Question:
What is a proper, biblically based view on getting tattoos? I know that many people use Leviticus 19:28 as a biblical foundation against getting tattoos, but in context these rules seem to be God’s directives to keep Israel from practicing the pagan religion & rituals of neighbouring cultures.
Another verse commonly used, is, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 which says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” I believe this verse makes a strong call for Christians to think about what and why they want to get something tattooed on their body. However, I don’t think that all tattoos (regardless of content) bring dishonor to God with our bodies.
With this in mind, how should Christians view getting tattoos? What biblical foundation (if any) is there that should prevent Christians from getting tattoos? Is getting a tattoo a sin?
Answer:
Charles Darwin noted in his book, “The Descent of Man” that, “Not one great country can be named, from the Polar regions in the north to New Zealand in the south, in which the aborigines do not tattoo themselves.” It was the great age of Christian missions that almost erased this primitive practice. Some tattooing promoters view the work of missionaries and Christian conversions as a “destructive Western influence” which was responsible for a worldwide decline in tattooing during the 19th century. For most of the 20th century, tattoos were a statement of non-conformity, embraced by mainly criminals, prostitutes or wayfaring sailors. In our day, as the influence of Christianity has declined, tattooing has again gained mainstream popularity. Psychologist and tattoo advocate Michael Mantell writes that, “Tattoos are a mark of the 21st century,” and that these tattoos send a strong message, writing that “…tattoo-lovers are a proud lot- they have consciously taken the decision to tattoo their bodies and would like to proudly declare that they are what they are.”
Charles Darwin did, however, forget about one unique group that did not practice tattooing: the ancient Hebrews. “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28). For thousands of years, believers knew that they were to avoid practices such as tattooing.
In recent decades, however, many question the applicability of this verse to New Testament Christians. It is surrounded by verses that would bind Christians to the orthodox Jewish practice of growing long beards and sideburns (19:27) and prohibit clothing that blends different materials (19:19). If a Christian cannot get a tattoo, they reason, than we must change many other things in our lifestyle as well and visibly become like orthodox Jews.
A stronger approach to the Bible, however, will not ignore the principle behind these verses in God’s law. These were important verses which taught the Hebrews how to live as a separate people in their own time and place. Each example in Leviticus is an outworking of the principles of the ten commandments. The reason for non-conformity is simple, “I am the LORD” (Lev. 19:28). We also, as Christians, serve the same Lord, and are called to be a holy people for Him (1 Peter 1:16). We, like the Hebrews, should avoid practices that visibly alter our appearance for the sake of conformity to the world or pride.
Many New Testament verses teach this same principle, applying it at times even to our literal, physical bodies, “…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). James 1:27 is even more striking, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Those that embrace tattooing, however, will claim that this is too literal of a reading of Romans and James. The practice itself, they claim, is an art form that is no longer associated with paganism, but can even be redeemed and used for God’s glory. Yet we cannot accept this logic: if the association with paganism is no longer there, why are tattoo parlors still to this day invariably filled with symbols of violence, death, and the occult? Why does the world itself see tattooing as an act of individualistic pride? What lies beneath the universal pagan desire to injure, modify, and scar?
The medical and psychological concerns surrounding tattooing cannot be overlooked. Many people do not realize that the immune system actually treats a tattoo as an infection. The reason that tattoos fade is that the body is constantly working to reject it, and will do so for the rest of their lives. Studies have shown that many people experience medical complications that can lead to life threatening conditions. The Food and Drug Administration in the US has found that the use of unapproved inks and poor sanitary practices is still a widespread problem and their website lists a number of issues of concern and associated risks which discourage the practice of tattooing. Researchers have observed links between tattooing and extreme body piercing with higher incidences of clinical depression.
Such concerns, along with the significant pain that the process causes, ought to make us think more deeply about tattooing. Is it not a practice rooted in a misguided, abusive, and sinful desire to break what God has created? When we understand the history and the reality of tattooing, the practice has striking parallels to the fall. It is at the fall that we see mankind’s desire to be like gods. When Adam and Eve fell into sin, their first reaction was a shame-filled feeling of nakedness. Why would a Christian desire that tattoos would cover the skin their Creator has made? Is there not a much greater covering available, that which is provided by the “…Lamb without blemish and without spot” of 1 Peter 1:19?
“We, like the Hebrews, should avoid practices that visibly alter our appearance for the sake of conformity to the world or pride.”
Based on that statement, what is your stance on haircuts, shaving, ear piercing, hair dye, nail polish and jewelry?
Even the clothes that we wear are generally “conforming to the world.”
