Tattoos
and the Christian
Main
Text: Leviticus 19:26-31
This
passage from Leviticus is the primary addressing of tattoos in the Scriptures,
which first tells us that the Bible is almost completely silent on the issue.
Examining this passage in its context as a message to Israel reveals 8 COMMANDMENTS within the 6 verses that
share a common theme -- SANCTIFICATION (DON'T BE LIKE THE IDOLATROUS PAGAN
CULTURE AROUND YOU).
The
statement "I am Yahweh your God" bookends this section (at the end of 19:25 and
the end of 19:31). The statement emphasizes God's uniqueness and holiness as
opposed to Egyptian, Canaanite, or other pagan gods. The 8 COMMANDMENTS (mostly
prohibitions) are as follows:
1)
"You
shall not eat anything with blood"
a.
A practice of pagan cultures in
association with religious rituals, including drinking animal blood
2)
"You
shall not practice divination or soothsaying"
a.
Occult practices were popular among the
pagan cultures and, while sometimes legitimate and sometimes not, ultimately
performed by Satanic power.
b.
Divination and soothsaying are both
attempts to know the future or tell fortunes.
3)
"You
shall not round off the side-growth of your heads, nor harm the edges of your
beard"
a.
Apparently God didn't allow the "bowl
cut."
b.
This fashion of having sideburns shaved
and hair perfectly round around the top of the head was popular among the
Egyptians and worn by many idolators in the ancient world.
c.
Further evidence of this haircut
associated with idolatry is found in Jer. 9:25-26; 25:23
d.
God wants His people to withdraw from
anything associated with idol worship.
4)
"You
shall not make cuts in your body for the dead"
a.
Another common practice among pagan
cultures was for individuals to cut themselves on the face, arms, and/or legs
during a bereavement period for a lost friend or family member.
b.
These cuts would ultimately serve as
memorial scars.
c.
God does not approve of this type of
self-inflicted pain.
5)
"You
shall not make tattoo marks on yourselves"
a.
Tattoos
in the ancient world were usually made by means of a hot iron, ink, or paint.
b.
Many
people branded themselves with a tattoo as a tribute to a particular god or
goddess. This was what a tattoo almost always represented.
i.
Evidence
of a tattoo or brand-mark representing devotion to a deity is found in
Revelation.
ii.
Rev.
13:17 -- "...No one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who has THE MARK,
either the name of the beast or the number of his name."
1.
The
"MARK OF THE BEAST" (666, Rev. 13:18) is a symbolic tattoo.
2.
In
the context of Revelation, the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth
represent the Roman Empire and the enforcement of emperor worship.
3.
The
TATTOO OF THE BEAST is symbolic of those who support the worship of a man
(specifically the emperor but could apply to any idol) through their words and
actions, not necessarily accepting a literal tattoo.
iii.
Rev.
14:1 -- "The Lamb was standing on Mt. Zion, and with Him one hundred and
forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on
their foreheads."
1.
The
contrast to those with the TATTOO representing their devotion to the world is
those who have the name of God tattooed on their forehead.
2.
This
is another symbol for devotion to God instead of to the powers of the world.
3.
This
does not mean that we must literally have God's name tattooed on our forehead
in order to show our devotion to Him. We show our devotion through our words
and actions that confess Christ.
c.
Similarly
to God prohibiting a GRAVEN IMAGE to be fashioned since we as humans are the
image of God, God prohibited Israel from trying to brand His name or the name
or symbol of any other god on their skin. This was another way to set His
people apart from the pagan culture. He wanted them to know that devotion to
YAHWEH is different than devotion to any other god.
6)
Do not profane your daughter by making her a
prostitute
a.
Obviously,
God doesn't approve, but this was a common practice among the pagan cultures.
7)
You shall keep My Sabbaths and revere My
Sanctuary
a.
Pagan
cultures had temples (sanctuaries) as well, but they did not reverence those
areas. They were often centers for sexual immorality, the drinking of blood,
and other immoral activities associated with the worship of their gods.
8)
Do
not turn to mediums or spiritists
a.
Another
very real form of the occult by Satanic power
b.
Mediums
and spiritists attempted to contact the dead
Christian
Interpretation:
Since Jesus nailed the
"certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us" (the commandments of the
Old Covenant) to the cross (Col. 2:14) and has made the first covenant obsolete
(Heb. 8:13) and inaugurated a new covenant through His death (Heb. 9:15-18),
this section of Leviticus 19 cannot apply directly to us. It was intended for
Israel under their covenant so that they would be separated from the pagan
cultures and the temptation to fall into pagan worship and lifestyle. If we say
we should bind the tattoo prohibition on Christians, you better be prepared to
bind the haircut law of the previous verse, the dietary restrictions, and the
rest of the 613 commandments of Levitical Law.
