Can men with tattoos be saved?

[farouk]

Re. the title, Can men, etc...it's good to remember actually than in North America statistics apparently show that 59% -70% or more of tattoo parlor clients are actually women (presumably a proportion Christian women).

 

[shepherdsword]

Doesn't this just about sum it up?

2 Co 5:17-18 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

I don't advocate a christian getting a tattoo but it appears to me from the verses above that God can use tattoos we received in the past as unbelievers to reconcile others to Christ. Perhaps even those that think they are doomed and see no hope for salvation whatsoever?

 

[amadeus]

Maybe we need to start another for men with hair...

What about the men without hair?

 

[amadeus]

PS: @rockytopva In the case of true, saving faith, this would of course be sometimes permanent; and a faith based tattoo would thus be of permanent import, so to speak.

Permanent import? Hmmm it seems to me it would be limited to our allotted time here:

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." Ecc 12:7

 

[DNB]

Yes, of course one can be saved who has tattoos.
Unless, of course, the tattoos are a sign of their defiance and contempt for God's creation, and thus, reveal the nature of one's heart. And thus, it is not the tattoo that condemns, but what it signifies.

On the other hand, I have two myself and absolutely despise them. Not just because of what the images are, but also due to the principle behind my getting the tattoo in the first place, which I feel applies to everyone that has one .
I am adamantly against tattoos for anyone. I feel that they deface God's creation, and expose an entirely misguided and pretentious attitude, for the one who decides to carry them on their body. I can't think of one good reason how anyone can justify such a permanent, defiant and superficial act?
God did not design the body to be a canvas, especially of images that 99% of the time, have nothing to do with gratitude towards God.
Even if one cares to argue that either a crucifix or Jesus' name written on their arm, can only be regarded as being done in praise of God, I appeal to the adage that states; 'if you feel a need to wear it, it's because you're not living it'!

 

[farouk]

Yes, of course one can be saved who has tattoos.
Unless, of course, the tattoos are a sign of their defiance and contempt for God's creation, and thus, reveal the nature of one's heart. And thus, it is not the tattoo that condemns, but what it signifies.

On the other hand, I have two myself and absolutely despise them. Not just because of what the images are, but also due to the principle behind my getting the tattoo in the first place, which I feel applies to everyone that has one .
I am adamantly against tattoos for anyone. I feel that they deface God's creation, and expose an entirely misguided and pretentious attitude, for the one who decides to carry them on their body. I can't think of one good reason how anyone can justify such a permanent, defiant and superficial act?
God did not design the body to be a canvas, especially of images that 99% of the time, have nothing to do with gratitude towards God.
Even if one cares to argue that either a crucifix or Jesus' name written on their arm, can only be regarded as being done in praise of God, I appeal to the adage that states; 'if you feel a need to wear it, it's because you're not living it'!

@DNB: My wife and I talked to a young lady with the whole of John 3.16 tattooed on her wrist area; it was her favorite Bible verse and mine also; and I'm sure other conversations have come about because she was willing to have it done; presumably why she did it. She actually seemed modest and quite shy.

 

[DNB]

@DNB: My wife and I talked to a young lady with the whole of John 3.16 tattooed on her wrist area; it was her favorite Bible verse and mine also; and I'm sure other conversations have come about because she was willing to have it done; presumably why she did it. She actually seemed modest and quite shy.

Well farouk, if you feel that there was justification in her having tattoos, due to the conversations that it may stimulate. My first reaction is that, just the fact that she has a favorite Bible verse tends to reveal a rather naive and immature regard for the Bible. How in the world can one have a single verse that they feel encompasses the entire glory of God's Word? You could pay me a million dollars, and I still won't be able to pick one as my favorite.
And secondly, there are countless ways to stimulate conversation about God, even a necklace, T-shirt or Bible in one's hand, will suffice. For again, permanently having a single verse on your arm, implying that God's Word can be reduced to a single verse or pericope, is misguided and demeaning (to God).

