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March 3rd, 2012
02:00 AM ET
Inking for Jesus: Dozens of church members take Lenten tattoo challengeBy Dan Merica, CNN (CNN)-– In a hip, artsy, area of Houston, a hip, artsy pastor is taking an unorthodox approach to Lent. Standing in front of his congregation at Ecclesia Church, a congregation he admits is different - more diverse, more urban - than many evangelical churches - Chris Seay encouraged them to do so something he said combines the ideas of sacrifice and devotion that mark the Lenten season, the 40-day lead up to Easter. He asked them to get tattoos. Specifically, he asked congregants to get a tattoo corresponding with one of the Stations of the Cross, the collection of images that depict scenes in Jesus’ journey to his crucifixion. “The tendency we have as Christians is to skip past Jesus’ suffering,” Seay said in an interview. “Not only do tattoos come with a bit of suffering, they are also an art form that has not fully been embraced.” To help with the project, Seay enlisted Scott Erickson, artist-in-residence at his church. Erickson designed 10 distinct Stations of the Cross tattoos, leaving out four stations that Seay said changed in context when you are asking someone to get something permanently drawn on their body. CNN’s Belief Blog: The faith angles behind the biggest stories The Stations of the Cross depict Jesus from his condemnation to the Resurrection. The church is now displaying photographs of the tattoos in the church’s art gallery, in an exhibition called “Cruciformity: Stations on the Skin.” Initially, Seay has hoped that enough people – 10– would sign up to fill each station of the cross. But his expectations were far exceeded. Seay says that more than 50 people are now brandishing one of Erickson’s designs on their bodies. Guadeloupe Rodriguez is among them. When Seay pitched the tattoo idea from the pulpit, Rodriguez’s wife squeezed his hand. “That is what you have been waiting for,” she said. “I fell into some hard times in my past, hanging out with the wrong crowd … got into some pretty tough drugs,” said Rodriguez, who says he found Jesus at Ecclesia. “My aunt, though, on her deathbed, said to me, ‘You only have one God, one mom and one dad – you need to be straightening up for all three of them.” Because of that experience, Rodriguez had the churches 10th station image, the resurrection, tattooed to his body. He felt that the two birds holding a suspended banner that read, “Rise Again,” perfectly fit his personal story. “From the day my aunt said that to me, I relied on the Lord a lot to guide me in the right direction,” Rodriguez said. “I am where I am now because of God.” Another member of Ecclesia, Joyce O’Connor, channeled her family when she was deciding what station of the cross to get tattooed onto her body. O’Connor, who has one biological child and two stepchildren, connected with the fourth station, Jesus meeting his mother. “I am a mother and in just a minuscule way can relate to how Mary must have felt,” O’Conner said. “The tattoo captured me and I love it,” she continued. “When I think of that image, I don’t feel tragedy or sadness because I know how the story ends and it makes me smile.” This was O’Connor’s first “tat,” and she said this project has exemplified why she came to Ecclesia in the first place - acceptance, out-of-the-box thinking, diversity. Margaret Feinberg, an evangelical Christian author, spoke at the gallery opening. She said she was taken by the “beautiful blend of art and flesh.” “I remember standing in a small booth on an upper landing looking at everyone in the room,” Feinberg wrote in an e-mail. People “from every walk of life - exploring and celebrating this time of Lent - the scene took my breath away.” According to Seay, such experiences deem the project a success. He admits to spending a lot of time dissuading individual congregants from getting tattoos after he announced the idea. People have to “know it is what they are supposed to do,” he said. The design Seay choose for himself, the resurrection, which shows a tree growing from a coffin, like Rodriguez’s. On Seay’s tattoo, however, the initials of people he loves fill the tree’s leaves and his nickname for his grandfather – Papa – is carved into its stump. Seay lost his grandfather, Robert Baldwin, last year. Baldwin had been a pastor in the Houston area for 60 years and Seay considered him his mentor. Though Seay still misses him desperately, the tattoo reminds him of a simple biblical message. “Death,” he says, “comes from life.”
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#11 or doublecross, the latter makes more sense but- "pray to athiests"? that makes no sense at all and i'm surprised no one has commented on this already anyone?
this should have been posted to exathiest below at 10:36 do not know what happened except now i'm the one that looks pretty dumb. or you can apply to his/her post. sorry
justme,
A misplaced post does not make you look dumb. Don't worry about it.
