Does God Hate TATTOOS? This past Sunday we had a special guest speaker. He read Leviticus 19:28 which says “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.” He didn’t explain it and moved on. I could feel the tension in the room. About half of our congregation has a tattoo. Many of the tats are BC (before Christ) and probably just as many are AC (after Christ). If you are a FOSM regular or just somebody that has a tat, how does this make you feel?
As you think about your answer, I want to ask a few more questions. If his statement bothered you a bit, why did it? Were you bothered by it because you knew the Biblical answer to his statements? Were you bothered because you didn’t see anything wrong with it in your own eyes? What do you think God thinks about it?
I’ll come clean. I have no moral or biblical objections to tattoos. Leviticus 19:28 is part of the Jewish Law. Very few Christian scholars believe it applies to people who are Christ followers. We are not under the law but under Grace. God also says in Leviticus 19:19 “Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.” You never hear a sermon about that. Why? Because it’s Jewish Law, given to the Jews at the time to separate them from everybody else. It taught them holiness among other things. We are not under the law.
There is another verse to think about though. Hebrews 11:6 says “without faith it is impossible to please God…” That means everything we do should be with faith, if we want to please God. If you get a tattoo in faith, I don’t see anything wrong with it. Another way to think about it is this: Can I take Jesus with me when I go to get the tattoo? Would He be proud of it? If so, then knock yourself out.
What about teenagers? Should teenagers get tattoos? It’s up to their parents FIRST! If your parents are against it, don’t do it. When you are on your own, paying your own bills and you still want to do it then go for it. Until then you will have to wait. Your parents are just looking out for you. They remember a friend in High School who tattooed a girlfriend’s name on his arm, only to break up with her two weeks later. And yes, the same answer applies to getting your belly button pierced or anything else that weirds them out.
Ok, one more question… Pastor Randy, do you have any tats? No I don’t. I don’t because I grew up hearing elderly war veterans who had tattoos complain about them. EVERY single tattooed war vet I talked to growing up said “Boy, don’t ever get a tattoo like I did. When you are old and wrinkly like me, the tattoo will look ugly.” I laugh every time I think of someone saying that to me.
Maybe someday when I’m old, I’ll get a tattoo. That way, there won’t be time for it to fade or get ugly… :)
UPDATE: I found a great podcast from John Piper here. He talks about how we view ourselves in light of Christ’s love for us. It’s seven minutes long and really thought provoking.
Hello There Pastor Randy!
I found this Tattoo post online and i just wanted to thank you. I’ve been praying about this for a long time now. And its a subject that has become very controvercial in my Church with the young Adults group. I was very confused and needed some answers that unfortunately other leaders i approached couldn’t really explain. Most people just told me “It’s wrong” but without any explanation. Your post was able to shed light to my confusion and things finally make sense! thanks again and GOD BLESS!
Manny
Randy, if you had gotten a tatoo you would have been in a “heap” of trouble with me!
Love, Dad
Pastor Randy,
Thanks so much for posting this blog and addressing the issue of tattoos. It is a very touchy subject because they are common in today’s culture. Immediately after that topic came up during the service last Sunday, I went home and did some more research on the issue. I know the Leviticus verse well, but I also know that it can’t really be presented out of context. I have a tattoo, but considered it and studied the word of God for a very long time before committing myself to getting one. I have one small cross and I am very happy with it. Not many people see it, but when they do they can ask me about my faith and I can share that story with them. I believe that tattoos glorifying an individuals faith in God can be a very important step in their growth in faith for them. Once again, I really appreciate you posting this! Have a blessed day!
Lots to think about from your post. I look forward to my next visit.
I don’t care if a guy gets himself a tattoo, but I don’t enjoy seeing tattoos on women, because I think this phenomenon is directly related to such things as birth-control; toplessness and abortion. I was a teenager in the nineteen sixties and well remember when birth control pills were launched on the market at the beginning of that decade. Then toplessness came along soon afterwards, in the mid nineteen sixties. Coincidence? I don’t think so! The fear of getting pregnant was sufficiently diminished so that women gradually lost their fear of the consequences of flashing their breasts at strangers. But, for good measure, women’s “liberation” movements added abortion on demand to their list of “rights”. It’s the “my body” syndrome, as if the whole question of abortion were not based on the fact that it’s the babies’ bodies that are being killed!
