Body Modification, tattooes, piercing, scarification etc History, origins, types of, and the Biblical answer

The Origins of Body Modification  Body scarification, tatooing, etc. has a long history

The Origins of Body Modification

 Body scarification, tattooing, etc, has a long history  These ancient heathen practices are found in all nations; a Maori tatooed man,1860;

Origins of Body Modification  Recent renewal of facial markings Maori Chief

History of Body Modification  In the Middle-east from Iran 3500BC (note ear piercing)

History of Body Modification from Iraq 9th century BC - King Assur with pierced ears

History of Body Modification Chinese Buddha, 13th century

History of Body Modification Polynesian chief

History of Body Modification  Africa scarification

History of Body Modification  African head-binding

History of Body Modification  Zulu customary scarification

History of Body Modification  Customary protection rites

History of Body Modification Lip plate - Ethiopia

History of Body Modification  Alaskan man with nose ring, 19th C

History of Body Modification  Chinese foot-binding

History of Body Modification  Borneo woman with stretched ear lobes

History of Body Modification  British tattooed man from 400AD

History of Body Modification  South American

History of Body Modification  Eskimo

History of Body Modification  In Borneo tattooing is mostly associated with head-hunting

History of Body Modification - Occultic connections Primitive scarification is almost always connected to religious and occultic practices. (Middle Eastern Muslims pierce their cheeks in a ritual)

History of Body Modification - Occultic connections It is believed here that children hold several spirits inside themselves. This little girl is believed to hold the spirit of a weasel in her and this makes her extremely vulnerable for seduction

History of Body Modification - Occultic connections  Hindus in Singapore

History of Body Modification - Occultic connections  Tattooing, among pagans, is considered a powerful tool: for at once the pigment was laid upon the skin, the indelible mark served as both protective shield and sacrifice to the supernatural.

Various types of Scarification  Tattoos  Body piercing  Mutilation

Various types  Tattoos

Various types Tattoos, Hindu god

Various types Tattoos

Various types Tattoos, on leg

Various types Tattoos, on stomach

Various types Tattoo, branded by burning into skin

Various Types  Tribal, Oriental, Celtic

Various types Branded birth chart

Various types Body piercing, naval

Various types Body piercing, tongue

Various types Body piercing (and tattoos), tongue studs

Various types  Nasal bridge

Various Types  Labrets - tribal heritage

Various Types  Ear piercing

Various types Mutilation, the ultimate form of body modification an ear being adjusted

The painful process  The process is painful

The painful process  The problem with nose jobs for modification purposes is that the pain and problems may start later:

Nose jobs  Observe Michael Jackson’s nose...

The painful process  A nose job

Various types Mutilation and pleasure through pain

Various types  Self-flagellation

Various types Self-flagellation, pain for penance

Various types  Some go so far as crucifixion

Popularity of tattoos  Even among many Christians the once- forbidden tattoo is welcomed with open arms (and legs, and necks, and backs, etc)  Not surprising the major perpetrator of the Christian tattoo is the Christian rock music community.

Popularity of tattoos  And fast following their Christian rock idols, thousands of Christian young people are getting "marked for Jesus" with the tattoo.  A Christian Tattoo Association (CTA) has been established

Popularity of Tattoos  Modern and Primitive

Popularity of Tattoos  Coptic Christian - Ethiopia

Popularity of Tattoos  The Tribe - Modern Primitivism Movement

What does the Bible say?  “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord.” Lev 19:28  Throughout history the tattoo bears the mark of paganism, demonism, Baal worship, shamanism, mysticism, heathenism, cannibalism etc

What does the Bible say?  The tattoo has NEVER been associated with Bible Believing Christians. And whenever and wherever, in history Christianity appears – tattoos disappear. The only exception is recent, lukewarm, carnal, disobedient, Laodicean Christians.

Christ’s piercing for us “He was pierced for our iniquities” Is 53 No self-inflicted injury is necessary He has paid the Redemption price Christ has inscribed, or `tattooed’ you on His hands Is 49:16

Christ’s victory over death  Christ’s death and resurrection gives us life. The tattoo culture is obsessed with death.

Christ’s victory over hell  “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him..." Revelation 6:8  “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” Matthew 25:41

Christ’s victory over hell  Tattoos are preoccupied with death, hell and the flames of hell

Christ’s victory over the devil And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound…”Rev 22:2 “Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27

His mark forever  Revelation 7:2-3: “...till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Revelation 14:1: “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion,..., having his Father's name written in their foreheads.