There is that old expression that I have heard my entire life. "... Judge not, lest ye be judged." So why is it then, that some of the most judgmental people on the planet, are Christians? Time and time again, I am let down by my fellow followers of the Way. I am heavily tattooed. Arms, legs, chest and hands. Nothing that could be deemed 'offensive'. I am a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, and many of the tattoos I have are in accordance with old school maritime tradition. Still, the hate and judgement comes in waves. Maybe a reason I was running from God for so long was because of how other Christians made me feel. The look of scorn and disdain. Disapproval greeted me at every church I walked into. The eyes glaring in contempt for the ink that is in my skin. I even had an old Catholic lady in a grocery store tell me "I was going to burn in Hell for destroying God's temple..." "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:28 The 'Go To' Bible verse for anti-tattoo advocates of Christian persuasion. So I did some homework. The section, "cuttings in your flesh..." is in reference to a barbaric ritual that existed back then. It was a type of 'sacrifice of flesh' to appease the Gods. A ritual still practiced today by many Muslims during the Day of Ashura. Now, the 'tattoo' portion of the verse is a tricky thing. From Aramaic to Greek, Greek to German/English etc... Not all words translate completely. The closest I could find was 'marks' or 'markings' that are the closest in translation from the original Aramaic in reference to scarring the body to remember the dead. So, it is reasonable that scholars could have made an assumption that this just meant 'tattoos'. A conversation thread I found on Biblical Hermeneutics made an interesting observation. "The command is clear in this passage to not pierce one's body for the dead. The slaves were to be pierced by their master upon choosing to stay with them rather than going free; therefore, it seems clear that the command does not forbid all piercing, but only piercing for the dead. In regard to tattooing, however, the English does not connect the command not to tattoo with "for the dead in any way. I read the other post pertaining to this passage and though it is insightful, it does not pertain to my question, that being: Grammatically, is there a connection in the Hebrew between the command forbidding to tattoo and 'for the dead?'" It's just a thought. An opinion. For isn't the Bible interpreted differently by each individual person that reads it? What I like to call "Idiopathic Christianity". Meaning each Christians walk with God is different and pertains to them specifically. No one else. What I think is important, is that I AM a Christian and walking with God. I AM a good Father and Husband. I AM a good neighbor to my Brothers and Sisters. Isn't that the important thing? I used to stress about things like the entirety of this blog. Until I had the revelation of "Idiopathic Christianity". Then I was at peace. It doesn't matter what other Christians or non-Christians think. It matters what God thinks, and how I live my life walking with Him. I will Love my Wife, Protect and teach my Son, be a good neighbor to my Brothers and Sisters. I will enjoy life, Praise the Lord; Dance and give Joy unto him. The next day I will do it all over again. The Judgments of others no longer hold sway on me. While your contemplating the opinions I have put forth so far dwell on this: In Revelation 19:16 "And He has on His robe and His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." The Aramaic translation for the words written and on Jesus' robe and thigh is 'writers ink'. This Video is from one of my favorite bands, and is very much how I view my life, especially since I am back on the path.
2 Comments
Matlene stein
10/14/2016 11:25:10 am
Spike i agree, ech Christian walk with God in his/her own way. I, too, am Christian and see nothing wrong with tattoos. As a matter of fact i bought John his.
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Nate Kenworthy
2/22/2017 02:01:14 pm
It's important to remember also that with Christs death/resurrection, there was a new covenant, rendering all the laws and traditions of Leviticus inert.
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AuthorSpike Bowan is the Pittsburgh, PA born Writer and Fiction Author. He is a Veteran of the US Navy, retired Paramedic, Husband, Father and Christian. BECOME A PATRON. CLICK BELOW!
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