Tattoos are simply another way in which a liberated woman tells the world that “this is my body and I can do whatever I like with it.”
So we have the following chain: sex drive > general availability of birth control (pills or abortion) > the “it’s my body so I can use it for my personal pleasure” syndrome > toplessness in public > sex without love or marriage > tattoos, which signal “this is my body and I can do whatever I wish with it”.
I think that these are all different aspects of a single process that’s hitting society, and all very egocentric.
As for the aesthetical aspect, how much do you think the “Mona Lisa” is worth? Over a hundred million dollars? Now, if someone were to paint an indelible moustache on Mona Lisa, how much would she be worth then? I wouldn’t give five bucks for her! And the same goes for any beautiful woman with flawless skin. If she gets a tattoo then she’s got herself a blemish – physical as well as spiritual.
Ok for a man but not for a woman. Wow. I don’t agree with that for sure. And yes, I would pay A LOT of money for the Mona Lisa with a mustache drawn on it. It would probably go UP in value!
1) Re being under the Law, Jesus said “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5: 17,18) New International Version.
Of course all His followers are under the Law. That is why Jesus hung on the cross: to pay for His people and redeem them. If His followers were not under the Law to this very day, then there would have been nothing for Him to pay for and nothing that required forgiveness and the crucifiction would have been pointless.
2) I never said Tattoos were OK for men. I simply said I don’t care if a guy gets one.
3) I took Mona Lisa as a commonly accepted mark of artistic perfection, the point being that if men “add” to perfection it ceases to be perfect. I think that tattoos on women are an example of this. Perfect skin ceases to be perfect.
I REALLY hate tattoos and know they are forbidden by the Bible both by reference to Leviticus as well as Matthew confirming that the Law was still in effect.
What really is disgusting is that my wife, a supposed fundamentalist Christian, just had one applied despite my stringent objections.
Some Christian…
Id like to point out a couple key points.
In the Old Testament there were three different types of laws:
There were ceremonial laws that anticipated the coming of Jesus Christ, which means that now after his death and resurrection the laws are no longer necessary. While we are no longer bound by ceremonial law, the principles behind them -to worship and love a holy God- still apply today.
There were cival laws which applied to every day living in Israel. Are culture is radically different so we cant follow these exactly, but the principles behind the commands are timeless and we should try to focus on the meaning of the law and its purpose.
Finally there are moral laws such as the ten commandments. These are direct from God and should be obeyed.
Jesus fulfilled the law because he is the only person who has ever lived and not broken a single one of its commands. Anyone who believes in him is not under the law but is saved from it. Paul was constantly reminding the people of the church in the New Testament that it was their faith in Jesus that justified them in Gods sight, not their ability to follow the rules.
Galations 3:5
“I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.”
Galations 3:19-26
“Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.
Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.
Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.
Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.”
It doesnt get any more clear than that. We were unable to keep the law because of sin and were thus unable to be in fellowship with God in heaven. God being the mercyful God that he is sent Jesus so that by believing in him we can get to know him anyway. Tattoos are irrelavant. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God couldnt possibly love us more than he already does and theres nothing we can do that will make him love us less. When we love God we will want to do what keeps are relationship with him as close as possible. Thats why Jesus said that if we love him we will follow his commands. Hes not saying that if we love him we need to force ourselves to do something we dont want to but that when you truely love God theres no greater desire than pleasing him.
If your thinking about getting a tattoo think real hard about why you want it. Is it based on vanity and wanting to look cool? Maybe idolatry and putting more importance on the way people see you than your relationship with God? I have a couple tattoos that I got before I became a Christian that I really regret. Tattoos arnt wrong in themselves. If you have faith in Jesus Christ and truely love God with every ounce of your being and you still want a tattoo go for it. A Christian tattoo can be a great conversation starter and evangilistic tool to get people talking and asking questions about your faith. faith.