You might want to worry about your delusions, however.
cloudy; if you return, what delusions are you referring to?
STICK WITH PREACHING THE GOSPEL PASTOR!!!!!! Don't get sidetracked into thinking this is going to be the best or even a good way to reach out to others. Reach out to those who don't know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by going out and telling the good news to them. You may think it is a reminder for those who see the tattoo. But, the more lasting reminder is when one who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has a convicting conversation(s) with one who hasn't accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
If you are truly saved, then why would you need a reminder like this? By being truly saved, you already understand the grace God has given unto you and you don't need a tattoo to remind you of that.
"...if you are truly saved..." how dare you question someone's salvation when they are obviously trying to follow a well-meaning pastor in a Lenten exercise. I don't agree with getting tattoos, but that is due to my own personal preference, and I don't know whether it is right or wrong. Either way, these people are trying to have a physical reminder of what Jesus did for them, and they aren't hurting anyone else. Don't push your egotistical views on others and condemn them for a decision that they've made to HONOR Jesus. In today's world, the church needs to use other means to get secular people's attention, and, although I don't particularly agree with this method, I applaud this church and this pastor for trying.
@Colby, One is free to do whatever the want and degrade themselves as they wish, but don't equate what they do to serving Jesus that I serve. The Jesus I serve, says: If you do these things...they are neither done for Him or in His name. Perhaps the pastor is referring to the Spanish "jesus-Hesus". Certainly not Christ that died on the cross and resurrected.
....all these people serving jesus ~ could I get a burger and a shake?
Colby,
I don't condemn them for doing this. I question this method. I am most concerned with bringing people to Christ which I think we would both agree with. I understand the pastor is well-intended. But, I will say that It shouldn't have to take a tattoo to get people to take an interest in Jesus Christ. The one of the best, if not the best, ways to get people's attention about Jesus Christ is exemplify Him in our daily lives and talk about Him when the chance arises with those who do not know him and haven't accepted Him as Lord and Savior. A tattoo or multiple tattoos may be a notice to others saying "hey, you should check out this Jesus guy" but there is going to have to be more to it for others to make that life-changing commitment to accept Jesus Christ and follow in His ways. It may be a catalyst to start a conversation talking about Jesus Christ and what He has done for all of us but those who wear the tattoo and all Christians will have to be ready to defend and teach the gospel after that initial ice-breaker starting the conversation. I just don't see tattooing being enough and I see it as unnecessary.
If God is using this for His glory, then who am I to question any of this?
AB,
I appreciate your response and your understanding. I believe that trying to live a life according to the parameters that our Savior has given to us is by far the best way to show a nonChristian what the Gospel is all about. Although, I do believe that if you can cause any person to be reminded of Jesus, in a strictly non-pejorative way (the method from this article is undoubtedly debatable on this point), then it should be done. The setting in which I live is populated by a majority of secular Jews, and, oftentimes, my life choices go largely unnoticed. So, rather than only striving to make the best decisions I can, I may supplement my quasi-evangelic techniques by wearing a shirt with a cross on it, or I may leave a slip of paper with a Bible verse written on it on a table, in hopes that someone may see it and it spark some food for thought in his/her brain.
I believe the people referenced in this article are doing the same, although in a more permanent and controversial fashion and possibly with different motives (but who am I to know their motives, that is between God and themselves).
Blessings, Colby
Some references for those who want to read more about the historical Jesus before getting that tattoo:
1. Historical Jesus Theories, earlychristianwritings.com/theories.htm – the names of many of the contemporary historical Jesus scholars and the ti-tles of their over 100 books on the subject.
2. Early Christian Writings, earlychristianwritings.com/
– a list of early Christian doc-uments to include the year of publication–
3. Historical Jesus Studies, faithfutures.org/HJstudies.html,
– "an extensive and constantly expanding literature on historical research into the person and cultural context of Jesus of Nazareth"
4. Jesus Database, faithfutures.org/JDB/intro.html–"The JESUS DATABASE is an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus that have survived from the first three centuries of the Common Era. It includes both canonical and extra-canonical materials, and is not limited to the traditions found within the Christian New Testament."
