I haven't seen anything against tattoos in Scriptures that would concern a Christian today. Nothing in NT, as of yet.
I've never had a tattoo, but I have considered getting a few before. Usually if they meant something important, such as my rebirth as a Christian, or something pertaining to my purpose as a follower of Christ. Witnessing and displaying my religion can be very difficult for me at times, especially since I work at a job where most everyone openly mocks Christ if given the chance. Making the decision to openly display my faith at all times would help my fear, I think. Perhaps taking my nervousness and turning it around, using tattoos to tell others about my Christ without having to use my words (I'm not great with words) can help me gain the courage to witness better. Sure, it might stereotype me to others (oh, look. Another Christian. Well, we know what to expect there) but who cares? My actions will show them that we can't be predicted so quickly.
I think I might also use tattoos to commemorate people who made a huge impact on me throughout my life, whether they're dead or not. As an artist, visual representation of something is part of my core as a person, and to remember someone so permanently represents for me the eternal nature of such people's interactions with me, the changes in me that they created.
Christ is my life, my Saviour. Whatever I did before Him that defied Him should be repented of. But as I mentioned before, tattoos can be used as something of a witness. If I had a tattoo that defied Christ or represented something ugly, I think my approach would be one of two things. For anything that might offend my brethren to a great degree, I might remove it for their sake. For anything less than that, I would perhaps add a further, better tattoo around it, to demonstrate how I've changed and how the first mark is now moot, defeated. As I said, like a witness to how I've changed. I did agree with Ligurian; what you were before Christ doesn't always need to be covered up. Perhaps it would be better to use it.
And I agree with Herbivore Wolf.
But when I was superstitious, I thought art was idolotry.
Idolotry defined by God
Esaias 44:14 He cuts wood out of the forest, which the Lord planted, even a pine tree, and the rain made it grow, 15 that it might be for men to burn: and having taken part of it he warms himself; yea, they burn part of it, and bake loaves thereon; and of the rest they make for themselves gods, and they worship them. 16 Half thereof he burns in the fire, and with half of it he bakes loaves on the coals; and having roasted flesh on it he eats, and is satisfied, and having warmed himself he says, I am comfortable, for I have warmed myself, and have seen the fire. 17 And the rest
he makes a graven god, and worships, and prays, saying, Deliver me; for thou art my God.
Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest
that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit inappropriate contenteia, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
(
inappropriate contenteia = harlotry, fornication, spiritual adultery,
idolotry)
Esaias 21:9 and, behold, he comes riding in a chariot and pair: and he answered and said,
Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all her images and her idols have been crushed to the ground.
Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not
worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: ... (Jeremiah 10:3-5)
Esaias 2:18-19 And they shall hide all
idols made with hands, 19 having carried them
into the caves, and into the clefts of the rocks, and into the caverns of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and by reason of the glory of His might, when He shall arise to strike terribly the earth.
Revelation 6:15-17 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man,
hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