In other words, all that you made the act out to be, is that it is a lesser evil than having a non-Biblical tattoo on their arm. Both are offensive, and one can promote God's Word in a less defacing manner. None of the Apostles would ever dare wear a tattoo with Jesus' name on it. That would be utterly disgraceful and abjectly offensive to Christ!

 

[farouk]

Well farouk, if you feel that there was justification in her having tattoos, due to the conversations that it may stimulate. My first reaction is that, just the fact that she has a favorite Bible verse tends to reveal a rather naive and immature regard for the Bible. How in the world can one have a single verse that they feel encompasses the entire glory of God's Word? You could pay me a million dollars, and I still won't be able to pick one as my favorite.
And secondly, there are countless ways to stimulate conversation about God, even a necklace, T-shirt or Bible in one's hand, will suffice. For again, permanently having a single verse on your arm, implying that God's Word can be reduced to a single verse or pericope, is misguided and demeaning (to God).

In other words, all that you made the act out to be, is that it is a lesser evil than having a non-Biblical tattoo on their arm. Both are offensive, and one can promote God's Word in a less defacing manner. None of the Apostles would ever dare wear a tattoo with Jesus' name on it. That would be utterly disgraceful and abjectly offensive to Christ!

FYI:.....from the Bible Belt:

Around here (Bible Belt), it is common, especially among evangelical Christians, for the girls under about 40 to have religious tattoos. More do than don't, especially when you get to the under 30 crowd. I hardly know any female at church that is under 30 that does not have a tattoo.

forums dot thewelltrainedmind dot com

 

[DNB]

FYI:.....from the Bible Belt:


forums dot thewelltrainedmind dot com

Shameful, misguided and disrespectful to Jesus & God!

 

[Dcopymope]

Will the mark of the beast be a tatoo? I worry that there is an extent where a tatoo can be a bad thing. Sins, haircuts, beard styles can all be remedied. But tatoos remain and are difficult to remove.

I think we're too concerned about the wrong thing. We will know what the mark is, because for one, it will be named after the beast, with the number being 666. For the mark to even be a factor, the guy the mark is named after has to rear his ugly head. The chicken has to come first before the egg.

 

[farouk]

Hi @rockytopva So what did you make of @Dcopymope 's reply?

So is there a Mrs. rockytopova? and if so, what does she think of your tattoos? :)

 

[aspen]

I have a Benedictine cross tattoo - my niece drew it for me. I like it, but I doubt I will get another

 

[rockytopva]

I have a Benedictine cross tattoo - my niece drew it for me. I like it, but I doubt I will get another

If I were tempted to get a tattoo it would be something like that.

 

[rockytopva]

I think we're too concerned about the wrong thing. We will know what the mark is, because for one, it will be named after the beast, with the number being 666. For the mark to even be a factor, the guy the mark is named after has to rear his ugly head. The chicken has to come first before the egg.

Saint Augustine once said that man's extremity is God's opportunity. As far as I am concerned man's extremity is God's big headache. People are getting carried away with tatoos these days.

 

[rockytopva]

Hi @rockytopva So what did you make of @Dcopymope 's reply?

So is there a Mrs. rockytopova? and if so, what does she think of your tattoos? :)

Never married. I used to ask out, in wondering why they said no the reply was that I was too strict. In looking over how many friends got divorced I am glad they said no. In the sermon below the young preacher explains there are three things young people seek...

1. Attention
2. Appreciation
3. Acceptance

This causes people to do things to fit into a group and may not be good for their true individuality...

 

[farouk]

If I were tempted to get a tattoo it would be something like that.

@rockytopva Something faith based, right?

 

[farouk]

I have a Benedictine cross tattoo - my niece drew it for me. I like it, but I doubt I will get another

@aspen: So is she still active in tattooing?

 

[rockytopva]

@rockytopva Something faith based, right?

Something like a small cross on the wrist or something.

 

[farouk]

Something like a small cross on the wrist or something.

@rockytopva Sometimes they need only be tiny.....

askideas dot com

 

[farouk]

In looking over how many friends got divorced I am glad they said no.

@rockytopva Well, good to be able to look on the positive side....

(You may yet find a spousal blessing....my wife and I waiting a long time...)