Welcome to Biblical or NOT Biblical #2

[fezzik]

And I too am glad that God looks upon my heart and not this stinking flesh!

I like that image. I'm a wuss, so I would never sit for the pain of a tatoo, but that image would probably look great.

As for the sin debate...the stretching/twisting/extension of scripture to cover beliefs that tatooing, mixed bathing, wearing shorts, billiards, bowling, etc. are sinful just makes me sad. I am sad that so much effort is spent focusing on issues like this instead of focusing on the heart of the individual, loving them, showing them the light of Christ and being the church to them and with them.

We are made in the image of God, not in a mold on an assembly line of holiness.

[dolfan]

Not unbiblical. I wouldn't do it, but I'm not a tattoo person. I've seen very few that are breathtakingly awesome, but I wouldn't have it on me.

The idea that tattooing is varnishing the temple ---- what about digging a ditch? You get spotted up doing that, too. But, we love us some ditches don't we? If you don't have any where you are, you ain't where I'm from.

On the flipside, I do see some merit to discouraging it for a whole host of reasons. The old law of unintended consequences being a biggie. And, then there is that type and manner of tattooing that some get to be sexually provocative ---- like the bottom of the back tattoos that some gals get and then wear clothes that are worn for the purpose of showing off that tattoo. I've known several who did that and fish for male comment on it, coyly and flirtatiously. So, there is an undeniable kind of tattoo-getting and wearing that is done for purposes that are counter to the faith. Of course, the moment you say that you're a prude, etc., to some. And, that's okay, too. The problem is that you can't change out of a tattoo if you change your mind and heart. You can't really hide it if you're going to wear a swimsuit where your intent is not to be provocative. So, I can see where that would be an issue. I know someone who has had precisely that dilemma.

Plus, I don't want my daughter to get a tattoo. So, I discourage it. That's just me.

[macgulley]

I have tattooed people at my church, including some with scripture tats, and one young women works at a tattoo place.

Now that's a full service church!! Don't the tattoo places dislike the competition?

[deb]

I have tattooed people at my church, including some with scripture tats, and one young women works at a tattoo place.

Now that's a full service church!! Don't the tattoo places dislike the competition?

Haha, that's funny! I read it that way too and had to reread it! Reminded me of the bulletin bloopers you see from time to time.

[Billy n NC]

Whats the difference between Tattooing and say

Tanning Beds....

running now. should I say scooting.

[dolfan]

Tans wear off.

I have a tanning bed at home. In the winter I use it to fight psoriasis on my legs.

[Full Quiver]

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are

If a tattoo is defiling the temple of God then NEVER would the Spirit reside in a person that has a tattoo. Think about it, a person with a tattoo could never be saved or Spirit filled because the temple is defiled. That Scripture is referring to the soul of man which can be and is cleansed by the washing of the Word. Our physical bodies are not cleansed as we read, meditate, and chew on the Word of God.

Now that I have truly found grace I am just flabbergasted by the stupidity of religion. I even apologized recently to my oldest child for the indoctrination I took part in filling her with. I told her I can't buy back those years but we can use that misguided way as a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ (religion is self-righteousness and void of Christ) and keep us near the cross.

[Brian]

Tans wear off.

But the cancer it might cause won't. Just messin'

Oh, BTW I don't encourage people to get tat's either. In fact I probably try to talk people down more than I have ever said to get one. Ya know, I don't think I have ever recomended anyone getting a tattoo ever. Weird huh?

My first one was the Tweety Bird (the one I covered) when I was 19. It was stupid and impulsive. My brother was actually going to get one, he called me up and asked me to come with him and he ended up backing out but paid for mine. I made the decision on the spot, no planning. Bad idea!
It wasn't until several years later than I got my second and third one's.

For me it wasn't at all to cover my body because I wasn't happy. I am completely happy with the body that God gave me, aside from the weight that I put on! My cousin and I have gone round and round on this very issue. He has said that if I was happy with myself then I wouldn't have put a tattoo over my skin. Seriously, it really isn't about that at all. I love me!

