Inked

Is it a sin to get a tattoo? Should Christians get tattoos? Are tattoos wrong? What does the Bible say about tattoos?

There has been resurgence in the popularity of tattoos in the US. According to a 2006 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 36% of 18 to 25 year olds and 40% of 26 to 40 year olds have at least one tattoo.

The art and practice of tattooing dates back almost as far as recorded history. Mummies with tattoo markings have been discovered in Egypt, and Julius Caesar described the Germanic tribes of Northern Europe as being heavily tattooed. Tattooing was prominent in many ancient cultures around the world, including the Japanese, Chinese, Polynesians, New Zealanders, Persians, and Native Americans.

Tattooing must have also bee prevalent in Old Testament Palestine. Leviticus 19:28 forbids cutting the body for the dead and receiving tattoo marks. So what does this implication have for Christians today?

“Ahh” you might say, “but we are not under the law but under grace.” And you would be correct. However, it is important to investigate the reason why God forbade this practice.

All of the tattooing cultures have one common thread: paganism. Tattoos have historically been a trademark of pagan worship and ritual. One purpose of the Levitican law was to distinctly separate the appearance and persona of God’s chosen people.

As Christians, we too are called to be noticeably different from the surrounding pagan culture. Therefore, it is my opinion that Christians should not get tattoos. I am by no means implying that the heart with Mom tattooed on your bicep is an express ticket to hell. I also understand that many believers have tattoos left over from a bygone era of pre-salvation darkness. Praise God for His grace, because we all carry baggage (consequences) in the remnants of our flesh.

However, post-salvation tattoos are unwise, and do not honor God. We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices, temples of the Holy Spirit. We are God’s adopted children, a holy priesthood, a royal race, and as such we are to be markedly different from the world.

for His glory,

DJ