Tatoos

[stanley123]

* There is one passage that seems to teach against such things, Leviticus chapter 19, verse 28, which says:*
You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.
However, only nine verses earlier in the same chapter …

Why go nine verses earlier? Why not just continue reading the next verse which tells people not to cause their daughter to be a whore? Would you disagree with this passage Lev 19:29 which immediately follows Lev 19:28? And do you disagree with Lev:19: 30, 31, 32 which follow?

 

[Karin]

stanley123:

Why go nine verses earlier? Why not just continue reading the next verse which tells people not to cause their daughter to be a whore? Would you disagree with this passage Lev 19:29 which immediately follows Lev 19:28? And do you disagree with Lev:19: 30, 31, 32 which follow?

The point of my post (which FYI was taken from anothers website please see SOURCE and was NOT written by me) is that

The book of Romans (and the rest of the New Testament for that matter) emphasizes that we are no longer under that Law. Jesus paid for our sins, so people no longer have to try “cleaning themselves” to be worthy of being around a holy God.SOURCE

ALSO

***The bottom line is that the Bible does not clearly define tattoos and body piercing as a sin.

***There is one thing to consider, though. Since people react to tattoos, short skirts, beards, motorcycles, smoking, and other things in unpredictable ways; a Christian must determine what their “audience” (Christian and non-Christian) will think about Christians (using that person as the example of their admiration or scorn) if they appear or behave in some way. That said, this issue becomes a “matter of conscience.” Romans 14:1-15.6 (chapter 14 verse 1 through chapter 15 verse 6) discusses matters of conscience and uses food as an example. Therefore, each Christian should thoughtfully examine this passage, and modify their appearance or behavior accordingly.
SOURCE

 

[stanley123]

Karin:

The point of my post … is that

*The book of Romans (and the rest of the New Testament for that matter) emphasizes that we are no longer under that Law. *E

Does that then meant that we are free to disregard Lev19:29 and that it is all right for a parent to cause his daughter to be a whore, which is prohibited by the Old Law Lev19:29, the verse directly following the prohibition given to us by the Lord, in which the Lord prohibits tattoos?

 

[Karin]

stanley123:

Does that then meant that we are free to disregard Lev19:29 and that it is all right for a parent to cause his daughter to be a whore, which is prohibited by the Old Law Lev19:29, the verse directly following the prohibition given to us by the Lord, in which the Lord prohibits tattoos?

Let me answer your question with another one…(it seems that you are out to imply that we follow all of Leviticus?)
Are we allowed to disregard or do we pick and choose what to follow?
Lev 19:19(Keep ye my laws. Thou shalt not make thy cattle to gender with beasts of any other kind. Thou shalt not sow thy field with different seeds. Thou shalt not wear a garment that is woven of two sorts.) forbids crossbreeding of livestock yet the church allows; forbids sowing a field with mixed feed, yet farmers are not condemned who plant hay and alfalfa.
Lev 11:7 (*And the swine, which, though it divideth the hoof, cheweth not the cud.) *forbids the eating of pigs
Lev 11:9-10 (*9 These are the things that breed in the waters, and which it is lawful to eat. All that hath fins, and scales, as well in the sea, as in the rivers, and the pools, you shall eat. 10 But whatsoever hath not fins and scales, of those things that move and live in the waters, shall be an abomination to you,) *forbids the eating of any seafood that doesn’t have fins and scales, yet shrimp and lobster lovers are not told to repent by Christians.

 

[Karin]

*Many, if not all of us, in the world of tattoo have had Leviticus 19:28 thrown in our faces - “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” Usually it is meant to condemn either our profession or our obviously decorated skin. *
*Let’s shed some light on the subject by looking at it through Scriptural doctrines - the law with its conviction, and grace with its freedom. *

*First, by researching references to Leviticus 19:28, we find it refers to a heathen practice meant to invoke the attention of pagan gods - and usually by means of cutting oneself to “prove” one’s sincerity (see also Leviticus 21:5, Jeremiah 16:6, and Deuteronomy 14:1). It was an attempt to make oneself worthy to approach some graven image of a god through self-abasement. God rightly admonished His chosen people not to follow the pagan rituals of such false "religions". *

*However, some critics will still hold fast to the literal letter of the law and conclude that regard- less of its textual meaning, the act of tattooing is still forbidden. Granted, the entire Bible is indeed the inspired literal Word of the living God, but it also represents a progressive revelation of its Author - His nature, His grace and His plan for redemption. Taken in the context of God’s plan to restore mankind into fellowship with Him, the law was given to show us that we could not redeem ourselves by our own efforts. *

Paul writes in Romans that no man will be justified by the law - that it was given to reveal sin. Only through faith in the free gift of God’s grace, found in the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, can man be justified (Romans 3:20-26). In fact, Jesus actually redeemed us from the law and its curse (Galatians 3:13*, see also Galatians 3:22). *

