I’ve been doing a lot of travelling lately, primarily by air. While seated in close proximity to someone on an aircraft, you get to know someone’s story pretty well in a short period of time. Normally, the conversation starts off polite and cordial with simple questions like, “So, are you headed home?” or “Did you enjoy your trip?”. But, typically, there is one question during the flight that causes the discussion to change direction to a more significant matter. This question can vary and can be packaged in many different ways, but at its essence is the basic question, “So, tell me your story?”
This happened recently while I was talking to a young man named Matt. By all appearances, he was your typical GenX’er: cargo shorts, a worn t-shirt, sandals, and tattoos covering his arms and legs. I have to admit, the tattoos were a little bit over the top for me, and I immediately stereotyped him. I assumed he was probably some drummer in a secular rock band; yet, I was humbled and deeply convicted to learn that Matt was actually a passionate Christian who was surprisingly mature and served at his local church as a Youth Pastor. My intrigue got the best of me, and I could not resist asking him, “So, what’s up with all your tattoos?”. Matt was somewhat savvy in his response. Instead of responding quickly, he answered my question with a question. He replied, “Why do you ask?”. I shared with him that I have been spending a lot of time lately thinking about the diverse ways every generation of Christians express worship toward God. I have noticed that more and more young Christians are getting tattoos, and I wondered if there was any connection between worship and the tattoos. Through my conversations with Matt, he assured me that for him there was a definite connection. To my surprise, instead of viewing his tattoos as an act of rebellion, he considered them a supreme act of worship. For Matt, each tattoo was a work of art that told the story of his faith and the amazing work that Christ performed in his life.
Again, I feel compelled to admit that his sincerity and depth of conviction forced me to reflect. Until recently, I was staunchly opposed to tattoos in all cases. However, Matt’s heart and devotion caused me to revisit what the Bible has to say about the issue of tattoos. The clearest verse on the matter in Leviticus 19:28, which says “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” On the surface it seems like the scripture can’t be any clearer on the matter, and the issue of whether a Christian should get a tattoo an open and shut issue. Yet, one of the steps to good Bible interpretation is contextualization, or reconnecting a verse back to its original audience and setting. When this is done, especially in light of the two preceding verses, what becomes clear is that God was providing Israel with some specific laws designed to distinguish them from their pagan neighbors. The focus of this passage doesn’t seem to be as much on the act, but more on the motive behind someone getting a tattoo. This fact coupled with the reality that Christians are no longer under the Old Testament civil law; although, we are still bound to keep the moral law causes me to see the issue of tattoos in the light of other passages like Romans 14:22, 1 Corinthians 10:27-30 and 1 Corinthians 10:31
Although I won’t be getting a tattoo anytime soon, I’ve crafted the following list of questions for those considering a tattoo, that I ran across while doing some research on this topic. These questions were part of a self assessment quiz that Mary Fairchild put forth in her article “Tattoos and Christians – Should Christians have Tattoos” This article encouraged her readers to ask themselves the following questions before getting a tattoo. Prayerfully, these questions will help you decide whether or not getting a tattoo is a sin for you:
1. How does my heart and my conscience convict me?
2. Do I have freedom in Christ and a clear conscience before the Lord regarding the decision to get a tattoo?
3. Am I passing judgment on a brother or sister because I don't have freedom in Christ to receive a tattoo?
4. Will I still want this tattoo years from now?
5. Will my parents and family approve, and/or will my future spouse want me to have this tattoo?
6. Will I cause a weaker brother to stumble if I receive a tattoo?
7. Is my decision based on faith and will the result be glorifying to God?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. I pray that God will guide your decision-making in all things and certainly if you are considering whether or not to get a tattoo.
Pastor Christopher Brooks
