Many Christians are uncomfortable when considering tattoos. On one hand, there’s Leviticus 19:28: “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.” On the other hand, countless faithful believers have tattoos, including Christian symbols. How do we navigate this apparent contradiction from a Reformed perspective?

 

THE BIBLICAL TEXT IN CONTEXT

Leviticus 19:28 appears among various commands given to set Israel apart from surrounding nations. The prohibition specifically targeted pagan mourning rituals and idolatrous markings that identified worshipers with their deities. God’s people were to be distinct, not adopting practices associated with false worship.

Understanding the Hebrew reveals more nuance than English translations suggest. The term translated as “tattoo marks” (qa’aqa’) appears only once in Scripture and specifically referred to ritual markings. This wasn’t addressing decorative body art as we know it today, but markings with pagan religious significance.

 

REFORMED HERMENEUTICAL PRINCIPLES

The Reformed tradition carefully distinguishes between moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects of Old Testament law. Moral laws (like prohibitions against murder or adultery) remain binding, while ceremonial laws (like dietary restrictions or temple rituals) were fulfilled in Christ.

The Westminster Confession articulates ceremonial laws are now “abrogated under the New Testament” (19.3). The prohibition against tattoos appears among ceremonial purity laws that established Israel’s distinct identity—similar to commands about mixed fabrics or particular haircuts, which most Christians no longer observe literally.

 

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY AND CONSCIENCE

Reformed theology places high value on Christian liberty in matters not essential to salvation. As Paul writes in Romans 14:5, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”

John Calvin emphasised believers are free from the “yoke of the law” while still bound to its moral principles. This means issues not directly addressed in New Testament ethics often fall under Christian liberty and conscience.

 

THE BODY AS TEMPLE

Perhaps most relevant to the tattoo question is the New Testament teaching about our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This doesn’t necessarily prohibit tattoos, but calls us to careful stewardship of our bodies.

The relevant question becomes: Does a particular tattoo honour God’s temple or dishonour it? Content, motivation, and cultural context all matter in answering this question.

 

PASTORAL WISDOM FOR TODAY

Reformed theology offers these balanced considerations for Christians contemplating tattoos:

• Content matters: Markings that glorify sin or communicate anti-biblical messages are inappropriate regardless of medium.
• Motivation matters: Why do you want this permanent mark? Is it to honor God, commemorate something significant, or simply follow cultural trends?
• Witness matters: In your specific cultural context, how will this affect your Christian testimony? Will it create unnecessary barriers or potentially open doors for gospel conversations?
• Liberty with responsibility: While we have freedom in Christ, we’re called to use that freedom wisely, considering how our choices affect the faith of others (1 Corinthians 8:9).

 

CONCLUSION: TATTOOS: ARE THEY EVER OKAY?

The Reformed tradition’s best answer on tattoos is not a simple yes or no, but a call to thoughtful discernment. The prohibition in Leviticus addressed specific pagan practices in ancient Israel, not all forms of body art for all time.

Christians today are called to honour God with their bodies while exercising wisdom and conscience. Some believers may choose tattoos that honour God and tell their faith story. Others may abstain, feeling convicted their body should remain unmarked—as God made it.

Both positions can be faithful applications of Scripture when they flow from a heart seeking to honour God. What matters most is not whether skin bears ink, but whether our lives bear witness to the transforming grace of Christ.

”So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

 

TATTOOS: ARE THEY EVER OKAY? RELATED FAQs

What do modern Reformed scholars like Timothy Keller and RC Sproul say about tattoos? Timothy Keller has suggested Christians have freedom in this area while emphasising wisdom and cultural context. RC Sproul, while more conservative, acknowledged the Leviticus prohibition was primarily concerned with pagan religious practices rather than all forms of body art. Both scholars emphasised motives and content matter far more than the mere presence of ink.

• Can tattoos be ministerial tools for evangelism? Many Christians have found meaningful tattoos can open doors for gospel conversations, particularly in subcultures where body art is prevalent. Ministries like “Tattoos on the Heart” have embraced this approach, using body art as bridges to share Christ’s love with those who might otherwise be unreached. This approach aligns with Paul’s principle of becoming “all things to all people” to save some (1 Corinthians 9:22).
• How do different Reformed denominations view tattoos today? Presbyterian (PCA/OPC) churches generally leave this to Christian liberty while encouraging wisdom. Dutch Reformed traditions tend to be more conservative, with some congregations discouraging tattoos on grounds of modesty and stewardship. Baptist churches in the Reformed tradition vary widely, with urban congregations generally being more accepting than rural ones. Most Reformed denominations avoid making this a matter of church discipline.
• What about tattoos obtained before becoming a Christian? Reformed theology emphasizes that salvation brings forgiveness for past sins, not necessarily erasure of their physical consequences. Pre-conversion tattoos need not be removed, as they can serve as powerful testimonies to God’s transforming grace. Many converts find their old tattoos become conversation starters about how Christ has changed their lives.
• How does the “regulative principle” in Reformed worship relate to personal tattoos? While the regulative principle (that worship should include only what Scripture explicitly commands) governs corporate worship, it isn’t typically applied to personal bodily decisions in Reformed theology. However, some more traditional Reformed thinkers extend this principle to argue that since Scripture doesn’t explicitly approve tattoos, Christians should avoid them. Most contemporary Reformed theologians, however, consider this an overextension of a principle meant for corporate worship.
• How should Christians view tattoos of Bible verses or religious symbols? Tattoos of Scripture or Christian symbols require particular thoughtfulness, as they literally inscribe God’s Word or sacred imagery on human skin. Some scholars caution against potential irreverence if the body part displayed doesn’t honour the sacred text. Others affirm that permanently marking oneself with God’s truth can be a beautiful testimony of commitment. Context, placement, and motivation remain crucial considerations.

 

TATTOOS: ARE THEY EVER OKAY?

• ‘My Body My Choice’? What Does Scripture Actually Teach?