Yes, but not very much. It does however give us principles on the basis of which we can form our conclusions.
There is one verse in the Bible that mentions tattoos: Leviticus 19:28. It would appear from the context that this tattooing and body cutting was in relation to pagan or occult practices and beliefs [note verses 26 and 31].
Application: Some contemporary tattooing and body piercing is done with pagan symbols and pagan intentions. If you do a web search for - tattoos + paganism - you will see ample verification of this. This does not mean that all contemporary tattoos have pagan meanings. What it does mean, at the very least, is that Christians should definitely not get tattoos that have pagan or occult meaning or associations. It also means that the Christian person should check out the significance of any tattoo design offered to them, except those whose meanings are obviously clean. Note that even some geometric patterns have pagan or occult meanings. Don’t assume something has no spiritual meaning just because it looks harmless.
Similarly, it is obviously wrong for a Christian to wear a tattoo that is obscene, immoral or sexually suggestive, or that promotes or displays anything that is detestable to God.
The Bible mentions body piercing in:
Apart from ears and nose, no other body piercing is mentioned. The above verses do not allow us to say that ear and nose piercing is wrong in itself. What is wrong is [1] any association with false worship that is signified by the piercing or the rings; and [2] the ear and/or nose rings being part of a luxurious lifestyle in which social justice and spiritual integrity was absent.
In the Genesis reference above, in some traditional tribal communities, and for some people today, body piercing had or has a spiritual significance. This is a point of serious caution for any Christian considering piercing.
The Bible does not mention piercing of any body parts usually covered by clothing. The piercing of these parts raises questions regarding immorality, immodesty and nudity. This involves areas in which the prohibitive biblical standards are clear.
Medical/sociological articles suggest links between body piercing and sadomasochism, homosexual practices, substance abuse, multiple sexual partners, sexual risk-taking, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, and violent behaviour. This does not mean that the body piercing causes these behaviours, but that piercing can be an indicator of the presence of relational, social, emotional or psychological problems. Linking this with the biblical perspective, it is one more indicator of that deep lostness from which the message of the Bible has the power to save us.
Yes. There are a number of principles that can help us:
[1] The principle of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
This principle outlaws any tattooing or piercing that has any pagan or occult association or significance, If a Christian person plans to get a tattoo they should first check out what the symbol or drawing means. Pagan sites have images of symbols and descriptions of their significance. Some of these look like harmless geometric patterns, but they have pagan symbolism. One must be very careful here. Similarly, body piercing with a spiritual significance is outlawed.
This principle, and the next, outlaws any piercing and any tattoo that encourages or depicts immorality, obscenity or perverse or deviant sexual behaviours.
This principle, and the next, also outlaws any tattooing or body piercing that is done to get attention or personal glory. We are not supposed to be the centre of attention, God is.
It also outlaws any tattooing or piercing that is done to gain personal significance among one's peers. We are supposed to derive our significance from God, and to point others to him as the One of central significance.
If tattooing and piercing are done out of a negative self-image or personal despair or lostness, the person involved needs to learn of his/her God-given identity in Christ.
[2] The principle of glorifying God [1 Corinthians 10:31; Isaiah 43:7b]
We are to seek his glory, not ours. He created us to image and glorify him, not to create our own glory by the flamboyance of our appearance [1 Tim 2:9,10].
On the other hand, it is possible to use Christian symbols or words as tattoos as a means by which they can glorify God, when people ask them the meaning of the symbol or why they are wearing that particular tattoo.
Even here, though, we need to remember that what we feel okay with at one stage of our life, say, when we are twenty, we may not feel so okay with when we are thirty-five. We may find ourselves wishing we did not have that permanent tattoo as a reminder of our youthful enthusiasms. It is painful and costly to have tattoos removed. It is sometimes embarrassing in later life to find not only that one no longer really wants them, but also that because of a changed body shape they are no longer good to look at.
[3] The principle of loving our neighbour as ourselves.
This principle takes into account the fact that tattoos and piercing other than simple ear piercing are highly offensive to some people. Included in this perspective is the biblical standard that the only offence we should give is the offensiveness of the message about Christ and his cross.
We should strive not to offend people by our actions, or cause them to sin by our actions [Acts 24:26 - where the Greek text speaks of 'offence'; Romans 14:20; 1 Corinthians 10:32 - Greek text has 'give none offence'; 2 Corinthians 6:3 - Greek - 'offence']. With this mentality we will live with the well-being of each other in mind, as Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:21 'submitting to one another' - denying our own so called rights for the sake of our brother's well being.
In relation to this principle read also Romans 14:1-15:7; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 5:13-14; Philippians 2;1-5.
[4] The fact that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit
Christian, individually and corporately, are the holy dwelling place of God [Ephesians 2:22]. We do not belong to ourselves, to do what we like with; we belong to God, purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ [1 Corinthians 6:19], and the temple of his Spirit [1 Corinthians 3:16,17; 6:19]. What we do with our bodies is therefore important to God.
Medical dangers – body piercing:
Medical dangers – tattoos:
Whether the decision is made to get a tattoo or a body piercing or not, there are some attitudes that should be avoided: