Paeter July 31st 2012, 12:44 am
Great Wisdom, Nathan! Thanks!
Got an e-mail question about this today and directed them here after sharing some of my thoughts. Figured I'd post it all here to add to the discussion.
Here was the question:
I was doing some research on piercings and tattoos and I was trying to find what the bible had to say about them?
And here was my response:
Great question!
If you've ever heard someone say that the Bible teaches against tattoos, chances are they heard that from somebody who heard that from somebody (repeat 100x)...who read Leviticus 19:28-
"You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord."
You can dig up a similar verse for earrings, though it escapes me right now.
Of course this law was directed to a specific people group at a specific time in history, and God himself acknowledged that the law given during this time period was less than ideal and would be replaced by a superior law.
Jeremiah 31:31-34- "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
These laws were not meant to be lasting and binding for all people and for all time. Even the Hebrews that these laws were given to are meant to live free of them today.
Galatians 3:23-24- Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Romans 10:4- For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Instead of all the dietary and customary regulations followed in the Old Testament (or the Tanakh as modern Jews refer to it), we are given incredible freedom today because of Christ's death on our behalf. Now we have these words to live by:
1 Corinthians 10:31- So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
So the question remaining would be, "can I serve and glorify God through getting a tattoo or piercing?"
If you believe that a piercing or tattoo will in any way hinder your ability to serve God, I think the answer is no.
For some, who believe they will not be hindered in serving God, that answer will be yes. The choice is yours to pray through and search out clarity on.
Hopefully that's helpful. If I can add any more clarity or help in any other way, please let me know.
Thanks!
-Paeter