Christians are still trying to find a common ground on the propriety of getting tattoos, and Arizona-based Trinity Church Pastor Mark Driscoll is trying to weigh in.
In a video newsletter posted on his website, Driscoll says neither he nor his wife and children have any tattoos, but that does not mean that he is against them.
However, Driscoll acknowledges that there is a specific Bible verse that objects to Christians getting inked. Leviticus 19:28 says, "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord."
Driscoll explains that in the Old Testament, some Christians took part in the ancient pagan practice of marking and cutting their bodies in order to be affiliated with "the realm of the dead."
Driscoll clarifies that the Scripture is not referring to "just any old marking of the body," since the thing God does not want Christians doing is branding themselves as if they belong to a pagan god. To do so would be demonic in nature, says Driscoll.
At the same time, Driscoll says many of the laws of the Old Testament have already been fulfilled by Jesus Christ, so they are no longer applicable. "That means we're no longer under the law, we're under grace and the rule of Jesus," he says.
"I'm not saying that we don't obey the Bible, and I'm not saying that it doesn't matter. I'm saying that when it's fulfilled by Jesus, we're no longer under and obligated to it," he clarifies.
Driscoll wants Christians contemplating on getting a tattoo to reflect on their purpose behind it, and consider whether or not getting one will honour God. If the tattoo is not vulgar or will not communicate anything negatively against Christianity, Driscoll said he does not see anything wrong with it.
"If you love Jesus, and you're of age, and your conscience is clear and you want to do it as an artistic expression — or maybe even to share your faith with a verse — I would say then it's between you and the Lord Jesus and I would give it to conscience, and I don't think there's anything in Scripture that expressly forbids it," he says.
