Redeemer Lutheran Church

Tattoos

 

The Word of God does say,

 

“You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves” (Leviticus 19:28).

 

It should be kept in mind that the prohibition here belongs to Old Testament Levitical or ceremonial law, which has been set aside or annulled with the coming of Christ (Colossians 2:16-17; Acts 15). Leviticus is full of such laws, including the command one verse earlier: “You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard” (Leviticus 19:27).

 

For Christians, matters such as this lie in the area of Christian freedom and wise judgment (such as, for example, taking into account health concerns, the perceptions and sensitivities of others, and the counsel of Christian parents and advisors).