Yes, there are different types of laws in the Old Testament. But, when Our Lord said “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5: 17,18 – N.I.V.) Jesus made a very sweeping statement – not the smallest letter or the least stroke of a pen, i.e., the whole Law is still in place until hell freezes over!
I believe that, when the New Testament teaches us that we have been set free from the Law, that does not mean that we are free to break it. It does mean that, by the grace of God, we are forgiven for breaking it, which we all do!
Peter lied three times when he denied Jesus and he was forgiven. But the commandment not to lie is still in force. That’s why Peter needed forgiveness.
When Ananias and Sapphira lied about their money they were struck dead (Acts 5: 1-11).
Peter and Ananias and Sapphira were all under an obligation to keep the commandment not to lie (Leviticus 19:11). But only Peter was under the grace of God, because he loved Jesus and abandoned everything to follow Him.
I believe that the Law applies to us Christians, too. Otherwise we would not need Jesus to have paid for our transgressions of that very Law by being sacrificed as a sin offering for us. Even when we take communion we are following the law regarding not eating meat with the blood still in it: Was not the blood of the Lamb drained out as He hung on the cross?
To state that Christians are not under the Law because it will no longer save us sounds too much like self-interest, i.e., we need only keep the law if we see a benefit to ourselves by keeping it…. I don’t think that’s exactly what Paul meant, but that seems to be the way he’s being interpreted! Paul wrote to the Galatians that it’s faith, and not the Law, that saves people. I believe that, but it’s no reason for anyone to turn their backs on the Law!
I think that Christians who don’t even try to keep the Law because they know that Jesus paid for their transgressions are like those young people whose daddies pay all their traffic fines: the more their daddies pay, the more they think they’re free to violate the law. I don’t think that’s the right way to accept Jesus.
Shouldn’t we keep the Law, as best as we can in today’s world, simply out of LOVE for God? Because “This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome,” (1 John 5:3 – New International Version)
Of course, in today’s world most people find it practically impossible to keep the Law down to the smallest letter or the least stroke of a pen. But I do happen to know that it’s very easy NOT to get tattooed….
The Word says that our bodies are not ours, but they were purchased for a price. They are temples of the Holy Spirit, and they belong to God.
The Word also says that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and that He doesn’t change.
With that being said, if God hated tattoos back then, then He hates them now. And since it’s His body and not ours, I have a hard time believing that He thinks it’s “ok” for us to do it.
Wouldn’t the scripture also be in reference to body piercing? Which would include ears…many ladies have their ears pierced, which might I add, do not need to be garnished with jewelry but left alone in hopes the holes will some day close. The scripture in Leviticus 19: 28 also said not to make any cuttings in your flesh
im am not a religiouse person. however i am a tattooed person. and i feel as do many many people who have tattoo’s that
1. it is an artform just like painting or music. it is a way for people to express themselfs whats important to them and things in the past that have shaped who they are as i person.
2. that all MY (and i emphasise my due to the fact that i am only speaking from my experience here) tattoos have a incredibly deep meaning about things that have happened in my life. fo example one of my tattoos is the moto from my family crest and both me and my dad went and got it together in memory of his mother who past away in october last year on my 18th birthday. my dad was before this extremely against tattoos but he felt this was a good way to not only keep his mother with him at all times but to honnor his family and heritage and to me it was a way to remember my granmother (who i was extremely close to). for both me and him this was a way to heel from the pain of loosing a loved one while we physicaly healed also.
how ever i do agree with many people that people who get a tattoo to look cool or tough are stupid. I get them to have a visual remind for me and other people of who i am as a person were have been in my life and what my beliefs are. i also apreaciated the artform itself. as an artist myself (i am a frelance musician / composer) as well as studying to be an audio engineer i aprieciate all forms of art from heavy metal to ballet and from tattoos to a Da Vincci painting. because as a artist myself i understand the passion and expression that goes into every piece and a true artists work should be instantly reconisable as theres due to there style which in the case of many world renound tattoo artist it is.
in conclussion im not trying to say that what the scriptures say is wrong or imorral or that it doesnt give u artistic freedom as a human being. all im am trying to voice is the other side of the story as there are too sides to the every situation
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 if 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.
