Poll: Tattoo art - Christian perspectives: Fight it? Ignore it? appreciate/embrace it?
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I think of an imaginary - but highly plausible - conversation between two Christian coworkers, Mandi and Jim:
.................................
Jim: I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of a Bible verse. You have quite a few tattoos, Mandi....
Mandi: Yes, I've got several, the ones you see on my arm and others that are covered. They were gotten several years ago, before I was converted. You know, now, as a Christian, if I had my time again, I wouldn't bother to get the tattoos. They aren't a priority any more, and I don't wish to have any more done.
Jim: So you don't think your tattoos look good any more?
Mandi: Well, they are pretty, yes, and I guess I like them in that sense, but what I would also say that my whole reason for getting them before I knew the Lord, isn't really there any more. My husband has always liked them; and our daughter has already gotten tattooed as well. But now my whole way of thinking about serving the Lord and testifying for Him has little to do with my original wish to get tattoos. I used to think they were attractive - and I suppose they are - but my big wish now is for my husband to be converted to Christ. My daughter recently professed to be a Christian - which really pleases me if it's genuine - but this has nothing to do with her tattoos, either.
Jim: Well, maybe my reason for wanting a tattoo is very different from your reasons in the past. I would like a Bible verse in order to get into conversations with people about my faith in Christ.
Mandi: Well, obviously you don't need a tattoo in order to witness; but I guess your reasoning for wanting to be tattooed was a whole lot different from mine, years back. What I would say to you, Jim, is that you're younger than me, and people's thinking can change over the years. Even if you think now that a tattoo is essential for your witness....
Jim: ....well, not essential, no....
Mandi: ...anyway, even if you now think you want a tattoo in order to witness, you may find that although years ahead you still want to witness as strongly as ever, you might have changed your thinking and reckon that the tattoo wasn't really necessary to witness after all.
Jim: I think you've had your tattoos several years; and maybe then you didn't even think about the idea of using a Bible verse tattoo to witness because at that time you weren't a Christian.
Mandi: True; I've had my tattoos many years; some of them date from when my daughter was born.
Jim: I know I'm a fair bit younger than you, Mandi, but I've read about tattoos and there are lots of very differing ideas about them; some of them old fashioned ideas. Some ppl don't like women getting them. Others see reference to tattoos in the Old Testament that is hostile to them. Others really think they can be good as conversation-starters, especially faith based designs and Bible quotes.
Mandi: Well, of course, you'll have to make up your own mind, Jim. The Bible ref. in Leviticus around cutting for the dead and so on seems to be in the context of pagan death rites and there is also a verse next to it that seems to say about not trimming beards; Jews used to wear bushy beards. That's Old Testament anyway, and we are New Testament Christians. So I don't think that passage is strong proof either against faith based tattoos now, but neither is it strong proof in favor, either. And yes, tattoos can start conversations, I suppose, about the Lord, although if this is all someone relies on for witness, I would encourage him or her to read the Bible a lot more closely and be a lot more prayerful. And us women: well, yes, today even more women get tattoos than men do, so in that sense the fact that I'm a tattooed woman isn't even remotely unusual. As Christian woman now, I just don't find tattoos significant any more; I've got other very strong priorities now, by God's grace.
Jim: So you're more old fashioned now and you don't have as much confidence to get tattooed any more compared with a lot of women now?
Mandi: Oh, no, it's not that at all; I definitely don't want to be old fashioned for the sake of being old fashioned; and yes it's true that today so many women naturally and spontaneously have the confidence to get tattooed; but I do want my confidence as Christian woman to be about following the Lord simply and lovingly; and the idea of more tattoos ....well, they just don't feature as significant to me any more.
Jim: If I do get the Bible verse tattooed, I was wondering about the best placement; yours that I can see are on your arm; do you think arm is a good placement?
Mandi: Well, maybe, I suppose, yes, but really I don't want to advise you to tattoo your arm. From start to finish, it's your responsibility; in the end you'll do what you think is best, but if I were you I wouldn't rush into it; and like I say, in a number of years' time, you may think rather differently.
Jim: Okay, thanks, Mandi; you've given me a lot to think about, anyway...
.........................................................
Imaginary, but a highly plausible conversation, imho, right?
.................................
Jim: I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of a Bible verse. You have quite a few tattoos, Mandi....
Mandi: Yes, I've got several, the ones you see on my arm and others that are covered. They were gotten several years ago, before I was converted. You know, now, as a Christian, if I had my time again, I wouldn't bother to get the tattoos. They aren't a priority any more, and I don't wish to have any more done.
