Comments on: So your daughter wants a tattoo.

By: Ana Dau

Ana Dau — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 22:45:37 +0000

Hello Mrs Wilson! I’m interested by this topic because I live in Portland and the tattoo culture is so prevalent that it is passe at best. I agree with you… I have only started thinking about this topic for a year now, but from all of the learned people I have talked to it seems tattoos seem to be prohibited in the bible. (Leviticus passage that Melissa noted as one example) And as we are those who stand on the bible and NOT cultural standards (which ebb and flow like the tide) it seems to me that your argument is more than sound. Its when we start comparing a tattoo with other cultural arguments, ie women wearing pants and makeup and earrings ect ect… that we Christans seem to get hung up in our Christianity. Those arguments just never hold up, they are formed around man’s standard, which for those who have noticed, is always changing. (and Christians usually take up the charge in fashion 50 yrs after when the old folks and their disapproving head shakes die out) And so though I don’t agree with your nasal piercing post from a year ago, (I just cant get over beautiful Rebecka and her ornaments) I love this one!
(Not meant to be a backhanded complement, I just couldn’t work up the courage to say this a year ago)
Blessings!

By: David Ebin

David Ebin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:44:57 +0000

Intent and heart motivation is not enough, Mat 5:20. Sin started from the heart, Mat 5:27-30. Jesus did not come to demolished or wipe out the law, Mat 5:17-19. There is no ‘but’ word in the original Greek, John 1:17, so do not miss interpret, so it means both works together. Basically, the whole New Testament says, do not put yourself under the judgement of the law by living in sin, do what is righteous and Christlike lifestyle and activities so that the law has no way finds it way to charge or sue you. On your repentance day, make it real by leaving the past, not keeping some and having it all over again. If you leave in sin after your encounter with the truth, there will be no more mercy for that but judgement. The word should be written in your heart and people have to see the spiritual fruits out of your behavior and character. The Bible did not ask you to write the words or your testimony on the flesh. A person will be more hypocrite even worst than the pharisees, if they have all the so called Christians decoration on the flesh while the attitude and character of true life is far from Him. You will not be able to even proof whether Jesus has one. He never speak about you to get one. He says, preach the Gospel, not write it on your skin. Fashion? So, why did Jesus did not get in the fashion, the kind of fashion in His time on earth? What is good moral and character nowadays? Is it according to what those in business believe, or what is appropriate according to the Bible? There is no way we can synchronize Biblical spirituality with the world philosophies and beliefs. If we really wanted to be His followers, why do we need to be like the Israelites in the wilderness? Why do we have to gain our own interest by looking for or at someone like Aron, who agreed to do what he thinks right which is more acceptable to the secular world.

Out of 5000, only about 70 really followed Christ…that represent that about 4930 people disagree with Christ teaching. I am not surprised when they are more support Christians tattoo than apposed. Like Nancy said, history is repeating – look at CCM, it is the same story… hmmm

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

These is what Jesus said about salvation. John 3:16 …that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, …most people will say Amen! Check on verse 18 through 21, …describes the truth, means you have to leave sinful lifestyle. You hardly heard people read all the way down. Why? Because they are afraid of the price that they have to pay. Now, read verse 36, …He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” …believeth (original Greek was about being faithfull) not the Son shall not see life. John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Spirituality is about lifestyle and not body-mark. That is what God is looking for. The Bible concerned are more on protecting our body and avoiding it from being exposed, that it might be used by evil to promote evil. It is also to keep what is original and brings no division. God is also concern about the body’s holiness such as keeping it holy for it is the temple of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6. We shouldn’t let the idea of this world to enslave us and do what it thinks right, not even letting them change the truth about biblical spirituality, Romans 8. We have to learned the mistake in the past when Christianity was merged with paganism. We have to avoid our mind been controlled by the tattoo’s wave that gaining its empire so powerful just as the CCM wave managed to penetrate all denominations.