But if one wants to live by the law - the Old Covenant - then one must keep all of it (James 2:10). Transgressing any part of the law means we are guilty of transgressing all of it. According to Levitical law, we may not eat the meat of rabbits or pigs (Leviticus 11:6-7), nor lobsters, crabs, prawns, oysters or clams (Leviticus 11:10-12). Hybrid breeding of livestock and mixing linen and wool in fabrics is prohibited (Leviticus 19:19). Shaving the sides of your head (being clean shaven) or disfiguring the edges of your beard (trimming) are also forbidden (Leviticus 19:27***). So - if you’ve ever eaten a pork sandwich, dined on Maine lobster, trimmed your beard or worn a wool blend suit - or have gotten a tattoo - you’re guilty under the law! **Thank God that He has provided a better way for us to be reconciled to Him! A New Covenant! Romans 5:1-2 says we are justified by faith, given right standing with God through the Lord Jesus Christ (see also Romans 5:8-11). The entire 5th chapter of Galatians deals with this issue - contrasting the law and liberty, the lusts of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. ***

**CONTINUED **

 

[Karin]

But if one wants to live by the law - the Old Covenant - then one must keep all of it (James 2:10). Transgressing any part of the law means we are guilty of transgressing all of it. According to Levitical law, we may not eat the meat of rabbits or pigs (Leviticus 11:6-7), nor lobsters, crabs, prawns, oysters or clams (Leviticus 11:10-12). Hybrid breeding of livestock and mixing linen and wool in fabrics is prohibited (Leviticus 19:19). Shaving the sides of your head (being clean shaven) or disfiguring the edges of your beard (trimming) are also forbidden (Leviticus 19:27*). So - if you’ve ever eaten a pork sandwich, dined on Maine lobster, trimmed your beard or worn a wool blend suit - or have gotten a tattoo - you’re guilty under the law! *

 

[stanley123]

Karin:

Let me answer your question with another one…(it seems that you are out to imply that we follow all of Leviticus?)
Are we allowed to disregard or do we pick and choose what to follow? .

I would be inclined to say that all Christians are seriously obligated to follow Lev19:28-32. There is no right to pick and choose from Lev 19:28-32, in my personal opinion.
Also, as referenced in previous posts there are many more reasons why there is a serious moral obligation to follow Lev19:28, including references in the NT, health problems, associations with Satanic cults, arguments from the natural law, etc.

 

[Karin]

stanley123:

I would be inclined to say that all Christians are seriously obligated to follow Lev19:28-32…

See you are picking and choosing what to follow…why not follow ALL of Leviticus?

---

stanley123:

There is no right to pick and choose from Lev 19:28-32, in my personal opinion…

So you can totally disregard the rest of Leviticus (Lev19:19; Lev11:7; Lev11:9-10) is what you are saying? Pick and choose which of the Laws you want to follow?

stanley123:

Also, as referenced in previous posts there are many more reasons why there is a serious moral obligation to follow Lev19:28, including references in the NT, health problems, associations with Satanic cults, arguments from the natural law, etc.

In regards to health concerns…you run the same risk going to a dentist (in regards to contracting HEP C); I have several tattoos and none depict Satan or his minnions(sp?)
Also I have piercings…ears and nose.
If we are to follow Leviticus as you suggest than perhaps we should not have our ears pierced either?!?!

 

[stanley123]

Karin:

See you are picking and choosing what to follow…
Also I have piercings…ears and nose.
If we are to follow Leviticus as you suggest than perhaps we should not have our ears pierced either?!?!

Yes. I choose to follow what the Lord saith and what God hath ordained, and I choose to reject what Satan has supported and directed, as indicated for example, by the Rolling Stones magazine article that is referenced above, and as well by other sources. I reject Satan, and demonic practices and I choose the Lord. That is my choice to follow the Lord and what He has commanded in Lev 19:28-32. Of course it is my personal opinion that it would be a sin to have any piercings of your body as you have described. This is in conformity with Lev 19:28 and the NT references and the other comments that I have already made and the other references that I have given above.

 

[Karin]

stanley123:

Yes. I choose to follow what the Lord saith and what God hath ordained, and I choose to reject what Satan has supported and directed, as indicated for example, by the Rolling Stones magazine article that is referenced above, and as well by other sources. I reject Satan, and demonic practices and I choose the Lord. That is my choice to follow the Lord and what He has commanded in Lev 19:28-32. Of course it is my personal opinion that it would be a sin to have any piercings of your body as you have described. This is in conformity with Lev 19:28 and the NT references and the other comments that I have already made and the other references that I have given above.

It would seem that you are picking and choosing what to follow…if you believe so strongly that Lev 19:28-32 should be followed than you should follow** ALL **of Leviticus not just certain sections .

 

[Karin]

stanley123:

There is no right to pick and choose from Lev 19:28-32, in my personal opinion…

Karin:

So you can totally disregard the rest of Leviticus (Lev19:19; Lev11:7; Lev11:9-10) is what you are saying? Pick and choose which of the Laws you want to follow?