Anyway,.....sorry to highjack the thread PG.

[paul]

By no stretch of proof-texting is this a passage about tattoos.

Touche!

Yet when coupled with 1 Corinthians 6:19 (which does include reference to the individual's body), then a case against spiritual "vandalism" may be made. Vandalism may come in various forms. Tattooing (the analogous equivalent here to graffiti) would certainly be one.

Furthermore, modesty (in principle) is about not drawing undue or inappropriate attention to one's self. Tattooing would generally serve to be a violation of this principle as well.

It comes as no surprise then, I'm sure, but...

My vote -- NOT Biblical.

I am starting to get very concerned about the lack of contextual exegesis being used to support preconceived views. Chris, read the entire section from which you pulled that scripture. Can you tell what the subject is?

(In the interest of moving the discussion along, I'll answer my own question: sexual immorality.) To extrapolate from that passage anything OTHER than sexual immorality does violence to the scriptures and is simply not accurate.

I am an old-timer in this regard: never liked tattoos very much at all. I can't imagine any design I like enough to have someone cram ink under my skin with thousands of needle pricks and mark me permanently. I have tattooed people at my church, including some with scripture tats, and one young women works at a tattoo place.

BUT -- I can't find enough NEW TESTAMENT to support a view that tats are prohibited.

Paul uses Temple imagery four times in keeping with its old testament precedents 1 Cor 3:16-17 2 Cor 6:16 Eph 2:22 where God dwells in the mist of the people by means of tabernacle and temple, and once more in keeping with the promised new covenant 1 Cor 6:19-20, where the temple is now the body of the believer, "who is in you, whom yoou have received from God."Paul introductory " do you not iknow" .."you are the temple of God" ( In Corinth)

Paul's thrust was not any physical defilement...he was trying to get them to understand that by their contension over leaders in name of human wisdom. Paul laid the foundation of Christ, now the church was being built on wood, hay and stuble. That they must build on gold, silver, costly stones = the gospel of Jesus CHrist.

Paul statement here of defilement is not body art, but rather leaning to mans wisdom, and the division that it brings and how that destroys the image of the temple of God in the City of Corinth, which should be a place of alternative to all the pagan temples that occupied Corinth.

[Full Quiver]

Amen Paul! In the OT folks defiled the temple by entering into it with uncovered sin not by damaging the building itself or spray painting graffiti on it.

[Ilovebigcats]

That said, if one got a tat to cover up another bothersome tat (as Brian mentioned above) I could see the value in that. That's the exception however, and not the rule.

You just contradicted yourself. If it's wrong the first time then it would certainly be wrong the second time.

****

I have heard a certain minister say that he would make potential members REMOVE tatts before taking them into membership.

[Russell Roberts]

Pastor Gary Said,

I am starting to get very concerned about the lack of contextual exegesis being used to support preconceived views.

Give this man a CIGAR!

P.S. I love the tat and there is absolutely no scriptural injunction against it. The Torah was given to only one ethnic group for a temporary period of time. It doesn't apply to Christians. We aren't and never have been under the law.

[Poimen]

You just contradicted yourself. If it's wrong the first time then it would certainly be wrong the second time.

What part of exception and not the rule don't you understand?


I'll go ya one further ... if I have a member with an especially offensive (presumably visible) tattoo, and they cannot afford removal, I would encourage them to get a cover tat (paint over that graffiti, doy!). And, I would also make sure and tell others not to go that route in the first place, and save themselves trouble.

[Pastor Gary]

I have tattooed people at my church, including some with scripture tats, and one young women works at a tattoo place.

Now that's a full service church!! Don't the tattoo places dislike the competition?

Yeah... pretty awkward construction for someone who writes academic papers each week. Maybe, "I have some tattooed people..."?