Christian 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.
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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 – 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, that’s not for today. Man, that’s the Old Testament. I’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 – under the New Testament, approves of bestiality?
By the way, have you ever read Leviticus 19:29? The verse immediately AFTER the “it’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, it’s ONLY in the Old Testament Levitical Law (and “hey, dude, we’re NOT under the law”) – 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 “it’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 laws’ 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 Henry’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 Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Leviticus 19:28)
Well I have actually considered getting a tattoo. I´m 24 yrs old and have held out this long. Although my motive for getting a tattoo isn´t for being ¨cool¨ nor is it for my appearance. Maybe I could describe it and you tell me. I´d like to get a tattoo either on my back or on my arm of the gates of heaven with Jesus standing at them, and then at the top will be a verse from the Bible. I´d like to get it for my faith and as said earlier a Christian tattoo would be a great conversation started and could open up many opportunities for me to tell the people about the Lord. What do you guys think?
Leviticus 19:28 which says “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.”
This could be interpreted as; If you wish to get a tattoo, don’t have the the tattoo based on those who have passed.
In the Jewish faith we ‘sit shiva’ for 7 days
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_(Judaism) – which is a grief and mourning process. Many people visit and bring food and condolences. After which it is time to move forward with life. The last thing your fallen relative would want you to do is sacrifice your happiness and prosperity for grief. If your mourning process includes a tattoo the bring closure, than G-d will understand that you are a product of your society and need to mark your body to do so. Just make sure you are truly doing it for yourself and not because you found a reason to finally get a tattoo.
Keep in mind many people will interpret the meaning of G-d’s word how they see fit.
Thank you, Pastor Randy! I am in a sort a traditional family where tattoos are marks of shame. I’ve always wondered if all the things I’ve done pleases God… everyone tells me that, “It’s wrong to get a tattoo if you’re Christian.” I never understood that.
Hi all, here’s my opinion.
Christians pick and choose what they want to believe. This topic, for most, has nothing to do with God’s law, or what’s right. Even to the people replying above. They are projecting American Culture.
You mean to tell me that the same guy that says we are not exempt from Old Testament Law, and adamantly argues against tattooing, never has shellfish with his seafood dinner? Or even shaved his beard before dinner? It is clearly forbidden in the Old Testament. Shellfish is only one example. The surrounding context of scripture surrounding Leviticus 19:28, against tattooing and cutting of flesh, also says you must not trim your beard among other things.
I bet that same person that condemns tattooing here would never think twice about his wife’s or daughter’s pierced ears. That’s because it is absolutely accepted by our American culture for females to have pierced ears. Who ever decided that was okay for females and not males anyway? Culture did. That is it. Tattooing, in American culture at least, is more controversial. So we find bible verses against it, yet take our daughters to find pretty earings at Christmas time.
This is why I read my bible and worship within the confines of my own home. Many are tripped up in the details of laws and rules and don’t think about what’s real. Personally, I don’t have any tattoos or piercings, so I’m not trying to convince myself it’s okay. My personal opinion is that if you love God and worship Him with a genuine heart, that is more real and meaningful to God than Christians bickering over rules and picking and choosing which ones to follow and leading a blind eye to others which is more of a result of modern American culture than actually being ignorant, uninformed, or being deliberately disobedient.
