Asking for serious answers.?

Question

I am a youth worker and am interviewing with our elders to come on staff. The main concern seems to be my tattoos. I got them after I became a Christian and from what I read in Leviticus It refers to marking your body for the dead. My answers when asked by teens if it's ok to get tats is that it is up to their parents and if they say no, then the answer is no.
This is my question. If tattoos are wrong then is it also wrong to
shave our heads or trim our beards
(Leviticus 21:5‘They shall not make any bald place on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
wear linen and wool blends
Leviticus 19: 19‘ Nor shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you.
Eat a steak that is medium or rare
Leviticus 19:26‘You shall not eat anything with the blood,
Eat a lobster or shrimp
Leviticus11:12Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales —that shall be an abomination to you.

Not being a jerk just seeking answers

I have a mullett too.

Thanks chuck, I'm already 40.

Answer 1

My brother is a long time youth pastor. Actually he now runs a drop in center for street youth. His two grown sons now have several tatoos, one is a scripture in hebrew. Your answer to your youth is good.
As for the elders, my advice would be to just be respectful to them. They are a different gen. and probably have seen very little of what is pop. culture today. Try to refocus their attention to the great commission, and what Christ focused on, the heart. Remember how hard a time the "church elders" of His day had with that concept? If you can get the focus off of you, and onto Christ in you, and your heart for the kids, I bet they fall in love with you! I probably would steer clear of your above logic, good as it is, and hard as it is, defer to them as we are instructed to respect our elders in the word. After they come to respect you in return, you can take them out to dinner and arque the above till the cows, or Christ, comes.

Answer 2

I agree that these laws were made for the Jews and then when Jesus came He freed us from the Law through the sacrifice and shedding of His blood. As an artist I have no problems with tattoos on the body, because our bodies are temporal and we shall have new bodies in heaven anyway. But I do believe that in everything we do is to the glory of God, so that even our tattoos should be in someway honor or glorify Him.We should not do anything in vain. I think you are correct to tell the youth that they need parental permission. As far as the elders I agree with Dogsneeze about the context of Leviticus and how it applies in today's society and times. Many of those things don't apply to us. And as far as eating unclean or clean meat it is talked about in the New Testament also, that we should eat whatever the Lord tells us to, what seems right to one person may not seem right to another person. You should pray and ask the Lord to guide your answers and heart in these matters, and He will! Bless you.

Answer 3

Personally I think you would be more trusted by the youth than others. I have been a Christian since I was a young girl and I got a tattoo at 18. I still consider myself a Christian and I don't think God has a problem with it. Our standards are different now. As long as its not blasphemas to God then who are they to judge. Tattoos aren't for thugs or bikers. Anyone should feel free to get them if they are of age and it won't compromise their beliefs. You seem like you would work well with the youth and they might come to trust you more. The point that you need to make with them is that God loves them as they are just as He loves you as you are. Maybe this church is not the right place for you. You need to make sure that is the place that God wants you. The elders should not judge you because it is not their job.

Answer 4

As a minister of the gospel, I have to say this to you. Alot of the laws in theold testament were God's way of protecting people from diseases...They did not have the USDA or government programs or even the technology such as pastuerization. In fact, they knew nothing scientific about germs, etc.....But, God did...He protected them with ceremonial washing, cooking meat thoroughly, stay away from some animals because they have high incidences of parasites, etc. Not to say that there weren't other spiritual reasons for these laws. Christ fulfilled the law. Your right, if you pick and chose out of the Old Testament, you have to live by all of it. Will you convince them? Maybe....If not, remember that man may give you a title, but God gives you a calling and no one can take that away from you. God Bless.

Answer 5

yeah thats kinda crazy isnt it? I honstly don't think that God is going to shun someone for putting tattoos onto their body. What if they put a tatt on of Jesus on the cross? I think the answer that you give the kids is more than ok. Obviously what you wrote on Leviticus , if that is true then pretty much all of us are screwed somehow. It sounds too picky for me. How many Christians actually cut/shave their hair and trim/shave their facial hair? All you can do is be yourself and you are obviously making the world a better place so don't worry too much about the tatts hon.

Answer 6

Ask these elders if they think the reference to tattoos is a civil, moral, or ceremonial law in Leviticus. Clearly it is civil, asking the Hebrews to distinguish themselves from their pagan neighbors.

If that doesn't work, ask them about their beards, as you say. They should know better if they are elders. If they have problems with the tattoos, it is time to find a better place to work.

Answer 7

Well, my husband is a Pastor, just on staff about 1 year now. We don't have any problem with tattoos. We don't have any ourselves, but oldest daughter (22) does. Three tats and several piercings. I think to work with youth, they need to relate to you, no big deal in my book.

It's what's in your heart that counts! Many Blessings!!

Answer 8

You have a mullet????
ACK!!!!
Just kidding.
It's all about Jesus. You can spend twenty years in cemetery and when you graduate it will still come down to a man on a cross saving the lost. You + GOD = GOD. Keep the main thing the main thing and glorify your father in Heaven. He made you just the way you are and you are being conformed to the image of Jesus. Relax and enjoy the ride.
GOD bless you for your willingness to serve.

Answer 9

Consider not being a member of a christain club (there are many flavours) and looking for leadership from others. Take your "Tats" and the knowledge you have acquired thusfar from the christains, and reach out to those who appreciate individuality. There are many who will trust you for your "Tats" . Lead them to the Source.

Answer 10

Read Acts, chapters 10 and 11. This makes all of the "unclean" animals "clean," and therefore edible.

Titus 1:14-15 "They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth. Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted."

This makes, basically, the entire book of Leviticus void...either you are pure, or you are not. God knows for sure.