The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum A Discussion...

I am having a discussion with a few people about (of all things, sigh…) “nipple rings” and things like that. I was telling a group of Christians (supposed Calvinists) about an experience I had years ago when I was a deacon in a Baptist Church. Here is what I told him as an example of why I am not in favour of these kinds of things for Christians.

Basically the answer I got back was a long drawn out reply basically accusing me of being pharisaic. Also saying I might not like something because of personal taste, but unless I can show from Scripture that it is evil, it says absolutely nothing on whether or not the person is being “worldly.”
What are your thoughts?
Tom

1. Scripture forbids marking of the body or piercings of it (Lev. 19:28 notice the context). These practices have always been related to paganism and idol worship.

2. Tattoos and piercings draw undue attention to oneself, which is not something a true Christian should desire (1Pet 3:1-4).

3. Tattoos and piercings are undeniably a current fad of the world and its rebellion against God. Christians are not be part of this world (Col 2:20; Jam 4:4; 2Pet 2:20-22; 1Joh 2:16),

4. Here is one of several articles one can find online which does a reasonably adequate job of speaking out against tattoos and body piercing: Tattoos and Body Piercings - Does it Matter What the Bible Says?.

The only thing worse than having to participate in the discussion is actually getting the nipple ring..... This is how far Christianity is falling .... as far as who lays claim to it and how they are preoccupied

Thanks Pilgrim

What do you think of what I said to him and his reaction?

Tom

1. You should have instructed him from Scripture concerning tattoos and body piercings. What YOU thought or felt is irrelevant and neither is how others may perceive him or what effect his piercings would have on others. Subjectivism is never a basis to make any type of judgment concerning what is right/wrong, good/bad, proper/improper, etc.

2. His response appears to indicate that he has either been influenced by the world (backslidden?) or he is unregenerate. To pierce his body on a dare is a serious sign in regard to his spiritual state. The fact that he accused you of being Pharisaical also tends to indicate an antinomian mentality. Of course it is nearly impossible to make a definitive assessment of this man's actual spiritual condition. But from what little you have revealed, it would seem he is a typical "evanjellycal' who has at some point made a 'decision for Jesus' and was told he is saved, not having been truly converted. Why? because the indication is he has not left the world; separated himself from his normal lifestyle and sought after holiness, leaving all behind and submitting to the Word of God in all things.

3. Who vetted this man and approved of him to work as an interim pastor, of all things, at your church? Something sounds strange from this side of the pond.

Thanks Pilgrim that was helpful.
Concerning your number 3.
In the denomination I was in at the time, it was fairly common to except summer interns that are seminary students.
I did not mention this but all Churches that accept a summer intern need to report to the seminary their thoughts on how the interns did.
Although I never did let my pastor know about the nipple piercing incident. Never the less, my pastor didn't give the intern a very good review. One thing he said on the review was that the intern was very immature.
Tom