Comments on: Should Christian Artists Create Tattoos?

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:04:33 +0000

‘To the pure, all things are pure’

I hope no one else has already said that, I couldn’t read all the comments..you sound like a twit making quotes though, don’t ya?.. The thing that comes to my mind though, is that pictures of the cross are really fashionable to get tattooed. Which bugs me a bit.

By: Casey Martin

Casey Martin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:27 +0000

My body is a temple and I’m decorating. These days tattoos are mainly for expressing likes and beliefs, remembrance and reminders. Some Christian tattoos can also be looked at as a way to open up conversation or to be another tool in showing our beliefs to others. I would love to be a tattoo artist, as they are so personal and truly a way to touch someone. (no pun intended)

By: David Young

David Young — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:37:42 +0000

I ended up here after following another post by Dave Weiss. I found it interesting that the first post is from Dave. I will read the others as time allows.

I am not a tattoo artist. I have tatts that are faith based. I design the basic design and write about it. The tattoo artist takes it from there. Each aspect of every tattoo has special meaning to me, many times more than one meaning. I’ve written a lot about them and my faith journey. Each one also holds special and different meaning to the person who sees them. While they’re personal I have no problem sharing the story behind them in whatever form God says will fill the need in your life at that moment. Christ wanted us to witness for him. How easy is it to do that only when it fills our own needs and not that of Him or others. You can put your Bible down, not go to church, and can even hide behind the Bible and your faith. That’s not an option for me. You have to “stand firm” behind your faith and be “accountable” to God when you wear it on your sleeve.

Some ask how much does that cost? Would you believe it’s priceless? It has cost people jobs that opened opportunities for growth and inspiration. It has led to toys for tatts at Christmas for less fortunate families. It has led to about 30 Bibles going out the door to people who are marginalized by those who won’t associate with someone who has a tattoo. It has led to helping move into a new shop and the shop owner re-discovering his artistic abilities from a rut of being a trace artist. How much does it cost? We talk for hours about God and the Bible before any work gets done. People come and go, asking about getting crosses to cover some of their old demonic tatts. There is a price to pay but it’s not money. It’s called fair trade. The artist says his work on me is working for God.

What’s the price of a faith based tattoo? You have to be strong enough to stand firmly behind it! Are you?

Love Peace & Unity,
David Young

By: Natack

Natack — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:27:20 +0000

Do you wear makeup? Hello? If you alter your body at all then would you not consider that a sin? Please……get a grip people and accept tatt’s as a way of life and a way of expression just like you put eye liner or lip stick on in the morning.

By: techne

techne — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:10:45 +0000

had no idea this became a law versus ‘grace’ debate… i think the reference to matthew 5.17 and jesus ‘fulfilling’ the law is a bit of a misrepresentation. the word there is pleroo, which can be applied in the following ways:
- to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full
- to cause to abound
- to furnish or supply liberally
- to render full, i.e. to complete, to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim
- to consummate
- to make complete in every particular, to render perfect, to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking)
- to carry into effect, bring to realisation, realise
- of matters of duty: to perform, execute
- of sayings, promises, prophecies, to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish
- to fulfil, i.e. to cause God’s will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God’s promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment

so the sense is that jesus came to bring about an end and a completion to the law. so that means that some things must be matters of conscience (or conviction). obviously, there are sins that lead to death, and sins that do not. some things are lawful, but not helpful. yes, there can be health risks – but if a tattooist is careful, there really shouldn’t be. and yes, there’s leviticus (shall we follow every jot and tittle?) – but there is also God with our names graven into his hands…further, the passage in leviticus (Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you) is in context of numerous prohibitions addressing religious rituals of the pagans around them. and yes, they are cuttings. incisions. you are welcome to your conviction. anyway, i think it’s an interesting conversation (and even argument) but none of us need lose our salvation over it.

in any case, the question was whether it was for us – individually – as christian artists. and i think that question could refer to us having/ receiving tattoos or giving them. i think there are valid arguments (and both for and against) to be made on both sides, but there is no denying that there can be creativity involved, and that they have powerful emotional and symbolic resonance. which is, i think the appeal for me, and others. of course, i feel the same way about images (and that despite exodus 20.4/5)…

; )