All of the practises that we as Christians use to visibly alter our appearance are for the sake of conforming to the world or “social norms”. Based on your response, it seems like dragging a comb through you hair in order to look your best is an act of pride and should be avoided.
Any practice that is done for the SAKE of conformity to the world or pride should be avoided. Romans 12:2- “…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The basic motive to be clothed ought to be a reflection of God’s work (Genesis 3:21) and conformed to His will. God’s will includes a modest approach to appearance. (1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:3) The clothes we wear, on a fundamental level, are NOT at all about conforming to the world, they are about reflecting His gracious action of covering nakedness and exercising our God-given abilities to design, select, buy, and/or create things to His glory.
As for your list, we should avoid practices or particular styles that are intentionally provocative, communicate rebellion, etc. To some degree, that will change in various cultures, so my answer would be, my stance would likely change to a degree depending on discerning your motives, what country you live in, what church you attend, etc. I would also point any person who is fixated on matters of appearance to be first focused on inward adornment and fruits that glorify God as the apostles did.
That does not mean, however, that we logically need to dress in a way that is visibly different, or bland, for the sake of being recognizable as “Christian.” We need not avoid all presentations of beauty. For example, a bride making herself appropriately beautiful for her husband is not sinful. (Revelation 21:2) But Christian beauty IS to be modest beauty. The modesty verses above mean this is in some cultures a subtle difference that avoids practices that are attention-seeking in a culture. Some degree of buying clothing/having hairstyles that are “normal” in our culture would be an expression of modesty. In some cultures, where the shame of nakedness is not understood, or gender lines are being intentionally blurred, a Christian will become visibly recognizable.
Dragging a comb through your hair AS an act of pride SHOULD be avoided. Dragging a comb through your hair to look presentable and orderly in preparation for a day lived to God’s glory is actually an act that honours Him.
While I agree with your statement that “[the verses in Leviticus 19] were important verses which taught the Hebrews how to live as a separate people in their own time and place”, I do not believe that (when viewed within the verses historical context) we can conclude that getting a tattoo in 2019 has the same ‘conformity to the world’ issues that ancient Israel would have faced.
The pagan nations that surrounded Israel were known to use tattoos and cuttings in the flesh as a ritual for mourning the dead. Canaanite nations were known to mutilate the bodies of their dead and fill the incision with black lead (a primitive version of a tattoo) in order to give the dead good fortune in the afterlife. One commentary summarizes this practice by stating that “It was the custom of the Gentiles in ancient times, to imprint upon themselves the mark of an idol, to show that they were his servants” (John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible) .
However, getting a tattoo in the 21st century does not have the same religious implications as it did during the time of the Exodus. By this, I mean that getting a tattoo is no longer a religous mark of service to idol gods (nor is it used to bring the dead good fortune in the afterlife).
With this in mind, I do not think our approach to this question should be as cut and dry as ‘don’t get a tattoo’. Instead, I think we should encourage people to carefully examine their motives behind getting a tattoo before they commit to a permanent work of art.
I agree wholeheartedly. Wouldn’t the same rules also apply to piercings?
Piercing was not prohibited in the Bible, but it was a symbol of ownership and loyalty, often in a negative sense, but also at times positive. In Genesis 35, when Jacob’s family throws away their idols, they also dispose of their earrings. (Genesis 35:2) After the Exodus, earrings are donated for the making of the golden calf, (Ex. 32) and later the tabernacle. (Ex. 35) In Exodus 21:6 a piercing is a symbol of a slave becoming a permanent possession of his master. In Ezekiel 16:9 the Lord pictures His care for and blessings for His people to giving His bride a nose ring and earrings. It seems from the Ezekiel 16 passage especially that earrings may be a legitimate symbol of belonging and beauty.
I do not believe that ear and/or nose piercings are strictly prohibited by scripture, but there are several things to pause and think about:
First, 1 Peter 3:3–4 calls for a focus on inward adornment over outward. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
Second, for many people in our culture, any body modification is an intentional statement of SELF ownership. They do these things to visibly declare: “this is my body, and I can do with it as I please.” 2 Timothy 3:1–2 warns us, “know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves…” Christians ought to be careful when they they think about getting a piercing, examining their motives, and being certain that they are not making a declaration of self-ownership, attention seeking, or self-pleasing. They ought to consider what the piercing will communicate to their community, and especially to their church community.
Third, in the case of more extreme piercings, there is a relationship to a desire to self-harm and an evidence of slavery to Satan. This is a complex area, motives may relate to a “cry for help,” or have a relationship to emotional pain, or abuse, or relate to other spiritual and/or psychological problems. Those that are engaging in self harm need the gospel, to understand the complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God that is found in the sacrifice and completed work of Christ.