil, and Satanic symbols.

Of course, I consider the "non-conformance" to be a display against how they were created beautiful by God, so IMO, the practice of such " body tagging" is pure rebellion against God.

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Ronda Rush
Church of the Redeemer
Independent Reformed
California


" . . .It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

You make some good points. However, what about he preceding verse in Leviticus, about shaving? Would that not also apply to us if the tattoo verse does?

I knew someone would bring this up sooner or later. People don't usually get tattoes "for the dead" but for body modification purposes.

The preceding verse forbids "disfigurement" that can be caused by shavings, which seems to denote an attempt at abnormal appearance (cp Matt. 6:16), more than any kind of innocent "modification".

Plus, shaving is not a permanent disfiguration, like cutting or tattooing.

this is reading into the text a modern day meaning of tattoos for one, cutting and marking the body was a cultish practice and for Israel it was wrong to associate with the cults they were to be set apart hence in the previous verse. but now we are in the world but not of it, Jesus said go and not stay. if we really wanted to be set apart as Israel was i guess we can be complete fundamentalist and do the exact opposite of whatever culture is doing sinful or not.

pardon the snarkyness

Would the way certain cultures view tattoos influence your decision? If society by and large frown upon and shun those with tattoos, would you still claim your christian liberty to tattoos?

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Ewen
1689 LBCF
Assemblies of God Bible College
Singapore

good question....
it probably would, like forking your tongue probably wouldn't be wise or stretching your ears four inches or getting a tattoo on your face.

but if i go to a culture where all men tattoo their faces and i refuse than i don't think that would be wise either.... i just better hope i live there for a while

That's true. Although forking one's tongue? I feel a little grossed out just thinking about it. Ewwww

Having been a Navy and Marine guy years ago, I'm just thankful that in my many unbelieving days I didn't come out with a tattoo or two (that just sounds good!). So much seems to come down to the motive of the heart--is that thing on your arm (or some much more embarrassing place) really honoring God?
Many also forget the age (with it seem inevitable weight gain/loss) and grandchildren factor: "grandma', what's that illegible blob over your tailbone?", as well as the first job interview factor: "so, should we expect visits from other gang members at our law firm?".
This also brings up the question of "cosmetic" surgery: is vanity (usual motive, rather than reconstruction) a good reason for surgery? Should our focus be on abs and implants rather than God? Life does get complicated!

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Eric
Deacon, PCA
Slow-moving seminarian
South Carolina

You bring up a good point, albeit not a Scriptural issue, in the age factor. My daughter has a neighbour friend whose grandmother has a somewhat Betty Boop-like tattoo in her armpit. It used to be over her shoulder-blade when she was young. And then there is that battleship that was listing as it slipped under the seas on the chest of the man that lived down the road from my house when I was growing up. From what he said it was cutting quite a wake when he had it done in 1942.

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We shall not adjust our Bible to the age; but before we have done with it, by God's grace, we shall adjust the age to the Bible. - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Lawrence Underwood, Jr.
Pastor - Providence Family Fellowship / Mobile, Alabama
1644/46 LBC
My Blog - Imprimis

I almost spilled my drink...

The theological issues were discussed on the closed thread:

http://www.puritanboard.com/f103/sin...-tattoo-51882/

I never would have married a girl with a TS, and in my single days I wouldn't date women who smoked or had tats. But a lot of folks are more open minded and tolerant that I am.

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Edward
Deacon
PCA
Texas

With respect to the quoting of Leviticus 19, I just want to point out...
...this past week I had a Brangus burger and loved it...
... I'm wearing a cotton/poly blend Fruit of the Loom t-shirt while typing this...
...I may have had a forbidden Granny Smith the other day...
...I eat porterhouse rare...
...I mar the edges (and the rest) of my beard every morning with a Mach 3...
...and I have tattoos. (Of course, they aren't of Egyptian gods or paying worship to dead pharaoh's or anything like that.)

Maybe my sanctification isn't working?

Or maybe I'm missing something.

Pardon the snarkiness, but the out of context use of Lev. 19:28 is a Fundie argument I've had to deal with soooo many times.

Now to the original question:Honestly, this is something I've wrestled with lately. And, as a result, I will not get another tattoo unless I can do so with a clear conscience.

Here is where my wrestling is:

My righteousness is not found in myself. I am not holy because I am holy. My righteousness and my holiness are fully dependent upon Christ's holiness and Christ's righteousness. Does this mean I go on sinning that I depend upon Christ even more? No.

But, we do have liberties that the OT Jews didn't have because our holiness is not dependent on ourselves. Now, physical circumcision doesn't set apart, not eating certain meats doesn't set us apart, the "pureness" of our farms doesn't set us apart....

...and so, I never had an issue of conscience when getting tattooed. As far as I was concerned, I was giving glory to God through art and art that was focused on Biblical stories. I didn't have any sort of pro v. con justification argument, I saw it as an issue of Christian liberty.

But, that being said, I've run into three arguments that have given me pause. The first is the issue of vanity. I don't think I'm vain (no, vanity assumes one thinks they're pretty. I know I'm pretty) but I'm afraid I may give the impression of vanity with my tattoos. The second is the issue of stewardship. As mentioned earlier, tattoos can be expensive and, honestly, better things can be done with the money... which points back to the first issue of vanity. The third is the matter of the Imago Dei which is a concept with which I wrestle on it's own accord... being complicated by substantive, relational, functional, or combined understandings.

So, though I will not go back and believe I sinned in getting the tattoos I already have, I will say that would sin if I got one tomorrow as I would not be doing it with a clear conscience, but out of selfishness (cause I do want to finish my right arm).

-----Added 8/15/2009 at 11:18:59 EST-----

When I try getting to the link, I get this message:

Suggestions?

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Ray Nearhood
Layman
Rockdale Community Church (a Reformed Baptist Fellowship)
Conyers, GA
LBC 1689
Husband of Evelyn , Father of Oren and Elijah
"To suppose that whatever God requireth of us that we have power of ourselves to do, is to make the cross and grace of Jesus Christ of none effect." -

Should or May? Not if you're my kid.

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Dad
Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCGA
Facebook - The Calvinist Vent
Board Rules - Signature Rules - Suggestion Box

It is God that multiplies our sorrows.... God, as a righteous Judge, does it, which ought to silence us under all our sorrows; as many as they are, we have deserved them all, and more: nay, God, as a tender Father, does it for our necessary correction, that we may be humbled for sin, and weaned from the world by all our sorrows; and the good we get by them, with the comfort we have under them, will abundantly balance our sorrows, how greatly soever they are multiplied. - Matthew Henry

It's more the association that bothers me. And as a parent of apprentice adults, this is more of a day-to-day issue for me. We've had to push back on our oldest son wanting to wear the hip-hop baggy pants. I don't care if he wears something "weird" I have a problem with him wanting to visually associate himself with the gang culture. Same thing would apply to body piercings and tattoos and their association with gangs, rebellion, ****, the occult, you name it ...

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JWithnell
Member Bethel OPC
Virginia
http://learningyesican.blogspot.com/

It should be available to you when you have made a few more posts. I think you get access to that area when you get your 'thanks' button, but it may take a little longer.

I have the Thanks button, now. It must take a bit longer. No biggie. I'll get to it later, I'm sure. Thank you.