Poll: Tattoo art - Christian perspectives: Fight it? Ignore it? appreciate/embrace it?

[Samara777]

@Samara777 My question is, Where does the authority come from to say that those with tattoos will be in hell? this is my question, really.

Another question that ppl ask is, What of the context of the Leviticus 19 verse, 'for the dead'?

I appreciate your willingness to discuss. (My point is not that people should get tattooed...although so many Christians do get witness Bible verses, etc., done, and they often find them very effective conversation-starters.)

I will address your question and not Addy's because they are being quite rude. I apologize if me having an opinion is not acceptable as if I'm "everyone and their dog having a say" I thought this was a Christian forum but ok.

Anyways as far as what you're asking the verse is in Leviticus where it says 19:28 “’Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." Those are clearly two things in one sentence, the first being cut your bodies for the dead and the second being tattoo yourselves. I can go into more detail but in short I'm referring to tattoo yourselves.

On a side note it's kinda sad that I'm being judged as legalistic as I'm actually not and if you knew me in real life and not based on one opinion on a forum one wouldn't be so quick to judge me. I honestly consider myself someone who is easy to get along with and even if people do things I don't agree with I do my best not to judge them. I highly value honesty with Jesus as the most important thing and that is all for now. I will gladly respond to any more questions as this is supposed to be a conversation not an attack on either side. If we can't get along with our own believers how are we going to with non-believers?

 

[Addy]

I will address your question and not Addy's because they are being quite rude. I apologize if me having an opinion is not acceptable as if I'm "everyone and their dog having a say" I thought this was a Christian forum but ok.

And... I apologize for my abruptness with you.... I was indeed abrupt.
I am not rude... I am straight forward. If you read my posts... you will see that.

You compared a tattoo with engaging in pre-marital sex.... with the note that both need repenting of.
I found this comment to be very legalistic.

Anyways.. you are correct... this is a public forum... and people are allowed to share their opinions.

Bless you... and I hope you don't take my aggressive response to heart.

 

[farouk]

I will address your question and not Addy's because they are being quite rude. I apologize if me having an opinion is not acceptable as if I'm "everyone and their dog having a say" I thought this was a Christian forum but ok.

Anyways as far as what you're asking the verse is in Leviticus where it says 19:28 “’Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." Those are clearly two things in one sentence, the first being cut your bodies for the dead and the second being tattoo yourselves. I can go into more detail but in short I'm referring to tattoo yourselves.

On a side note it's kinda sad that I'm being judged as legalistic as I'm actually not and if you knew me in real life and not based on one opinion on a forum one wouldn't be so quick to judge me. I honestly consider myself someone who is easy to get along with and even if people do things I don't agree with I do my best not to judge them. I highly value honesty with Jesus as the most important thing and that is all for now. I will gladly respond to any more questions as this is supposed to be a conversation not an attack on either side. If we can't get along with our own believers how are we going to with non-believers?

@Samara777 Yes, you're right about having a good discussion.

I guess some would look at the question in terms of motive.

For example, Paul strongly argued against circumcision being compulsory for believers in the Lord Jesus, seeing that it brought people back under legal bondage.

On the other hand, Paul also circumcised Timothy, because it would likely help him to witness to Jews who, when they knew he was circumcized, would be more ready to listen to his testimony. It is in this spirit perhaps that some Christian get Bible verse tattoos done. One does not need to agree with this viewpoint in order to respect the fact that some Christians feel they are following a Scriptural principle of using means to testify more effectively. Romans 14 speaks of Christian liberty also.

 

[farouk]

And... I apologize for my abruptness with you.... I was indeed abrupt.
I am not rude... I am straight forward. If you read my posts... you will see that.

You compared a tattoo with engaging in pre-marital sex.... with the note that both need repenting of.
I found this comment to be very legalistic.

Anyways.. you are correct... this is a public forum... and people are allowed to share their opinions.

Bless you... and I hope you don't take my aggressive response to heart.

@Addy I too find the idea of rolling a condom in the circumstances described and the memory of a shy and modest young lady with John 3.16 tattooed in full on her wrist area, as being starkly at variance, and I can see how some people would react against it. (I think we are all having a constructive discussion, in the end; this was the point of the thread, really....)

 

[Samara777]

@Samara777 Yes, you're right about having a good discussion.

I guess some would look at the question in terms of motive.

For example, Paul strongly argued against circumcision being compulsory for believers in the Lord Jesus, seeing that it brought people back under legal bondage.

On the other hand, Paul also circumcised Timothy, because it would likely help him to witness to Jews who, when they knew he was circumcized, would be more ready to listen to his testimony. It is in this spirit perhaps that some Christian get Bible verse tattoos done. One does not need to agree with this viewpoint in order to respect the fact that some Christians feel they are following a Scriptural principle of using means to testify more effectively. Romans 14 speaks of Christian liberty also.

This is a tough one. In all honesty I've found that the more I dig the more questions I have. I feel I could go into all types of tangents here, I will address a few.