Thanks for listening. I welcome any thoughts.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pastor Randy I have actually thought about getting a tatoo on my butt, one on each cheak, m’s…. or was it w’s. I cant remember but when I do cartwheels it will read WOW MOM… WOW MOM… LOL!!! Just a joke!! I have no tatoos and will probably never get one. Not that I think they are wrong but because I just dont want one. But I do have friends that do have tatoos, Love Jesus and will make it to heaven when the time Jesus calls them home. I for one will never judge someone that has tatoos or piercings, yes they have harmed their bodies, and no it wont take them to hell, and yes I have eaten greasy burgers and fries from fast food resturants and clogged up some arteries and harmed my body. And I really hope that the ones stating that it is God’s law not to have tatoos because “we are the temple of God” have always eaten raw vegatables and nuts and fruits all your lives and never eaten anything that has harmed your body, especially after you recieved Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. Dont judge one that has tat’s or I think somewhere it says that our heavenly Father will judge you IN THAT SAME MATTER!!! Love you guys and thanks for reading my late night, very tired, response.
I agree with you Randy , that if it’s done in “Faith” , then it’s ok !! : )
Quirky is sexy, like scars or chipped teeth. I also like tattoos – they’re rebellious. ~Jennifer Aniston
WOW! What a lot of hogwash! Can any of us really know how God feels? NO! God’s feelings are so beyond our own that we cannot even begin to comprehend them! So no one can say for SURE what God feels about anything, including tattoos. The bible gives us an idea, but sometimes we misinterpret that!
Yes, I happen to have a tattoo and have a sister-in-law who is a tattoo artist. She does not do any inappropriate or distasteful tattoos. And she has become an awesome witness to many people who never hear the word of God. To so many, while getting their tattoo….she is the closest thing to a preacher they might hear for years or even life!
Why do we see tattoos as anything different from pierced ears, colored hair, or face lifts? Some of us view our tattoos as a way to glorify God. If my tattoo, religious in nature, gets 1 person asking questions about his/her salvation…..isn’t the tattoo worth it? Yes it is! I don’t think my tattoo will prevent my salvation and I don’t think God hates it. How could he….it is beautiful!
But you know what???? If my tattoo sacrifices my own salvation for the witnessing possiblilities….so be it. I would gladly sacrifice myself for another to be saved. I love God and I love His people. Can those of you who are bashing those of us with tattoos say the same?
By the way…to some of you saying we are not real christians because of our tattoos….SHAME ON YOU! It is not up to you to judge…THANK GOD!
The verse right after that, Leviticus 19:28 says: “Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry, and the land become full of wickedness.” Does that mean it’s okay to prostitute your daughter? Because we’re no longer under the “law” but under “grace?” Of course not. The word “law” is the Greek word “nomos” which means Law of Sin and Death. We are indeed no longer under the Law of Sin and Death because Jesus broke that at the cross. But He did not do away with the Old Testament as so many believe. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus was a Rabbi. He adhered to all of the Hebrew traditions and customs. God could have chosen any culture He wanted to be His chosen people – He chose the Jews. He cultivated that culture Himself. He taught them how to worship, how to conduct themselves in His presence and with each other. He gave them the symbolism and meanings behind the traditions He incorporated. What and then He throws it all away? I don’t think so. I encourage you to take a closer look at the Hebrew roots of your faith and don’t just take what you’ve learned and grown up with as gospel… so many of our teachers were taught wrong by their teachers and their teachers. It wasn’t their fault, but it has given us an incorrect concept of God’s Word, His Torah, God’s Teaching and Instruction.
I have never felt in my heart that I needed to alter my body because the Lord accepted me, and saved my soul, just as I am. He created me in my Mother’s womb and his plan for my body is much more important to me each day of my life. I just wonder, would others recognize me as a Christian if I had a tattoo?
I think not. I see tattoos as marking the body and it is not something you can get rid of easily…Many tattoos I have seen do not express the heart and sole of the person after they come to know the Lord….we are changed when we accept him as our Savior. Our Lord didn’t need a tattoo and neither do I.
Hi Gwynne,
You make my point exactly. If you want to talk about that passage, let’s.
I’m betting another man has touched you while you were on your period. Thousands of times.