 

[Karin]

*One must be very careful about trying to use Old Testament passages as proof-texts for what one may or may not practice in the Christian age. It is a fundamental aspect of Bible doctrine that the Mosaic system was abrogated by the death of Christ (Eph. 2:14ff; Col. 2:14ff). The law of Moses, therefore, is not the Christian’s standard by which to measure conduct. *

*The following observations are in order: *

*This same chapter (Leviticus 19) also provides instruction for appropriate conduct in conjunction with offering animal sacrifices. It requires leaving certain portions of one’s crops unharvested (in the interest of the poor). The sowing of two types of seed in the same field is prohibited. The Hebrews were not to wear a garment with two different fabrics combined (e.g., wool and linen). When new fruit trees were planted, none of the fruit was to be eaten for the first three years. There are restrictions about how the man’s hair was to be cut, and the manner in which his beard might not be trimmed. Keeping the Sabbath is enjoined, etc. *

***Why should we focus on one of these injunctions to the exclusion of the others? ***

*The immediate context of Leviticus 19:27-28 suggests that Moses was attempting to inoculate Israel against the emulation of certain heathen practices related to idolatry. For example, the prophet forbids “cutting the flesh” in the passage under consideration; yet no one contends that medical surgery is being condemned. Rather, “cuttings” in the flesh “for the dead” are in view (cf. also 1 Kgs. 18:28). This was an idolatrous practice. *

***Since the New Testament does not address the issue of tattooing specifically, one must be guided by principle. Any practice that is vulgar, gaudy, or a distraction to one’s Christian influence should be avoided. But, to some extent, this is a matter of taste and judgment. ***

****SOURCE

 

[Homebrew_roots]

Stanley, are you saying that ear piercings are wrong? If that is the case, i dont know single chic who isnt guilty of that. And please quit repeating yourself. And just so you know, lots of stuff has pagan origins besides tattoos and names of the months.

 

[Homebrew_roots]

oh yeah. and somewhere in your posts i read that you say it is a sin to conciously inflict any pain to our bodies. I pose this question to you: Is it a sin for me to skateboard? I ask this because i do have full knowlege that i will hurt myself in this activity and have done so quite often over the years. Is that wrong for me to do?

 

[Karin]

Homebrew_roots:

oh yeah. and somewhere in your posts i read that you say it is a sin to conciously inflict any pain to our bodies. I pose this question to you: Is it a sin for me to skateboard? I ask this because i do have full knowlege that i will hurt myself in this activity and have done so quite often over the years. Is that wrong for me to do?

Please let me also state…never once while getting any of my tattoos have I been in pain…all four of them did not hurt to get
I do think that getting my ears pierced for the third time did hurt and getting my nose pierced did not hurt either.

 

[deb1]

Within the Old Testament there is a law stating that disobedient children-I think that it meant adults-can be stoned, as can women who loose their virginity before marriage. Many people who quote the Old Testament to support their beliefs will often state that they are simply following the verses that depict moral actions. The problem with this is that stoning someone could, in some socieities, be considered a moral action. We certainly don’t think that now.

If I had never read any part of the bible except the New Testament, I would still come to the conclusion that doing activities such as ‘whoreing out my daughter’ would be wrong. I can know that without ever having picked up the Old Testament.

Some people state the verse about our body being a temple to support not getting a tattoo. But many people see tattoos as artwork; in a sense they are decorating their temples.

 

[deb1]

Homebrew_roots:

oh yeah. and somewhere in your posts i read that you say it is a sin to conciously inflict any pain to our bodies. I pose this question to you: Is it a sin for me to skateboard? I ask this because i do have full knowlege that i will hurt myself in this activity and have done so quite often over the years. Is that wrong for me to do?

As long as you take proper safety precautions, like wearing a helmet and aren’t taking obviously stupid risks then I can’t imagine that skateboarding would be a sin.

 

[Karin]

deb1:

But many people see tattoos as artwork; in a sense they are decorating their temples.

That was very well put Deb1!!

 

[deb1]

In the 16th chapter of Ezekiel God uses a metaphor to describe his relationship with Israel. He says that he found a female baby(Israel) that no one wanted and brought her up until she reached a marriagable age. Then he dressed her and gave her many fine ornaments. She did not appreciate his gifts or his love and committed adultery.(worshipped Idols)

A nose ring is one of the gifts that GOD gave his new bride is in Ezekel 16:11-12 I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms, a necklace about your neck, a ring in your nose, pendants in your ears and a glorious diadem upon your head.

 

[Homebrew_roots]

deb1:

As long as you take proper safety precautions, like wearing a helmet and aren’t taking obviously stupid risks then I can’t imagine that skateboarding would be a sin.

I absolutely refuse all safety equipment. Its cumbersome when moving that much. Is it a sin for me to skate without a helmet? I seriously doubt that it is. And any time that i go for a rail, even i would consider it a stupid risk. But a risk well worth taking if it goes as i intend it to. Is that a sin too?