Ok, let's go there. Paul says he became like many to save some. Would a tattooed non-Christain talk to a tattooed Christian more readily? I guess Jesus and the Disciples wore robes. If I wore something like that on the street today people would rightly wonder if I was a homo. So, isn't that Jesus conforming to the culture of the time in order to reach people? If Jesus were here today, don't you think he might wear blue jeans instead of a robe?
Beards
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Doesn't that mean women should not shave any of their body hair? Because it grows naturally...
Well I think so, but some seem to be indicating that they think we are still under law. A funny thing about this subject-as a kid the churches I went to strongly discouraged beards. I can remember the preacher preaching against beards because they carried a "hippie" connotation, and we would not want people associating us with hippie culture. It's interesting what some Christians adopt as personal convictions. I remember one man (much later at a Bible study) who said he did not feel right going to town in Jeans or messy because he represented Christ to people. Honestly, such a thought would never have crossed my mind, but if that's his conviction, who am I to say different? I don't think that I would feel right getting a tatoo myself. I understand that some of that is my upbringing and I try not to let it affect how I view people with tattoos, but I do think some go way overboard. They only look ok until you get old anyway, then they get kinda weird.
Why are you asking me? I made no judgement one way or the other. I follow the Lord as best I can where He leads me. The only person presently concerned always with where I might lead would be my wife. I have only one wife.
Not every person is to be the same part of the Body of Christ nor is each person at precisely the same place on the highway of holiness. God has an answer for each one of His sheep. His sheep should be listening closely to Him.
BreadOfLife
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Just to play "Devil's Advocate" here . . . .
First off - I agree with you about tattoos. Their origins are pagan and we should not emulate paganism.
However - if they ARE in fact "forbidden" by Scripture because of their pagan origins - then why do so many Christians get cremated? Cremation was largely a pagan practice. Jews buried their dead - and the only exception I can think of is Saul and his sons (1 Samuel 31:11-13).
Also - wedding rings find their origins in paganism.
Are certain things truly forbidden by Scripture beyond the Law of Moses - or are they just a "bad idea"?
Maybe it all comes down to intent.
I dunno - just thinking out loud . . .
That does not give you the liberty -- as you assume -- to follow the ways of the world. That is called Antinomianism.
"...No, we are not under the Old Testament Law. Yes, we are under the law of Christ. The law of Christ is not an extensive list of legal codes. It is a law of love. If we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we will do nothing to displease Him. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, we will do nothing to harm them. Obeying the law of Christ is not a requirement to earn or maintain salvation. The law of Christ is what God expects of a Christian..."
quoted from Got Questions.
Correct. Christians should NOT be cremated and there should be proper teaching on this subject in the churches (which is generally missing).
As to wedding rings, they are harmless, and indeed beneficial in many ways.
quietthinker
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Comparing beards and tattoos is akin to comparing chalk and cheese. Defacing the body is forbidden in scripture. Defacing the body is a standard practice for cultures that know not the God of Redemption. Promoting defacement of any kind indicates the influence of the demonic.
Israel was instructed to keep the practices of surrounding nations at distance....tattooing included. They were to be a peculiar people.....people who stood head and shoulders above those steeped in degrading practices....they were to be representatives of the King of Glory. Their failure is mirrored in the ready and willing attitude of todays Churches to kow tow to unsanctified practices, its promotion and justification evidence of openly defying God on this matter.
Israel was instructed to keep the practices of surrounding nations at distance....tattooing included. They were to be a peculiar people.....people who stood head and shoulders above those steeped in degrading practices....they were to be representatives of the King of Glory. Their failure is mirrored in the ready and willing attitude of todays Churches to kow tow to unsanctified practices, its promotion and justification evidence of openly defying God on this matter.
Women in many countries do not shave their legs or underarms. I saw it when I was visiting Italy when I was 12 years old. Was funny to me as, I'd never seen it. We were staying in a poorer village outside of Rome. I suppose women in the more cultured areas could have shaved?
I think we can create a new meaning for things by doing it with the right spirit of truth and holiness.
For most today the wedding ring symbolizes a Covenant relationship between a man and woman.
What was meant for evil has been turned for good.
There are many sinners who get born again who already have acquired tattoos. So they can't undo it so easily.
I attended a church where the pastor was an ex marine and he had tattoos and after he got saved he got called into the ministry. He still has the tattoos but in church no one could see them.
The verse I gave (Col 2:20-22) states the opposite. We have that freedom in Christ from the ceremonial regulations of the OT.
And what do you think Spurgeon would say about tattoo?
SPURGEON PARAPHRASED: TATTOOS ARE TABOO!
And there's your answer. He knows that as a converted Christian, they are not be be displayed. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God (1 Cor 10:32)
Indeed! When I was in Europe for my study year [1969-1970] unshaven legs and armpits among women was still quite common. The women who did shave had mostly learned these "new" ways from Americans, the numerous tourists in particular... Bad or good? I have my biased preference, but what should matter for someone serving God is the conviction in his/her heart. What does God want from you?
Well, it has become quite the "norm" for western women and, when we see a women who does not shave...it can kind of make one go ew? Conditioning. I'd like to know who came up with all that leg and pit shaving anyhow...has become a very lucrative business. Had to be a guy, lol...I would think they would like the smoothness ha. But with all that said, I think it is just fine for a woman to NOT shave. :)
BreadOfLife
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I don't want to hijack this thread - but you brought up an interesting point (in RED).
I have debated MANY people about practices that were formerly pagan in origin - but were "absorbed" by the Church and made into Christian practices - such as some of the practices surrounding Halloween or Christmas. The result is that nobody remembers the pagan reason for the practice, as it has now been co opted for Christianity, which is a good thing.
However, I always get the same argument - it is "evil" and the Church is "evil" for co opting these practices.
I agree with your assessment in RED - and it's refreshing to see this opinion from a non-Catholic.
I was told by a German, when I was in in Germany, that when he was young, only prostitutes shaved their legs and armpits. When I lived there in the mid-80's, it was 50/50.
Yet, look back at the 40's and 50's, where what was the ideal "clean-cut Christian man" had dark suit, tie, white shirt, clean shaven and a short haircut. The Mormons demand their missionaries dress and appear as the "perfect image" of a holy Christian. In the Old Testament is was a shame for a man to have a short haircut and a trimmed or shaven beard. Such a "clean-cut man" would never be seen as a "holy man."
Cultures change. Some rigid denominations that exist today has women with their uncut hair in a bun, no makeup, and no jewelry, and long loose dresses. They are stuck in time, when such a look was the "standard" for "holy Christian women. " These denominations believe that when people look at you, they will say, "There's a Christian!" They are fooling themselves in that most people I know look at them as a contest to see who can be the "homeliest for the Lord!"
Remember when almost every preacher wore a "collar"? Do you know where the tradition came from?
At one time collars were the cat's meow! It was the style of the day! But, when they fell out of favor and styles changed, not everybody was wealthy enough to get an upgrade to stay current! Preachers were notoriously underpaid and under supported. When they fell so far behind everyone else, people would point to them and say, "Look, a preacher"! The style eventually became a "style" to identify themselves as "Clergy."
I see dress as a means of modesty, and to make one self attractive and normal to society. I no longer wear bell-bottoms and psychedelic silk shirts and I no longer have long hair.
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