You have when Paul says (I am paraphrasing from memory) "Those lead by the spirit are not under the law." and also "One person who's faith allows them to eat only vegetables and another allows them to eat everything, both should be fully convinced." You have "anyone who teaches others to break the least of these commandments is least..." and "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit to only hold the gentiles to these rules..." and then proceeded to only list a few things.

Now with those verses you could say "The Bible contradicts itself" but I do not agree with that view at all. I believe this shows that the Bible is not a one size fits all rule book, because you have the Pharisees who tried to accuse Jesus disciples of sinning and Jesus said they were guiltless. I believe we have one who accuses and that is the enemy, whereas Jesus is merciful. I was going somewhere with this and the enemy took my train of thought, but let me know what you think of what I said so far.

 

[Samara777]

And... I apologize for my abruptness with you.... I was indeed abrupt.
I am not rude... I am straight forward. If you read my posts... you will see that.

You compared a tattoo with engaging in pre-marital sex.... with the note that both need repenting of.
I found this comment to be very legalistic.

Anyways.. you are correct... this is a public forum... and people are allowed to share their opinions.

Bless you... and I hope you don't take my aggressive response to heart.

I apologize if my comparison was offensive I just thought of an example of justified sin and I have heard of that one so I used it. I appreciate your kind words and hope you can know I mean nothing by it, no legalism or so on

 

[farouk]

This is a tough one. In all honesty I've found that the more I dig the more questions I have. I feel I could go into all types of tangents here, I will address a few.

You have when Paul says (I am paraphrasing from memory) "Those lead by the spirit are not under the law." and also "One person who's faith allows them to eat only vegetables and another allows them to eat everything, both should be fully convinced." You have "anyone who teaches others to break the least of these commandments is least..." and "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit to only hold the gentiles to these rules..." and then proceeded to only list a few things.

Now with those verses you could say "The Bible contradicts itself" but I do not agree with that view at all. I believe this shows that the Bible is not a one size fits all rule book, because you have the Pharisees who tried to accuse Jesus disciples of sinning and Jesus said they were guiltless. I believe we have one who accuses and that is the enemy, whereas Jesus is merciful. I was going somewhere with this and the enemy took my train of thought, but let me know what you think of what I said so far.

@Samara777 Thanks for your further, thoughtful comments.

Romans 14.17 has a really good principle: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Some untattooed Christians will never wish to get tattooed, with Bible verses or otherwise, and they can enjoy the Christian life in "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Other Christians might be tattooed with Bible verses, having sincerely gotten them in order, as they felt before the Lord, to witness more effectively; and they too can enjoy the Christian life in "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

In the end, whatever they happen to think about the matter in question should not be some supposed norm for fellowship. True fellowship is all about what John says in 1 John 1.3: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."

 

[Addy]

I apologize if my comparison was offensive I just thought of an example of justified sin and I have heard of that one so I used it. I appreciate your kind words and hope you can know I mean nothing by it, no legalism or so on

I am disappointed in myself for starting your journey here on a negative note...
You are indeed FREE and ENCOURAGED to share your opinions honestly... openly and safely...
Again... I BLESS you... and I hope you enjoy the forums. Tenderly... Addy

 

[farouk]

PS: @Samara777

What I would also say is that today it's so often conservative people who get tattooed; it's not now a sign of being avant-garde and radical (if it ever was).

GodsGrace said: ↑

almost every young girl I know has some sort of tatoo.
Even those very conservative types.

juliannenw said:

I am a nurse in a cardiac ICU. I am also pretty heavily tattooed. I am a well educated, well rounded nurse, and was raised with strong morals and manners. .. I am an extremely traditional person. I've always worn long sleeves .. I love having a professional persona as well as a unique one while I'm not working

allnurses dot com

That being said, the context of people getting their first - and sometimes their only - tattoo is so often at the transition to adulthood. It's really much more about the context of boys becoming men and girls becoming women when they commemorate this time with some ink.

One does not have to participate in it or even agree with it; it's merely a big fact out there.

It's also perhaps inevitable that some young Christians will choose to commemorate this transition with something like a Bible verse tattoo, which - as it were - could be rationalized as decisively nailing their colors to the mast at the outset of adulthood.

All the young ppl with whom I have talked who have had Bible verses tattooed seem to have had them done with an evangelistic motive, anyway.

(Just some extra thoughts...)

 

[farouk]

I am disappointed in myself for starting your journey here on a negative note...
You are indeed FREE and ENCOURAGED to share your opinions honestly... openly and safely...
Again... I BLESS you... and I hope you enjoy the forums. Tenderly... Addy

@Addy No worries; good to see the outworking of thinking and discussion...Your kind heart shines through...

 

[Samara777]

@Samara777 Thanks for your further, thoughtful comments.

Romans 14.17 has a really good principle: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Some untattooed Christians will never wish to get tattooed, with Bible verses or otherwise, and they can enjoy the Christian life in "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Other Christians might be tattooed with Bible verses, having sincerely gotten them in order, as they felt before the Lord, to witness more effectively; and they too can enjoy the Christian life in "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

In the end, whatever they happen to think about the matter in question should not be some supposed norm for fellowship. True fellowship is all about what John says in 1 John 1.3: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."