In Christ, David Ebin

By: Malganis

Malganis — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:28:37 +0000

Google “Coptic Christians tattoos” and you will see that Christian tattooing is not a new phenomenon. This practice still survives today among rural Coptics. In later times, medieval Christian pilgrims and Crusaders often tattooed themselves to mark their journey and remind them and others of their faith.

As with so many other things, I think it is the intent and heart motivation that counts. One’s actions can be morally neutral in and of themselves, or even GOOD, yet it is our motives (our inner self) that counts before God. It is the inner motivation that he sees, even if others do not. Praying is a good thing, yet if one prays like the Pharisees did, or prays for forgiveness for themselves yet does not forgive others, God knows this.

So, with respect, I think that this issue is far from being the cut-and-dried, black-and-white one that Nancy Ann has opined that it is.

http://poor-blogger.blogspot.com/2006/01/coptic-christian-tattoos.html

By: JEB

JEB — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:42:38 +0000

Thank you. The frustrating part is her mother defend this saying “It symbolizes her faith & what God has done in her life”. I do not know of a priest, nun or minister that would have one. This baby is big, from the hairline of the neck to half point on her back. I know i am just going to have to move on. She is 18 in 5 months so I better get used to her own will, be there for advice and guidance. She was taught right from wrong spritually and mentally. I just need to let go and let her blaze her own way. Even if she does have “Stations of the Cross” on her back.

By: Nancy Ann

Nancy Ann — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:15:54 +0000

JEB,
Though it may be tempting to pull away from her, a foolish daughter needs her dad all the more. We’ll pray for you.

By: JEB

JEB — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:55:53 +0000

My 17 yr old daughter just emblazoned her back with a cross and thorns with “Your were there when no one else was” scrolled around. I am sick to my stomach and haven’t slept for 2 days. Neither I nor any of my family members have tattoos. She lives with her mom and they belong to a non-denomination church. I am born, raised, confirmed Catholic. Her mother signed for it and defends her actions at all costs. I question both of their motives both for her age and how quickly it was done not giving it a very long and hard thought. I am so angry I feel like turning my back on her. With the idea that if she refuses to listen to my input then don’t ever ask for it and be on your own. Do as you will and suffer the consequences for your actions. I know feeling this way is wrong and hope it subsides. I just needed to vent when everyone is looking at me like my reaction is crazy, controlling and that I just need to get over myself. As I look over pictures of my little girl of days gone by, man, I am so angry, frustrated and sickened that she would deface her flesh like this. Not even laser removal will wipe this one out. Scarred for life, I’m sick.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:20:02 +0000

I have read this entire post, and am leaving my church due to the liberal leadership over the issue of tatoos! One of the ministers in the church I attended is a tattoo artist, his work is dark in nature, and this isnt a problem with my Pastor.
We are to be seperate from the world, a new creation, an example to a lost and dying world. As Christians in the church get tatoos, there is no seperation between the church and the world,I dont care if its a cross, praying hands, or whatever, a tattoo is more of a distraction than anything else.
Just the origin of tats are demonic, and pagan in nature, let alone cutting into your skin.
Christiasn liberty doesnt give us the right to copy the pagan pratices of the world, it gives us the right to honor God in our bodies, remember we were bought with a high price, the blood of Christ.
——————————————————————————–
Terry Watkins Dial-the-Truth Ministries

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WHAT ABOUT LEVITICUS 19:28?

Leviticus 19:28 is the Christian (or so-called Christian?) tattooist and tattoo-bearer’s worst nightmare. The Lord plainly, clearly, strongly, and without a doubt â€“ condemns the tattoo.

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:28

Could that be any more clear?

“Ye shall not. . .print any marks upon you. . .”

Simple. . . Straightforward. . .Settled. . .

God Said It. . . I Believe It. . . That Settles It. . .

Right. . .?

Not hardly. . .

The clear statement from the word of God does not settle anything for this generation of disobedient, carnal, worldy, tolerant, non-judgmental, Christians. Rather than obey God, they run miles and miles and miles to “justify” their open disobedience to the Word of God.