Jim: So you don't think your tattoos look good any more?
Mandi: Well, they are pretty, yes, and I guess I like them in that sense, but what I would also say that my whole reason for getting them before I knew the Lord, isn't really there any more. My husband has always liked them; and our daughter has already gotten tattooed as well. But now my whole way of thinking about serving the Lord and testifying for Him has little to do with my original wish to get tattoos. I used to think they were attractive - and I suppose they are - but my big wish now is for my husband to be converted to Christ. My daughter recently professed to be a Christian - which really pleases me if it's genuine - but this has nothing to do with her tattoos, either.
Jim: Well, maybe my reason for wanting a tattoo is very different from your reasons in the past. I would like a Bible verse in order to get into conversations with people about my faith in Christ.
Mandi: Well, obviously you don't need a tattoo in order to witness; but I guess your reasoning for wanting to be tattooed was a whole lot different from mine, years back. What I would say to you, Jim, is that you're younger than me, and people's thinking can change over the years. Even if you think now that a tattoo is essential for your witness....
Jim: ....well, not essential, no....
Mandi: ...anyway, even if you now think you want a tattoo in order to witness, you may find that although years ahead you still want to witness as strongly as ever, you might have changed your thinking and reckon that the tattoo wasn't really necessary to witness after all.
Jim: I think you've had your tattoos several years; and maybe then you didn't even think about the idea of using a Bible verse tattoo to witness because at that time you weren't a Christian.
Mandi: True; I've had my tattoos many years; some of them date from when my daughter was born.
Jim: I know I'm a fair bit younger than you, Mandi, but I've read about tattoos and there are lots of very differing ideas about them; some of them old fashioned ideas. Some ppl don't like women getting them. Others see reference to tattoos in the Old Testament that is hostile to them. Others really think they can be good as conversation-starters, especially faith based designs and Bible quotes.
Mandi: Well, of course, you'll have to make up your own mind, Jim. The Bible ref. in Leviticus around cutting for the dead and so on seems to be in the context of pagan death rites and there is also a verse next to it that seems to say about not trimming beards; Jews used to wear bushy beards. That's Old Testament anyway, and we are New Testament Christians. So I don't think that passage is strong proof either against faith based tattoos now, but neither is it strong proof in favor, either. And yes, tattoos can start conversations, I suppose, about the Lord, although if this is all someone relies on for witness, I would encourage him or her to read the Bible a lot more closely and be a lot more prayerful. And us women: well, yes, today even more women get tattoos than men do, so in that sense the fact that I'm a tattooed woman isn't even remotely unusual. As Christian woman now, I just don't find tattoos significant any more; I've got other very strong priorities now, by God's grace.
Jim: So you're more old fashioned now and you don't have as much confidence to get tattooed any more compared with a lot of women now?
Mandi: Oh, no, it's not that at all; I definitely don't want to be old fashioned for the sake of being old fashioned; and yes it's true that today so many women naturally and spontaneously have the confidence to get tattooed; but I do want my confidence as Christian woman to be about following the Lord simply and lovingly; and the idea of more tattoos ....well, they just don't feature as significant to me any more.
Jim: If I do get the Bible verse tattooed, I was wondering about the best placement; yours that I can see are on your arm; do you think arm is a good placement?
Mandi: Well, maybe, I suppose, yes, but really I don't want to advise you to tattoo your arm. From start to finish, it's your responsibility; in the end you'll do what you think is best, but if I were you I wouldn't rush into it; and like I say, in a number of years' time, you may think rather differently.
Jim: Okay, thanks, Mandi; you've given me a lot to think about, anyway...
.........................................................
Imaginary, but a highly plausible conversation, imho, right?
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@FluffyYellowDuck On the other thread you mentioned skin remedies. So did you find that your ink gave you any significant skin issues? or maybe it all still worked out okay?
I've used a lot of lotions and meds over the years, anyhow, but basically now doing well.
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
What does it do? Does it become raised? When I have a fever, it gets itchy and becomes sort of raised. The body sees it as an injury and tries to heal it.
Normally, just an antihistamine should take care of it. Something makes me think manuka honey would do the trick.
@FluffyYellowDuck In my case, more of a genetic, hereditary rash, etc. (The meds now seem to work well.; not entirely sure what the meds contain.)
But you're right; the body does regard tattoos (and piercings, also; some earlobes become inflamed) as an injury; but I guess you never had a real problem there.