5. Josephus on Jesus mtio.com/articles/bissar24.htm
6. The Jesus Seminar, mystae.com/restricted/reflections/messiah/seminar.html#Criteria
7. Writing the New Testament- mystae.com/restricted/reflections/messiah/testament.html
8. Health and Healing in the Land of Israel By Joe Zias
joezias.com/HealthHealingLandIsrael.htm
9. Economics in First Century Palestine, K.C. Hanson and D. E. Oakman, Palestine in the Time of Jesus, Fortress Press, 1998.
For a change you need to start reading the Bible 🙂
How did you learn to drive your car? by practicing on your bike?
Reading all the books on the subject won't change the fact I and many others are atheists. All one needs to do is read the bible to know it's a collection of mythologies. A pretty poor collection at that.
Reference #2 is a great compilation of the gospels / New Testament and related scriptures. Enjoy!!!
If you're 'of the book,' then you should revere every word. No body mutilation! Lev.19:28
Ink in skin isnt mutilation..
well i suppose it is up for interpretation. Just like the whole bible, it is after all made by man.
No bodily mutilation, only cannibalistic rituals
Another translation of the Bible Leviticus 19:28 says " ‘And YOU must not make cuts in YOUR flesh for a deceased soul, and YOU must not put tattoo marking upon yourselves. I am Jehovah."
A tattoo is a permanent mark or design on the skin made by cutting the skin to produce scars or by inserting coloring matter under the skin.
The Israelites were forbidden to engage in this practice, one that was common among some other ancient peoples. (Leviticus 19:28) For example, there were times when the Egyptians tattooed the names or symbols of their deities on their breast or arms. By complying with Jehovah’s law not to disfigure their bodies, the Israelites would have stood out as different from other nations. (Deuteronomy 14:1, 2) The prohibition would also have impressed upon them a proper respect for the human body as God’s creation, to be used in honoring him.—Psalms 100:3; Psalms 139:13-16; Romans 12:1.
Jesus want his followers to follow his steps closely (1 Peter 2:21) and that does not include tattoos.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wih deep respect, in response to Matt's comment about the Bible been up for interpretation because it was all made by man:
1 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness..."
2 Peter 1:20, 21 "For YOU know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit."
James 1:22 "However, become doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves with false reasoning."
Matt. Nobody has ever disputed that the bible was written by men.
Christian tattoos is not new. But Jesus approval of it is very much debated and disputed. So everybody against don't do it and pray for them, everybody doubting dont do it and pray for the matter and everybody for it; pray for the ones against untill you may hear what Jesus approves of and what not and then preach it
They'll all be sorry that they did this one day, those are some really ugly tattoos.
@ Ozilot, I was thinking the same thing too when I heard a pastor telling a congregation to get tattos. He must not know the bible.
@buddy, Isn't ink what's used in tattoos today! If "inking" your body was used in evil in the past, it can be used the same to day too. Plus God said not to do it, I'll just obey!
Evidently, this pastor forgot the specific admonishment against tattoos in the Bible. Whoops.
And where in the bible would it say that...
More reasons you may not want to get that "forever" tatoo:
The Apostles' Creed 2011: (updated based on the studies of historians and theologians during the past 200 years)
I might believe in a god whose existence cannot be proven
and said god if he/she/it exists resides in an unproven,
human-created, spirit state of bliss called heaven.
I believe there was a 1st century CE, Jewish, simple,
preacher-man who was conceived by a Jewish carpenter
named Joseph living in Nazareth and born of a young Jewish
girl named Mary. (Some say he was a mamzer.)
Jesus was summarily crucified for being a temple rabble-rouser by
the Roman troops in Jerusalem serving under Pontius Pilate,
He was buried in an unmarked grave and still lies
a-mouldering in the ground somewhere outside of
Jerusalem.
Said Jesus' story was embellished and "mythicized" by
many semi-fiction writers. A bodily resurrection and
ascension stories were promulgated to compete with the
Caesar myths. Said stories were so popular that they
grew into a religion known today as Catholicism/Christianity
and featuring dark-age, daily wine to blood and bread to body rituals
called the eucharistic sacrifice of the non-atoning Jesus.
