Are you a Christian? Do you have a tattoo? Do you want a tattoo?

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Emil Byrd
6 years ago
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2 Tattoos & Jesus Are you a Christian? Do you have a tattoo? Do you want a tattoo? Is getting a tattoo something Christians should be doing? What is God s opinion on the topic? Over the past 10 years tattooing has become very popular for young and old alike. What used to be reserved for bikers or the military has now become mainstream culture. A lot of teenagers today either want or have tattoos. Moms and dads are getting tattoos. We even have reality T.V. shows that explore the art, business, and behind the scenes of tattooing. Surveys today reveal there are well over 20,000 tattoo shops in the U.S., yielding annual revenues of approximately $2 billion dollars. Surveys also reveal that 40% of Americans between the ages of have at least one tattoo. When you compare that to 1936 when only 6% of Americans had a tattoo, it becomes clearly evident that any previous negative stigma surrounding tattooing has long faded away. So how should Christians think through the world of body ink? 1. Getting a Tattoo is Not a Sin The bible does not directly address the topic of tattoos except in the Book of Leviticus. 2 of 7

3 Lev. 19:28 Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. This is the only verse in the bible that mentions a tattoo and is often used by those who are against tattoos to prove their case. After all it does say, Do not put tattoo marks on yourselves But take note that it also says, Do not cut your bodies. Does this mean that surgery is sinful? Obviously, not.the context of the scripture involves pagan mourning rituals involving dead bodies. During the writing of Leviticus, there were pagan religions that performed rituals for the dead that included cutting hair, cutting the body, and tattooing. God was forbidding Israel to be involved in these pagan cult practices. We must always consider the context of a bible passage and be careful not to make our personal opinion God s opinion. 2. Getting a Tattoo Can Be a Sin On the other hand, just clinging to the rational that the bible doesn t directly condemn something doesn t work either. For example, the bible doesn t directly condemn heroin addiction, sex trafficking, or ponzi schemes; but we know they are sinful and wrong based on general biblical principals. The same is true of getting a tattoo. 1 Cor. 6: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 3 of 7

4 When you get a tattoo the issue isn t the ink, it is what you are saying with the ink. Are you honoring God or dishonoring God? This is how the sinless act of tattooing can become sinful. It is all about what you are communicating with your tattoo that makes the difference. Think of it as a form of speech. With our speech we can glorify God or curse God, we can help others or tear them down. A tattoo should be approached in the same way. A tattoo can be a sin depending on what you are saying and how you are saying it. This is why it is always important to include God when you are considering a tattoo. Make it a point of prayer, consider all the practical ramifications, and ask God for His wisdom and guidance. It is a big decision with lasting consequences 4 of 7

5 Do You Want a Beer? Is it wrong for a Christian to drink alcohol? Is it wrong to have a glass of wine with a meal, a pint of beer with friends, or a cocktail at a business gathering? Today there has been much debate over Christians drinking alcohol. Most Christian Universities currently enforce a no drinking policy, most church staff are prohibited from drinking alcohol, and large segments of Christianity view drinking alcohol as being sinful. Where does God stand on the issue? I know this topic could occupy multiple pages of blog space, so in order to keep the discussion to a tolerable level, I want to share 3 principles that I hope will be helpful in navigating through this issue. 1. The Bible Assumes People Drink Alcohol. The vineyard and drinking wine was a central part of Israel s history (e.g. Festivals, weddings, Passover, etc.). The blessing of God was often described in terms of drinking wine (Prov. 3:9-10). We also see the first miracle performed by Jesus was turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), and Paul the Apostle recommending that Timothy drink wine instead of water to help his stomach problems (1 Tim. 5:23). Truth: You Can t Make a Biblical Case That Simply Drinking Alcohol is Sinful 5 of 7

6 2. God Allows Drinking But Prohibits Getting Drunk The Bible is filled with many scriptures that clearly state getting drunk is a sin (c.f. Deut. 21:20 Is. 5:11-13, Rom. 13:13, 1 Cor. 5:11, 1 Peter 4:3). There are also many scriptures that highlight how getting drunk can lead to other types of sins (c.f. Gen. 19:32-35, Prov. 4:17, 20:1, 21:17, Eph. 5:18). I suppose this begs the question, what is drunk?". Rather than tackle this slippery slope, I will let the authorities define this issue with their BOC ratings. Truth: It is Always a Sin to Drink in Order to Get Drunk 3. The Drinking Debate is a Cultural Debate I will never forget the first time I worked together with other pastors overseas in Europe. After a fruitful day of ministry, we celebrated all the Lord had done with a stein of beer at a local pub. It felt so countercultural to what I had been used to in the United States. Remembering the 1980 s Christian song, Hide the Beer the Pastor s Here, now felt like I was the one hiding the beer. It was at that point I realized the issue of drinking alcohol is not a biblical discussion but a cultural one. If you review church history you will find that all the church fathers drank alcohol. From Clement of Alexandria to Martin Luther, all of them 6 of 7

7 enjoyed social drinking. In fact, part of John Calvin s salary package included 7 barrels (250 gallons) of wine [1] Restricting Christians from drinking alcohol is primarily an American phenomena dating back to the early 1900 s with Prohibition. It was at that time the U.S. concerns over alcohol crossed over into the church and became a spiritual discussion. Today with the proliferation of alcohol sales being at an all-time high, Americans have certainly embraced drinking alcohol once again, thus exposing the unbiblical prohibition stance within the church. Truth: Don t Confuse Biblical Truth With Cultural Preferences I recognize there is much more that can be said on this topic as it relates to personal history, alcoholism, making a brother stumble, DUI laws, etc. But in order to keep this discussion to a blog level instead of a dissertation, I wanted to at least cover the basics in hopes of helping us live out our Faith in the Real World Cheers [1] Jim West, Drinking with Calvin and Luther: A History of Alcohol in the Church, (Oakdown, June 2003). 7 of 7

Further, under Acts 15:28-29 we learn what prohibitions have NOT been carried over, and that includes branding/tattoos.

Further, under Acts 15:28-29 we learn what prohibitions have NOT been carried over, and that includes branding/tattoos. What is the teaching of the Church on tattoos? You may be thinking of Leviticus 19:28 Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves. I am the LORD. and thinking that it is a sin