Tattoos and cosmetic surgery

Tattoos have become common, and cosmetic surgery is becoming commonplace. Many Christians wonder what the Bible says about them. Before answering, let us define the terms.

A tattoo is an indelible design made by introducing dyes under the skin by means of needle pricks. Marks that fade over time are not concerned here. Cosmetic surgery covers procedures that aim to improve physical appearance. We will distinguish between reconstructive surgery and enhancement surgery.

Tattoos in the biblical world

In the ancient Near East, the followers of certain gods sometimes wore a tattoo on the hand or the forehead, bearing the symbol of their deity. This mark said to whom they belonged and under whose protection they placed themselves. It also recalled the mark imposed on slaves. Some commentators compare the sign God places on Cain to protect him with these practices (Genesis 4:15). The book of Revelation takes up this image of a mark on the hand or the forehead (Revelation 13:16).

It is in this context that we must read the only Bible verse that speaks of tattooing: “You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:28).

Three questions about Leviticus 19:28

1. Does the prohibition concern only rites for the dead? Grammatically, nothing requires us to attach tattooing to the first part of the verse. The prohibition seems rather to be linked to the meaning of tattoos among the neighbouring peoples. And the verse makes no exception: the practice is simply forbidden. The aim was for Israel to stand apart from the nations, to show that its God is unique.

The other peoples marked their belonging to a god on their skin. Israel, for its part, showed it first through the community it formed. Admittedly, Israel had outward signs: circumcision, the tassels on garments, certain haircuts. But these signs were limited and were meant first to express an inner reality. God probably did not want to lengthen the list and place too heavy a burden on his people. For Christians, belonging to God is shown above all by an attitude, in particular love between brothers and sisters.

2. Is it the same kind of tattoo as today? The technique is the same. The meaning, however, has partly changed. A tattoo can still mark belonging to a group, a gang or a school of thought. But it can also be a graphic art intended to adorn the body, which does not seem to have been the case 3,000 years ago.

3. Is this passage narrative or normative? Many Old Testament laws no longer apply as they stand. But this course considers this passage to be rather normative, because we are still called to be different from the world around us. The author recognises that this interpretation can be debated, and other Christians think that this prohibition no longer concerns believers. That is why we must also question the New Testament.

Belonging

Paul writes to the Corinthians: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you […]? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

The context is different, since Paul is speaking about sexual immorality. But the principles he sets out hold true for all time: our body is the temple of the Spirit, we belong to God, and we must glorify him in our body. This course concludes from this that, if we belong to God, we should avoid bearing in our flesh the mark of belonging to a movement, a school of thought or a human organisation.

Appearance

In Western Europe, the first reason for getting a tattoo is probably appearance. We must then ask ourselves: is it to please myself, or to please someone else? The author observes that many young people get tattoos because they find them beautiful, but also to attract attention. Since a tattoo is made to be seen, it can encourage people to reveal more and more of their body, in a society that is already highly sexualised.

Being beautiful is not forbidden for Christians. But appearance must not become a priority or an excessive concern. Peter invites us to seek first the adornment of “the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:3-4). We are also called to accept ourselves as God made us.

Cosmetic surgery

The Bible obviously does not speak of cosmetic surgery, even if ancient forms of reconstructive surgery seem to date back to ancient Egypt. We must therefore reflect on the basis of the place of the body in Scripture, and above all on the basis of motives.

Reconstructive surgery aims to restore to a person the appearance they had before an accident or an illness. It may be necessary to regain the use of a part of the body, or to avoid a deformity that hampers social life. This course considers that each case must be examined separately, without generalisation. For example, a breast reduction may be considered by a woman who suffers from chronic back pain. Discernment then concerns the real need, health and the deeper reasons for the step.

Conclusion

Even when a tattoo is done to give glory to God, the position of this course is that Christians should first live out their faith inwardly, then express it through their actions towards their neighbour. For surgery, there is no single rule, but a question to ask honestly before God: why am I doing this?

Finally, these convictions must never become a reason for judgement. Many people have tattoos done before their conversion or for reasons that are dear to them. They have their full place in the Church.