I’m betting you know a man, perhaps your husband, that trims his beard. Forbidden
You may even enjoy Shrimp on occasion. Forbidden.
Why don’t you answer THOSE questions instead of only finding verses to agree with you. Again, Christians pick and choose what they want to believe. And it’s all based on our culture. For my whole point, scroll up a few comments and read what I say. It’s irrefutable. It invalidates your point, Gwynne. If I’m wrong, PLEASE show me how. I’m a Christian and have been searching for years for someone to show me how I’m wrong. I want to believe my fellow Christians are right when they pick and choose things to follow and not to follow then blast other Christians for not following “God’s Law” as they see fit that day.
An additional intriguing piece of writing coming from your weblog :) When will it end….hopefully never ever
Doesnt being a Christian mean we need to not JUDGE others? Because whose job is that?? Hmm? Not yours, Not mine, Not ANY earthly being. GOD IS THE ONLY JUDGE, JURY, LAWYER, and heck, COURTROOM! Im not perfect, i have never claimed to be, but those of you who point fingers should make sure their hands are clean. I feel that if you are happy with YOUR OWN PERSONAL faith, and you treat others the way you would like to be treated, and do good things for others, follow the 10 commandments, and pray EVERYDAY, then i dont feel that everything else would count for that much against you on Judgement Day. And to Mr. FRANK MITCHELL- I really do pray for you, cause being sexist is not a healthy thing, scratch that, HATE is never a healthy thing. GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!! <3
I am not a man who goes to church but does believe in god. My wife went behind my back and got a tattoo 3 yrs ago while claiming to be a good christian and attending church every sunday.when asked why she hadn’t talked with me about it..she says that she knew i would talk her out of it. Guess gods or my opinion don’t matter. By the way…we are now seperated…cause it is not right for me to come home and have a drink after work. sorry just have hard time understanding this new world we live in.
Frankly I was shocked that a Christian would read ” Do not cut your bodies… or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD” . Leviticus 19:28, and afterwords still go and get a tattoo. Must be a milktoast kind of Christian. Despite the fact that command was given to the Jews, as you say in your technical argument, if God said it to the Jews, then He knows that tattoos are not a good thing. And before you go taking about “saved by grace” again, remember that you must obey after being saved.
Hebrews 10:26-30 (New Living Translation)
26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.
ROB!!
Yet another that makes my point precisely! I want real answers to my inquiries. This is becoming a stumbling block to my faith. Will anyone please help me? I’m going to stay on this thread till someone notices and stops blathering on with irrelevant arguments like Rob.
Read the posts by me, “Chris”
I love how Rob strategically omitted the words “for the dead” from his quoting of the verse. That’s a whole other argument. My point is, Christians pick and choose what they want that fits their needs: like Rob just did, in a small way.
well what is the big point of not being able to get tattoos
I have read through this entire thread and the only person that makes any sense whatsoever is Chris. The rest just come across as judgemental bigots ONLY GOD can judge us and being a Sunday Christian and not a kind and generous thoughtful person who does not judge is far more important to him. Wake up people and stop picking out only the bible versus that suit what your own opinion agrees with. As for cutting of the flesh has no one ever had a operation would that not then be a sin?
Let’s take a hypothetical person and call him (her) XYZ:
1) Let’s assume that Jesus was crucified to save a lot of people but NOT XYZ: In this case, XYZ will be tried, condemned and cast into the lake of fire on the Day of Judgement. He (she) will be condemned for everything, including for eating shrimps, trimming his beard, killing people, having a tattoo or whatever. “…The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” (Revelation 20: 12)
2) Now let’s assume that XYZ is one of those that Jesus came to save, so Jesus WAS crucified to save XYZ: In this case, XYZ has already been judged, condemned and punished, by being put to death in the person of Jesus Christ as He hung on the cross. So on the day of Judgement XYZ will NOT go on trial again, even if he (she) broke a lot of laws including the one about tattoos. It’s the DOUBLE JEOPARDY RULE.
