"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.... To help with the project, Seay enlisted Scott Erickson, artist-in-residence at his church.... 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.... Margaret Feinberg, an evangelical Christian author, spoke at the gallery opening. She said she was taken by the "beautiful blend of art and flesh."
Let's talk about Christians doing lent, Christians getting tattoos and a Christian Church mimicking the Catholic 'Stations of the Cross'.
A good article is from GotQuestions: IS IT OK TO GET TATTOOS IF THEY ARE OF A CHRISTIAN NATURE? and it concludes--
"With that said, the biblically based conclusion would seem to be that Christian tattoos are permissible, but it is highly questionable whether they can be considered beneficial and constructive. A Christian considering getting a tattoo should pray for wisdom (James 1:5) and ask the Lord to provide pure motives and discernment."
In my opinion it is telling that the Houston Ecclesia Church put up an art show about the tattoos, glorifying both the flesh and promoting commercial opportunities for the artist based on what was supposed to be a spiritual activity...
This is what I mean by a different Gospel. This church calls itself Christian, but they adopt pagan practices. Lent is from Roman Catholicism, [which is a false religion]. Stations of the Cross is from Roman Catholicism. [which is a false religion]. Lent is a forty day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Usually it is accompanied by some form of prayer and fasting. (source)
"Lent is not from the Bible. There is no such thing in the Bible. It comes from the mystery religions of the cults of Babylon and was connected with the supposed killing of Baal by a wild boar; and for forty days and forty nights, the priestesses and the followers of Baal mourned his death until, supposedly, he rose from the dead on the 40th day, and that is where Lent came from, and it has been superimposed on Christianity..." (source)
"I believe the 40 day period called Lent had its origin in Babylon and came into the Catholic church with other pagan traditions at the time the Church and the pagan Roman religion were merged, in the 4th Century. That's why you won't find Lent mentioned anywhere in the Bible. As to whether or not you should observe it, that's a matter for your own conscience (Romans 14:5). If you use the 40 day period to reflect on what Jesus did for you on the cross and express your gratitude for His completed work, I think that's appropriate. But any attempt to make yourself more worthy of your salvation by temporarily denying yourself certain things is just religious work and is of no value." (source)
We know that adding to the Word will cause plagues and curses upon the speaker, (Rev 22:18) but lies of omission are just as blasphemous.
As an example, remember that when satan tempted Eve to take of the fruit and Eve balked because God had said that they would die, satan said, "You sill not surely die." He was not giving the whole counsel of God. They did not die- physically. They did die- spiritually. Do you see how devastating satan's lie of omission was?
Remember, nature abhors a vacuum. Remember, satan is sly and crafty. When preachers fail to preach the whole counsel of God, and when congregations cease diligent study of the whole counsel of God, then satan will fill that void with falsity, subtly at first, then increasingly, until you have what Ecclesia Church did- glorification of the flesh. The Holy Spirit is within us, because His work is to regenerate us from the inside out. That regeneration is supposed to show as Light and Salt, not tats for Jesus. (Matthew 5:13-16). He is sealed within us, we don't need tattoos on the outside to remind us that we are Christians. What, like 40 years from now, the Christian will forget he is a Christian but will remember if he looks at his tattoo? Though tattoos are currently trendy, we are not supposed to be of the world. (Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15). Therefore, permanently marking our flesh 'for Jesus' in my opinion serves no fruitful purpose.
Paul says to Timothy, "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (2 Tim 4:2-5)
Those are good words. Paul also said to pray without ceasing and those are good words too. Pray for your pastor. Pray for your leaders. Pray for your teachers, elders, deacons! Pray for each other. This essay, " The best thing you can do for your pastor" gives advice in praying for him, and what to pray, too. And please, don't get 'inked for Jesus.'
