tattooing should be done w/ some respect to young Christians
I have tattoos, as do the rest of the pastoral staff at my church. I have a tat of the Holy Spirit on my right arm and the Trinity shield on my left calve (which I get asked about all the time because it’s in Latin and I get to tell them my belief in the Trinity - pretty big deal when you live in Utah). I think the idea of much of the Levitical law was to separate the nation of Israel from other nations and for health reasons as it was being established. I think tatttoos can be a good way to share your faith or illustrate your faith. I’m in the works of designing a 1/2 sleeve that will have Jesus carrying the cross, and on the cross beam it will have my last name engraved in the wood to symbolize that Jesus took up MY cross and paid for MY sin, and underneath the reference John 15:13.
I do think that tattooing should be done w/ some respect to young Christians (spiritually, not necessarily age). But tattoos have become so taboo for Christians that most tattooed people think it’s pretty cool when they see a pastor or any Christian w/ some ink. It really starts to break down walls and you now have a commonality and they can see grace in the whole thing instead of just law.
All that to say, think about what you’re going to get for a long time. w4n has regrets of his and I do know that many do. I would also highly suggest waiting until you’re in your latter 20s to get a tat. If I would’ve gotten any at 18, I know I would be regretting them now too.
I think above all the important thing to remember is that God is interested in the HEART, not the external.
I’m sure I’ll get some heat for this, but oh well.