But the Law still exists. It has not been abolished. So, when people say that a Christian has been “freed” from the Law, it simply means that one has been freed from its consequences, by Jesus, when He took His people’s sins upon Himself.
I get a kick out of people who pick and choose the parts of the Bible they want to recognize. The Old Testament, people, is part of the Bible. If you choose to ignore Leviticus, you might as well ignore the rest of the Old Testament. How about the Ten Commandments? What if I choose to ignore Though Shalt Not Kill because it does not suit my desires? The Bible directly tells us not to get tattoos, so believers should not get tattoos. The ultimate offense? When I see a Jew with a Star of David tattoo or a Christian with a cross tattoo. You might as well throw your Bible away because you are not recognizing its edicts.We all sometimes break Biblical law, but not so blantantly purposefully. The Bible is not a book of suggestions; it’s Christian law. True Christians should make every attempt to live as the Good Book commands.
I respectfully have to disagree with you on this one bro. ALL of the OT law does NOT apply to “gentile” Christians. (A “gentile” is anybody who is not of the Hebrew race.) In Acts 15 there was a controversy similar to this one. It was over whether or not gentiles should be circumcised when they became Christians. In this story a council was formed to solve the controversy. This council debated heavily about what should be required of new gentile Christians. Of the whole Old Testament law, they decided that the gentiles should “abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.” (Acts 15:20) That doesn’t mean that nothing else applies. The Ten Commandments still apply. But the rules about mixing cloth types in clothes, tattoos, menstrual cycles, etc fall under the Jewish Ceremonial Laws. Those do not apply to gentiles Christians, unless they are reaffirmed in the Ten Commandments or in the New Testament.
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog!
Randy
Randy,
No disrespect intended, but my feeling is that the Old Testament is included in the Bible for a reason. While portions may not be specifically directed toward gentiles, most of the overall lessons remain valid. The evident intent of Lev. 19:26-28 is to condemn the various practices of paganism and witchcraft that were prevalent at the time…tattooing being one of them. I don’t see how that’s irrelevant to Christians today.
Interestingly, today’s popularity of tattoos arose in prisons and street gangs, where the markings were and still are used as identification badges. The fashion has spread to the general population over the past 15 years, and thus it can be deduced that the current popularity of tattoos once again has an origin of evil. In 1 Thessalonians 5:22, we are instructed to “abstain from all appearance of evil.”
The Bible makes several other indirect suggestions that Christians might want to avoid tattoos. Not to insult your intelligence, but 1 Cor 6:19 says the body is a Temple of the Lord, and we are also instructed to be “separate from the world” in 2 Cor. 6:17. One who follows questionable worldly fashion trends might not be getting the point.
My personal belief (which i have no tattoos), Christ died on the cross for all that have posted to this post, and countless trillions who have accepted Him as their savior and Lord the amount that Christ has saved, and is continuing to save till His return is innumberable, and saying that; it does’nt matter if you have ink from head to toe, nor not a drop on your body, Christ paid a price that was far too much to pay for you not to be covered by His blood, If you are washed in the blood of Christ it makes you white as snow, just as if you had never sinned. Tattooing may or may not be a sin….i dont know, but to say its wrong to receive a tattoo to glorify God, and in the same since sit down and eat beyond your need, which is gluttony and feel fine about that is american paganism… Is there anybody opposing tattoos, or any other part of the law, that is posting to this blog, guiltless of this…. to be continued…..
Randy Bryan, re your comment of September 19, please see the following:
“You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 24: 22)
“The same law applies to the native-born and to the alien living among you.” (Exodus 12: 49)
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3: 28, 29)
The whole discussion in Acts 15 was to refute those who said that a person cannot be saved unless he keeps the Law.
(1) Yes, salvation does come through grace, and NOT by keeping the Law.
(2) But ALL of the Law still stands (Jesus said so in Matthew 5: 17-19) and we should try to keep it – not to “purchase” salvation but out of love for God.
Two SEPARATE aspects which so many theologians seem to have got mixed up!!!