The truth is I just don't know any more. I don't know what is ok and not ok in some areas. I can pray and read the Bible but I have a lot of questions that I want answering when I get to Heaven. The Old Testament had clearly outlined laws and rules for the Israelites because maybe that's what they needed for that time, and here in the New Testament we have much more freedom. Yet despite that people constantly ask "Is this sin? Is this sin?" But it's people asking people about the Bible, which is ok but we have to remember we're not God, so even if I said "Yes it is sin" or "No it is not" I am not God so I do not fully know. We should ask God and wait for His response. He will guide us.

 

[farouk]

The truth is I just don't know any more. I don't know what is ok and not ok in some areas. I can pray and read the Bible but I have a lot of questions that I want answering when I get to Heaven. The Old Testament had clearly outlined laws and rules for the Israelites because maybe that's what they needed for that time, and here in the New Testament we have much more freedom. Yet despite that people constantly ask "Is this sin? Is this sin?" But it's people asking people about the Bible, which is ok but we have to remember we're not God, so even if I said "Yes it is sin" or "No it is not" I am not God so I do not fully know. We should ask God and wait for His response. He will guide us.

@Samara777

My mind goes back to the heartening and thoughtful lines of Anne Steele in the 18th century:

"O may these hallowed pages be
My ever dear delight!
And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light!"

The fact is that we shall never cease to learn more from God's Word.

Peter could say:

"...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3.18)

This growth is something which never ceases. And we shall never all have identical and uniform viewpoints about all matters, even as we in fellowship as pilgrims proceed in grace towards the believer's glorious hope in Christ.

 

[Samara777]

@Samara777

My mind goes back to the heartening and thoughtful lines of Anne Steele in the 18th century:

"O may these hallowed pages be
My ever dear delight!
And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light!"

The fact is that we shall never cease to learn more from God's Word.

Peter could say:

"...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3.18)

This growth is something which never ceases. And we shall never all have identical and uniform viewpoints about all matters, even as we in fellowship as pilgrims proceed in grace towards the believer's glorious hope in Christ.

I appreciate your kind words

 

[farouk]

I am not one of those Christians who have a problem with tattoos.. and if I was younger... I might ..... [ETC]

@Addy Sounds like you would have done it as a well planned design rather than on the spur of the moment; some ppl rush into it, but I guess temperamentally you would likely have planned it carefully...

 

[amadeus]

That's a common excuse to break the command about tattoos, but keep in mind it also is a command not to steal, not to murder, do we still follow those? We could nitpick at what we should and should not do I am only telling you the testimony I read. Whether you choose to believe it is up to you. I believe the testimony and would not encourage others to get tattoos. That is all.

Give God the glory my friend!

 

[amadeus]

The truth is I just don't know any more. I don't know what is ok and not ok in some areas. I can pray and read the Bible but I have a lot of questions that I want answering when I get to Heaven. The Old Testament had clearly outlined laws and rules for the Israelites because maybe that's what they needed for that time, and here in the New Testament we have much more freedom. Yet despite that people constantly ask "Is this sin? Is this sin?" But it's people asking people about the Bible, which is ok but we have to remember we're not God, so even if I said "Yes it is sin" or "No it is not" I am not God so I do not fully know. We should ask God and wait for His response. He will guide us.

Even so! I have also always strong against tattoos. That some believers have them and approve of them may be in accord with their own faith and so I now try to leave them alone. But... when someone asks me I will give them my opinion. If they don't want to hear, then do not ask! I like @farouk but he keeps on asking. Periodically I will answer... even though he may not agree with my response.

Give God the glory!

 

[farouk]

Even so! I have also always strong against tattoos. That some believers have them and approve of them may be in accord with their own faith and so I now try to leave them alone. But... when someone asks me I will give them my opinion. If they don't want to hear, then do not ask! I like @farouk but he keeps on asking. Periodically I will answer... even though he may not agree with my response.

Give God the glory!

Contributions gratefully received....

 

[farouk]

Interesting history...who would have thought women would be involved back in the early 1900's.

@Heart2Soul Certainly shows how inaccurate it would be to say having it done isn't ladylike, doesn't it?

(It's was already so well established for so long. Now Christians use it increasingly to express Scripture and faith.)

 

[Heart2Soul]

@Heart2Soul Certainly shows how inaccurate it would be to say having it done isn't ladylike, doesn't it?

(It's was already so well established for so long. Now Christians use it increasingly to express Scripture and faith.)

I believe it was also used among natives and different tribes around the world as a means to convey a status or which tribe you were affiliated with.

 

[farouk]

Every individual has an individual reason for getting their ears pierced or getting tattoos.

@Ziggy According to preference, ear piercing can be both manly and womanly and tattoos can be both manly and womanly, imho...

(cc @Wynona )