Amen
Why are you copying and pasting everywhere? This is a forum for discussion. Peice together some thoughts of your own and come back
The Apostles' Creed 2011: (updated by yours truly based on the studies of historians and theologians during the past 200 years)
Some of the references used for the update: (more available upon request)
. Historical Jesus Theories, earlychristianwritings.com/theories.htm – the names of many of the contemporary historical Jesus scholars and the ti-tles of their over 100 books on the subject.
2. Early Christian Writings, earlychristianwritings.com/
– a list of early Christian doc-uments to include the year of publication–
3. Historical Jesus Studies, faithfutures.org/HJstudies.html,
– "an extensive and constantly expanding literature on historical research into the person and cultural context of Jesus of Nazareth"
4. Jesus Database, faithfutures.org/JDB/intro.html–"The JESUS DATABASE is an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus that have survived from the first three centuries of the Common Era. It includes both canonical and extra-canonical materials, and is not limited to the traditions found within the Christian New Testament."
5. Josephus on Jesus mtio.com/articles/bissar24.htm
6. The Jesus Seminar, mystae.com/restricted/reflections/messiah/seminar.html#Criteria
7. Writing the New Testament- mystae.com/restricted/reflections/messiah/testament.html
8. Health and Healing in the Land of Israel By Joe Zias
joezias.com/HealthHealingLandIsrael.htm
9. Economics in First Century Palestine, K.C. Hanson and D. E. Oakman, Palestine in the Time of Jesus, Fortress Press, 1998
Oh Ecclesia! Always seeking ways to get "noticed." Pastor Seay is nothing if not a master of self-promotion.
Only for the newbies:--------–>>>
Before getting that "forever" tatoo, carefully review the following:
JC's family and friends had it right 2000 years ago ( Mark 3: 21 "And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.")
Said passage is one of the few judged to be authentic by most contemporary NT scholars. e.g. See Professor Ludemann's conclusion in his book, Jesus After 2000 Years, p. 24 and p. 694
Actually, Jesus was a bit "touched". After all he thought he spoke to Satan, thought he changed water into wine, thought he raised Lazarus from the dead etc. In today's world, said Jesus would be declared legally insane.
Or did P, M, M, L and J simply make him into a first century magic-man via their epistles and gospels of semi-fiction? Most contemporary NT experts after thorough analyses of all the scriptures go with the latter magic-man conclusion with J's gospel being mostly fiction.
Obviously, today's followers of Paul et al's "magic-man" are also a bit on the odd side believing in all the Christian mumbo jumbo about bodies resurrecting, and exorcisms, and miracles, and "magic-man atonement, and infallible, old, European/Utah white men, and 24/7 body/blood sacrifices followed by consumption of said sacrifices. Yummy!!!!
So why do we really care what a first century CE, illiterate, long-dead, insane, preacher man would do or say?
Goes to show how uneducated on the subject you are. They thought he was crazy back then as well. I suppose you think jesus was "fake" as well, and never existed. Laughable
Because he is the son of God and our saviour.
You're words don't make much since what are you trying to say?
It seems that Scott Erickson, artist-in-residence at his church, is making a quick buck off of this. I wonder how much the pastor's cut is.
Naw...I know Painter Scott. Accepting money would interfere with his strident "hipster" lifestyle, which he values possibly more than his Christian lifestyle. Gotta keep up the image, you know.
Lucky people to be able to believe that they will go to heaven while everyone who doesn't believe the way they do will rot in hell for eternity. Maybe they should tattoo that on their chests. I'm going to heaven – you, not so much.
Not true. But if you like to use that as a defense and not be accountable for your life then go ahead..
Live like Jesus, Live holy n blameless... I really dont think that entails tattoos. Common sense. Just another way things are so mixed up in these times.
People can do what they please, but tattoos deface one of God's greatest gifts...our bodies. Tattoos should be avoided. If someone wants to show their Christianity outwardly let it be reflected in how they treat other people not by defacing our bodies.
And tell those kids to get off my lawn!
Funny.... I thought the bible and the lord specifically said not to desecrate your bodies, but here we have a pastor doing that exact thing.
So you mock the bible but like to use it as a weapon? Choose...
Bristoltwit Palin has a picture of her favorite buttplug tattooed on her boobs.
This is true.
I remember in college seeing a guy with the name "Heather" tattooed on his arm. I asked if he was still with her. He said no. That pretty much sums up how wise I feel it is to get anything permanently affixed to your skin.