Wow, I am so impressed by all of the readers diligence in reading the scriptures and applying them so well. I see the views of both sides and I think the scriptures are very clear, it is about a real living genuine Faith as Pastor Randy said. It seems that many disagree with how Faith is lived out. I like the person who asked “why” are you doing it. Is it for self expression or a reflection of your Walk with God? Is it ALL about God or yourself? Those might be easier questions to answer than understanding all of the scripture points, but for some it may be a hard pill to swallow.
i dont think so i am getting one and i follow god i am 16 but i dont care its a tattoo
did jesus tell you to open your mind ?if yes .then nothing wrong with the tattoo
I believe that the law is still there as a guide for our lives, and we should all strive to be christlike in life. No man/woman is able to keep the law of the old testament and Jesus is the way, the truth and the light. He forgives us thru Jesus’s bloodshed. Once you are saved you should strive to conform to the law of the old testament but no man can really keep the law. Our heart is not really known to anyone except God, so we can’t be judgemental on who is saved and who is not. Getting a tatoo after being saved is not a Godly/Christlike act but the forgiveness of Jesus is still available to that person. #betweenyounGodbuthiswordisclearoldandnew
Leviticus 18:22 reads “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.”
As you’ve said, Christians are not bound by Jewish law. Are you against homosexuality? If so, should you not also be against tattoos?
isnt their also a law in the old testiment that sais somthing to the affect of men should not where that which pertaineth to a woman and also our bodies are the holy temple of God theirfore we should be carefull what we do with it
My question to all those arguing the pagan origins of tattooing and piercings: how many of you celebrate Easter and Christmas? Deuteronomy specifically speaks out against cutting down a tree and decorating it with silver and gold… How many of those who say we are to still honor the law honor the over 600 laws in the old testament? How many of you practice the kosher laws? How many of you celebrate the God-ordained Jewish holidays (Passover was supposed to be celebrated forever)?
Here’s my 2 cents…
According to the Bible, Jesus did not come to do away with the Torah (since he is the Torah) and the Prophets. He followed the instructions that He gave Moses for the Jews, the Chosen People, to show his followers that we can walk out Torah, to show us how to live.
Furthermore, Gentile believers of Jesus are engrafted in the vine that is Israel, not the other way around. We have the benefits that Israel enjoys (I will bless him that blesses you… curse him that curses you), but are subject to those very commands that God established in the first five books, the Torah, as it were.
I have done research into tattoos (I myself do not have one) and the conclusion I reached is that tattoos had and stil have pagan background. Our Lord, our Elohim, does not want us to partake in anything that has any pagan background. Here is what Ex. 20:3-4 says… “Do not have any other gods before me. you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” Tattoos are carvings of images, which HaShem clearly forbids here… IN Lev. 19:28, in the original Hebrew, the term used for marks is “k’thoveth qa’aqa” which is translated “writing that is stuck in.” Rabbis point that this is the same thing as what we call “tattoos” nowadays. Tattooing is a violation of our sense ot b’tzelem Elohim” or that we are “created in the image of God.”
Furthermore, the Greek word “charagma” is used when talking about the mark of the Beast. This word means “graven image, carved.” Apply this to what is said in Lev 19:28, and tattoos are false idols that should not be applied to Christians. It is the way of the heathen, and is it our duty as followes of Yahweh to not only reach out to those people who have no knolwedge of Jesus, but to inform the believers who have been deceived into believing a certain way that goes against HaShem’s commands.
And I strive to follow HaShem’s commands, but don’t forget that God loves you even if you get one, it will not void your salvation, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt Him. As for me, I do not want to hurt God and displease him.
We gotta get serious, Yeshua is coming soon.
Tattoos are dumb, and trashy looking.
Randy,
That is a very interesting article, but I thought I should bring to your attention, the word “tat” is considered, choppy, street like, and tattoo artist crinch when they hear it. Look up “stop saying the word “tat” is ghetto” It’s actually a pretty fun article. :)