The Burr in the Burgh

For what purpose? I know we're not under the Law, and a Christian can still be an effective witness with a tattoo, but how do you deal with Leviticus 19:28?

Hi, well first, I'm not really serious. I'm not planning to get a tattoo. I was being tongue-in-cheek. It's just that it is so common now.

I know there is no way to tell from my post whether I was being serious or not. I just thought I'd throw that out there and see what responses I got.

As for the Lev. passage, I would only be bound to that if I were also bound to circumcision and every other Jewish code. My understanding is that in the ancient world, tattooing usually had religious connotations. It meant you were marked for this god or that god.

It's a good question and would be worthy of discussion. What about all this tattooing going on today?

Hey, Scott, I've wanted one too for a while now . . .

But I'm middle-aged and it would probably sag :) Still . . .

Isn't getting a tattoo sort of like putting graffiti on the Lords temple?

I suspected you were joking but didn't know for sure. Besides, a mid-life crisis can only be fixed with a motorcycle, not a tattoo!

I don't think I'm the type of person on whom a tattoo would look good. The chances that I would ever take the plunge are slim, though the thought has crossed my mind.

However, I do consider getting one within the realm of Christian liberty. I have seen some tattoos that I have thought were beautiful as artwork. And I can sort of see the appeal in that.

As far as I can see, it is not forbidden by God's Word and so I wouldn't want to make a law about it.

On the other hand, the whole body-modification thing troubles me. Cosmetic surgery, tattoos, piercings, scarification, etc. Questions of vanity come into play. And the extremes to which some people go is alarming.

Personally, I could see getting a tattoo as a way to mark some major life accomplishment. If I published a novel or completed a Ph.D.

Hey Rob,

Great to hear from you! If you ever come up with a design you like, I'd love to see it. And I'll do likewise.

Scott,

I have thought that the court insignia of the Lutherans was "cool".

It is a cross with the letters V D M A in the quadrants. (Verbum Dei Manet Aeternum)

You can see it in the new BOC. It is one of the first illustrations.

:)

Rob (who can't quite get myself to do it)

A henna tat is as far as I have been able to go. There are some nice henna artists at Renaisance fairs. And it is usually gone in 2 weeks. About the time you regret your "bold and beautiful and out there" decision, it is on its way to being gone.

It takes the crisis out of mid-life. And it is cheaper than a motorcycle.

Pastor,

I figured that you had the tongue firmly in the cheek but in case you reconsider this seriously my vote is that if a Pastor or priest for that matter actually got a tattoo regardless of what it was or what it said, they would be perceived as trying to be "hip" for todays culture. I know you well enough to know that being "hip" for the sake of being "hip" or in tune with the fads of today ain't your M.O. Save your skin and write that novel or better yet study for a PhD.

Dave! Good to hear from you from across the globe. Watch out for any sneezing birds. This Avian flu thing is headed your way. And ours, I suspect.