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
@farouk
I had to look it up because I never heard of anyone using manuka honey for a tattoo. But if it heals lacerations and works as a natural anti inflammatory, that would work.
7 Proven Benefits and Uses of Manuka Honey
I had to look it up because I never heard of anyone using manuka honey for a tattoo. But if it heals lacerations and works as a natural anti inflammatory, that would work.
7 Proven Benefits and Uses of Manuka Honey
Thanks for your linked resource, @FluffyYellowDuck ; I just checked it out; interesting...
Yes, often we think of balm as metaphorical, spiritual ("Is there balm in Gilead...", Jeremiah 8.22, etc.), but actual remedies which can act as a balm can be an interesting study and indeed important and helpful to ppl with skin issues.
Also:
Balm of Gilead - Wikipedia
Yes, in tattoo parlors, pumping in the ink and using lotions are really two aspects of the same process. I think when 18 year olds are planning it, they need to be educated as to the two aspects and not just about the design inking, right?
@FluffyYellowDuck PS: Sometimes aging causes wrinkles; 2 Chr. 34:19 said about her ink: ↑
Sometimes a balm or lotion can make wrinkles smoother again, right?
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DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
Haha! Stay out of the sun and stay hydrated, fermented and probiotic foods, eat well and good food.
Afraid not much to be done about wrinkles.. Every year, another level complete; every wrinkle, a trophy.
I haven't gotten much and I don't tan, but some gray hair, I have accomplished. My roots are showing again and I have decided I don't care.
I think it is easy to be critical of ourselves and stress over "imperfections" but most of the time, nobody else is paying attention to it.
@FluffyYellowDuck Point taken!
I see what you mean.
At the same time, I can also imagine someone like @ 2 Chr. 34:19 wanting to put lotion on her wrinkled ink.
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@FluffyYellowDuck
My wife doesn't feel properly dressed if she does not put on her face.
Similarly, I can well understand a tattooed woman feeling the need to put lotion on her visible tattoos in order to keep them smooth and reasonably fresh looking.
My wife doesn't feel properly dressed if she does not put on her face.
Similarly, I can well understand a tattooed woman feeling the need to put lotion on her visible tattoos in order to keep them smooth and reasonably fresh looking.
Why not a flesh colored lotion to bring her back closer to what God provided her with from the start...?
"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good..." Gen 1:31
@amadeus A lot of brides and bridesmaids do before the big day come to decision whether or not they will have their tattoos showing or have them covered with sleeves or in flesh-covered make up. Seeing as shoulders and arms are a significant thing when it comes to bridalwear...
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Are they virgins? When our only daughter asked her mother, my wife, an excellent seamstress, who had made many dresses, to make her a white dress for her wedding, her mother told her, no, and explained why.
Our beautiful little girl had defiled herself. She knew how important it was to us. It was her choice as she was of age, but should we have given her our stamp of approval by confirming a purity which she did not have? That is what the white dress symbolizes. My wife would have made her a dress, but not a white one!
What about pursuing Restoration to what Adam and Eve had in the Garden of Eden...?
Or what about pursuing Restoration of the Church to what it was 2,000 years ago when the first apostles and Paul were preaching/teaching the Truth without a written NT to follow?
Or what about simply pursuing what God wants from us by asking what He believes that we ought to be?
What does faith in God know? Where are our steps toward Him to be found?
Men were made in the image of God, but after they had disobeyed Him that first time they found ways to change what God created "very good" into what?
Do we really believe that pursuing our own ways to "improve" our image will make us look more like Him... make us back into what Adam and Eve were before their disobedience? Do we also see our own faces as through a glass darkly?
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
Hi @TEXBOW I noted your point in the other thread about appreciating Ephesians:
Matching Tattoos
Tattoodo
Matching Tattoos
Tattoodo
@amadeus Well, obviously I have not asked them...
If your daughter had been a believer, cleansed by the blood of Christ (assuming she was not), do you think your wife would have made her the dress that she wanted?
My wife and I both came from devilish backgrounds. God drew us to Him when both of our children were toddlers. They both received the baptism of the Holy Ghost in church as young teenagers. They grew up with us in church and were home schooled in biblical principles with my wife and I as her teachers using Christian outlines and texts.
If she had been ignorant in what she did, my wife would have gladly obliged her and made the dress. She was not ignorant.
But that is history. For years our daughter was very selfish treating her mother especially like the devil, but me too. A few years ago began a turn around on her part. Give God the glory.