Reasons why Atheism is TERRIBLE and unhealthy for our children and living things...
† Atheism makes you stupid, ignorant & blind.
† Atheism is a disease that needs to be treated.
† Atheism makes you post stupid things.
† Atheist are satanic and have gothic lifestyle.
† Atheists causes problem in our religious society.
† Atheists are mentally ill, that's why they have no faith.
† Atheism won't take you to kingdom of heaven and paradise.
† Atheism making you agree with Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot & other terrible mass murder leaders.
† No traditional family lifestyle, no holidays, no culture, boring and feeling 'outsider'
† Atheists are angry, alcoholics and committ the most crime.
† Atheist try to convert people over internet because they feel "safer" behind closet.
† Atheists do not really exist, they just pretend that they don't believe in God and argue with religious people.
† Atheists have had terrible life experience, bad childhood and not being loved.
† Most Atheists are uneducated... No Atheists could run for presidency.
† Atheism brought upon the French Revolution, one of the most evil events of all of history.
† Atheism cannot explain the origins of the universe, therefore God exists.
† All atheists believe in evolution, which means they don't believe in morality and think we should all act like animals.
† The Bible says atheism is wrong, and the Bible is always right (see: Genesis 1:1, Psalms 14:1, Psalms 19:1, Romans 1:19-20)
† Countries where Atheism is prevalent has the highest Suicide rate!
†† Our Prayers goes to Atheists to be mentally healthy and seek their creator ††
A wise woman once told me, "point a finger at someone and three fingers are pointing back at yourself."
Do you actually believe half the things you just said? I'm not an atheist by any means, but your comment is ignorance at its finest. Athesim is a disease? Atheists are uneducated? You are a fool if you believe all of this.
Based on your post's claims, ExA, I'm far more concerned about your education than your spiritual beliefs.
Obvious troll – pay no attention.
As a Christian, I am very embarrassed by this comment.
Crack kills. Please put down the pipe before it's too late.
All this guy does is paste this all over.. I wouldnt be surprised if he was an athiest
troll or retard ? hard to tell ..
If god is omnipotent, why did he have to send his son to die as a sacrifice to himself? None of the story holds together except that there was a man named Jesus with a wild imagination and a few good ideas about how we should treat each other. Christianity is no different than any of the other religions practiced throughout the tens of thousands of years of human evolution. We have just had the written word during its tenure to continue the myth from century to century.
...all this serving jesus goin on...could I get a burger and fries?
why pray to athiests?
I have tattoos, several of them actually. Some of them I have gotten since I rededicated my life to Christ 7 years ago. As a Christian I am fully aware of the Old Testiments scripture of not marking your body , not defiling your temple, etc. Me getting tattoos does not hinder my walk with Christ. Body piercings do not hinder my walk with Christ. If we want to get right down to it, no one should wear earrings, cut their hair, wear make up, over eat, get acrylic nails, etc....it all, according to the Old Testiment, defiles our temples (bodies). We should focus on loving God, loving our families, and loving our neighbors in that order because thats what Christ wants us to do. We all should want to love all people, spreading Gods love to all, hoping they make the decision to accept Christ into their hearts, tattooed or not.
I agree, it was a different time and I believe those people were marking their bodies for completely different reasons...marking to pay homage to false idols and to give praise to these idols...1 Corinthians 10:31
English Standard Version (ESV)
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
...those old testament folks weren't doing it for god, but for something not of god..just my thoughts
Hon: if you truly are seeking God's face, you will never find it. There are a lot of folks just like you who believe, if they are nice people and do good; attend church service, serve at a local food pantry, they will enter the kingdom of God. I've got news for you: Wrong!! You better start reading the bible and before starting, its important to get on your knees, pray for forgiveness and dis associations from everything that is not of God out of your life. Then ask God to open your spiritual eyes so you will discern what the scripture commands. If not, you will forever be seeing and hearing, but never perceiving. This goes to "pastors" as well. A good place to start would be from the book of Mathew. Also, the constant reference to the old testament as though the new replaces the old is incorrect. Christ came to fulfill the commandments of his father and that includes all of the old testament. The only new in His coming is that, through Christ, we can receive salvation and re-enter into the fold. "Watch out, so ye may not be deceived, for false-prophets(antichrist) are in the world today".