How do they get around Leviticus 19:28?

Clearly, there it is. “Ye shall not. . .print any marks upon you. . .”

A lot of Christians when confronted with Leviticus 19:28, scream, “Hey dude, thatâ€™s not for today. Man, thatâ€™s the Old Testament. Iâ€™m under the New Testament”.

Did you know that “bestiality” (sicko, perverted, sex with an animal) was ONLY forbidden in the Old Testament Levitical Law? Only in Leviticus 18:23 and Leviticus 20:15-16. Dude, only in the Old Testament Law. Does that mean a Holy God NOW â€“ under the New Testament, approves of bestiality?

By the way, have you ever read Leviticus 19:29? The verse immediately AFTER the “itâ€™s not for me” Leviticus 19:28?

Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.
Leviticus 19:29

This is the only place in the Bible that God directly forbids someone to prostitute their daughter. And since, itâ€™s ONLY in the Old Testament Levitical Law (and “hey, dude, weâ€™re NOT under the law”) â€“ it MUST be ok by the Lord for a parent to cause their daughter to prostitute.

Same sick, perverted, wicked, line of reasoning as the “itâ€™s ONLY in the Old Testament-tattoo-bearer-wearer”. Same reasoning. . . Same disobedience. . . Same perversion of the Word of God.

There are many other “moral lawsâ€™ that are ONLY forbidden in the Old Testament, such as the human sacrifice of children. No where in the New Testament is this forbidden. Does that mean that NOW under the New Testament, God Almighty endorses throwing babies into the fire as a human sacrifice?

And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 18:21

Matthew Henryâ€™s Commentary at the beginning of Leviticus 19 explains that most of Leviticus 19 (such as verse 19:28) are moral commandments that applies not only for Israel but for the New Testament Christian today.

“Some ceremonial precepts there are in this chapter, but most of them are moral. . . Most of these precepts are binding on us, for they are expositions of most of the ten commandments.”
(Matthew Henryâ€™s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Leviticus 19:28)

By: Jesse

Jesse — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:48:46 +0000

The bible says “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; i am the lord (Leviticus 19:29).”

I have done a larg amount of research. I found that the markings they are talking about in Leviticus, along with many other scriptures, are referring to a heathen practice. The idea was that if an individual were to ‘cut’ oneself they were invoking their pagan gods, especially during time of disease and death. So as it states, it is true that Christians should not cut or mark themselves, but it is important to understand that God was referring to doing it in ways similar to a heathen. God states and repeats numerous times that Christians should not follow PAGAN rituals, cutting being one of them.

I am a 17 year old christian male and i am going to get a tattoo of a cross on my arm.
You say “give me a good reason why a Christian should get a tattoo.” I am getting this tattoo so at first sight everyone will know who i believe in and to showe my religion and dedication to christe. This will be in my skin the rest of my life always there to remind me of my true purpose in life. And yes people will ask about it saying its wrong but every person who asks about it i will have the opportunity to intruduce to god.

So there is my opinion no matter what you think of it.

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:32:26 +0000

this may be a bit late in the discussion,
but i wonder if the issue here is what we are trying to communicate, whether through make up, dress , tattoos or piercing.
in all that we do we should glorify God. there fore, we need to consider what we are communicating about our God to an on looking world.
For example… different groups use certain styles of dress, make up and accessories to communicate their identification and tell us something about who they are, from nuns to bikies, the seductive woman, the tom boy etc…,
the message we are wanting to communicate about our love for God, should not only be clear to us, but also leave no confusion in the secular mind.

By: oldfatslow

oldfatslow — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:04:48 +0000

Dennis,

I can understand your quibble about
the seriousness of tattoos. But, you
might want to consider that my dad’s
statement and my repetition of it are
in the line of Mt. 18:8-9.

I hope you at least agree that
love does not trump everything
when it comes to family matters
anymore than it trumps everything
when it comes to the Family of
God. Of course, there have been
those lately who do think that way.

http://tinyurl.com/kvxeko

ofs