New
Testament Texts:
So, what does the New
Testament say? The NT Scriptures are actually silent on the issue with the
exception of the noted passages in Revelation where TATTOO is just a symbol of
devotion to a deity. The closest reference we find is in:
Gal. 6:17 -- "From now on
let no one cause me (Paul) trouble, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of
Jesus."
Paul is not saying that
he got a long-haired picture of a good-looking Jesus or even the name of Jesus
tattooed on his body. He is most likely making reference to the scars he has
received from the beatings, scourgings, and stonings that he has endured for
Jesus's sake. He doesn't need a tattoo to show his devotion to his God. His
scars in service of his God are a more powerful witness. This also fits into
the context of Galatians, where he says that neither the marks of circumcision
nor uncircumcision matter for the Christian. These are not signs of devotion to
Christ, but evidence of faithful service is.
The
Concept of Liberty:
Since the
New Testament does not directly address tattoos and we should not be bound by
Israel's covenant, we must place tattoos under the UMBRELLA OF LIBERTY.
Christian Liberty is chiefly addressed in 1 Corinthians 8-9 and Romans 14. A
practice that is not addressed either by command, example, or necessary
inference should fall under LIBERTY or MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE. Eating meat of
animals that were sacrificed to idols is the classic New Testament example.
Liberty means that there is not a definite "yes" or "no" to the question of
whether a Christian should get a tattoo. It becomes a matter of personal
conscience. And one better be sure in his conscience that he is okay with the
decision, because...
"Whatever does not
proceed from faith is sin." (Rom. 14:23)
Questions
for the Conscience:
These are my suggestions of questions that someone should
ask and pray about before getting a tattoo of any kind.
1)
What
are my motives for getting this tattoo?
a.
Possible wrong motives
i.
To
draw sexual attention to myself ("TRAMP STAMPS" and such)
ii.
To
defy those who don't think I should (Grandma doesn't want me to, so IN YOUR
FACE, GRANDMA!)
iii.
To
fit in with the world (Remember that we are not to be conformed to the world
but transformed -- Rom. 12:1-2)
2)
Will
this bring glory to God or to myself?
a.
Even with a religious tattoo, it's a
legitimate question
b.
Remember those who use religion to put the
focus on themselves (Matthew 6)
3)
Will
the tattoo be a source of contention between myself and my family?
4)
Would
getting a tattoo cause me to disobey my parents?
a.
An especially important question for teens
and those who are still under their parents' support
5)
Would
my future spouse approve?
6)
Will
I still love this tattoo years from now?
a.
Skin will eventually sag
b.
Your taste will change
c.
Tattoos are permanent!
7)
Would
this tattoo affect my future employment opportunities?
a.
This is a practical one we do need to
consider
b.
If you're gonna get one, you better have
it somewhere you can cover it up...or you will immediately be disqualified from a
lot of jobs
8)
Even
if the tattoo is permissible, is it beneficial?
a.
1 Cor. 6:12 -- Paul quotes the Corinthians
who say "All things are lawful" but then follows it by saying "But not all
things are helpful/beneficial."
b.
Too many times we ask the wrong question.
Instead of "Is this wrong?", we should ask, "Is this right?" Instead of just
pushing the limits of what God allows, we should be considered with how will
this glorify God or benefit others?
In
Conclusion:
I can't say that the Bible condemns a Christian
getting a tattoo. But I do think it wise to consider the possible consequences,
pray about the issue, and come to terms honestly with your conscience before
deciding to get one. My suggestion is waiting until you are at least well into
your 20s (my wife, who knows some neurology, says 25 cause that's when the
frontal lobe that controls JUDGMENT is fully developed) before making an
informed decision.
A
Side Note on Judging:
Tattoos and body piercings are often some of the first
things we notice about individuals. We need to be careful to follow Jesus's
instructions:
"Do not judge by
appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24)
We tend to stereotype people, especially if they're
"ALL TATTED UP." Remember that we don't judge a book by its cover. Tattoos do
not mean that someone is in a gang, a convict, a drug dealer, a "thug," or
dangerous to your children. Love that person's soul, see them as God sees them,
and don't be afraid to approach them and share Jesus with them. And if they're
already members of your church, do not treat them as "lesser class citizens" or
as if they have a disease. You are not morally superior to them.
To His Glory,
Caleb
