Reformed. Christianity. Evangelism. Modern Culture.
You would think as Easter approaches people would spend more time reading their bibles and focusing on Christ’s death for sinners. No, some pastors are into more hip and trendy (actually goofy) ideas…
In a hip, artsy, area of Houston, a hip, artsy pastor is taking an unorthodox approach to Lent.
Standing in front of his congregation at Ecclesia Church, a congregation he admits is different – more diverse, more urban – than many evangelical churches – Chris Seay encouraged them to do so something he said combines the ideas of sacrifice and devotion that mark the Lenten season, the 40-day lead up to Easter.
He asked them to get tattoos. Specifically, he asked congregants to get a tattoo corresponding with one of the Stations of the Cross, the collection of images that depict scenes in Jesus’ journey to his crucifixion.
“The tendency we have as Christians is to skip past Jesus’ suffering,” Seay said in an interview. “Not only do tattoos come with a bit of suffering, they are also an art form that has not fully been embraced.”
To help with the project, Seay enlisted Scott Erickson, artist-in-residence at his church. Erickson designed 10 distinct Stations of the Cross tattoos, leaving out four stations that Seay said changed in context when you are asking someone to get something permanently drawn on their body.
Of course tattooes are not a sin but getting a silly reason for a permanent tattoo (like suffering for Jesus) can be highly regrettable. Umm, goofy!
Why don’t pastors just stick to preaching Christ and Him crucified? Paul said:
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.1 Cor 2:1-5
Enough of these gimmicks!
A Twisted Crown of Thorns ® 
“Why don’t pastors just stick to preaching Christ and Him crucified?”
AMEN!
Agreed that this appears to be a gimmick. The idea of asking a congregation to permanently Mark themselves during lent is not something that as a pastor myself,i would ever consider doing! Although… The concept of suffering and our lack of grasp on the suffering of Christ do present us with some interesting and challenging theological questions. Food for thought!
Jesus said if I be lifted up I will Draw ALL men unto me, God strictly forbids Tatoos in Leviticus and he made no exception to anything when he said DO NOT. The Bible says you will believe a lie and be Damned, It warns about False Prophets. this is a good example of those warnings.
Tattoos are a sin as outlined in the Torah.
Iam not going to go into areas of Christian liberty. But no where in the New Testament do we see tattoos being banned or categorized as sinful. In fact we see in the book of Revelations Jesus is depcted with an inscription on his thigh: On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev 19:16
OT forbade several things and more sepecially their associations with pagan worship. However if your tattoo causes others to stumble then it could be a sin; or if your conscience doesnt allow you to have one then it can be a sin. Do not use your christian liberty to enslave others or to cause them to sin. (Same to cigarettes etc) I for one do not condone tattoos because in our day and age they are associated with civil and social rebellion among other things.
No where in the New Testament does it say Thou Shalt not kill either, but the Bible does Teach us that God never changes and there is no place in the New Testament where it says it is ok.
Well Jesus said, if you are angry at your brother then you are guilty of murder in your heart (in reference to the sixth commandment).
Well Jesus said, if you are angry at your brother then you are guilty of murder in your heart (in reference to the sixth commandment).
Reblogged this on The Master's Slave.
Reblogged this on Sound Doctrine Ministries and commented:
While the Bible has nothing good to say about tattoos, there are certainly
indications in it that permanently marking one’s body is a bad idea for a Christian. I would not want to get one; I would not want my son or anyone I know to get one. None of us are perfect – we all make mistakes, we all have need of God’s forgiveness for our sins. There are certainly worse things that we can do, that people do all the time, that are far more serious than getting a tattoo – and far less obvious to the eye.
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
(Leviticus 19:28 KJV)
Reblogged this on Sound Doctrine Ministries and commented:
While the Bible has nothing good to say about tattoos, there are certainly indications in it that permanently marking one’s body is a bad idea for a Christian. I would not want to get one; I would not want my son or anyone I know to get one. None of us are perfect – we all make mistakes, we all have need of God’s forgiveness for our sins. There are certainly worse things that we can do, that people do all the time, that are far more serious than getting a tattoo – and far less obvious to the eye.
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.
(Leviticus 19:28 KJV)
The only people who argue about tattos being forbiden by God are those that have them.