Is there Biblical precedence........

[HappyChristian]

Thanks, trc...didn't know my posts were insane!

Good thoughts, SG!

As to the scripture quoted at the beginning: The reason I mentioned that is simply that it is really the only one dealing with men getting pierced ears, and the question was asked about scriptural precedence.

You know, Christ wants us to be different. Period. We are called a peculiar people. That doesn't mean weird, that means that we are separated to a particular ideology, or in our case, Person. Differences are to be shown to the world - hence the verses that deal with not conforming to the world, but being transformed. Yes, that transformation takes place on the inside, but it also takes place on the outside.

Christianity today is very quick in embracing things that the world does: in the hopes that whatever it is will help in the witness. But it doesn't, not really.

It's interesting to note 1 Peter 3 - that passage is talking to women about winning their lost husbands. Peter, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, goes into what the women are doing externally to win them. They were counselled not to follow the fads of hairstyles (elaborate knots in the hair, causing the hair to pile higher and higher on the head), not to cover themselves with jewelry, not to wear the apparel (outer wear) that was gaudy, immodest, etc., that unsaved women wore. He was instructing them that their lifestyle would win their husbands whereas their outer donning of worldliness would not.

Now, many would say - see there! It's the heart that matters. And, oh yes it is!!! God looks on the heart. And so we stop there and proclaim that anyone who looks at anything else is legalistic or noncompassionate. But that verse in Samuel doesn't stop at God looking on th heart. It goes on to say that man looks on the outward appearance. Right, wrong or otherwise, we do. And because of that, Christians need to take care that they do not resemble the world. In Peter, the women were being warned that appearing to be like the world would NOT help their case!

I couldn't care less about American culture or culture from any other country. The Bible teaches us not to adapt ourselves to the world. Period.

If we aren't careful, we can justify anything and say that it's okay because I use it as a chance to witness.

pt - the linen and wool prohibition was to teach separation. The NT doesn't go to that extreme, but God does teach separation all through Scripture. You might want to look into the different types of law in the OT. You might be surprised what you find.

Whether we like it or not, whether we agree or not, God does not want us looking or acting like the world. Whatever culture we are in (culture is not an acceptable excuse...).

BTW - I know a lot of missionaries around the world. And the interesting thing is that, no matter the culture, when someone gets saved, their external appearance changes. Women who are used to wearing next to nothing begin to put on clothes, men who have multiple wives begin to change that, etc. Salvation brings change everywhere, no matter the culture.

I have friends who were in Africa for many years. The women with whom they were working actually usually wore modest dresses. My friends knew of a missionary family whose daughter wore shorts. But hey, God looks on the heart, right? And American culture says it's okay for Christian girls to wear shorts. So that's alright, then, right? (sarcasm)

[LindaR]

I agree with LuAnne and Crush. There is no biblical grounds for this but there are biblical grounds against it. One being the feminine look factor, another being that men wearing earrings has been used as a sign of rebellion; think pirates and outlaw bikers as two examples. Also, it wasn't that many years ago when homosexual men wore an earring to identify themselves as homosexual. This all also falls into the area of "appearance of evil" too.

I agree too. I think a man with earrings is effeminate. We show our submission to the Lord in our actions, not by wearing cross earrings. I also remember when a man wearing earrings meant he was a homosexual.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

Exodus 21:2-6 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

Who pierced the man's ear? Was it Jesus? or was it a jeweler? In the Bible, it was the master who pierced the ear, not anyone else.

Where were the judges that the man was brought to to determine his love for his master?

Was the piercing truly according to the Biblical account of a servant being pierced because of his love for his master? Doesn't look like it.

[trc123]

Okay, I'll start the list of things that I believe Jesus would think are worldly (because they are associated with sin and the way the world does things):

The Internet

[HappyChristian]

Okay, I'll start the list of things that I believe Jesus would think are worldly (because they are associated with sin and the way the world does things):

The Internet

Oh, sigh....here we go...

[Standing Firm In Christ]

TRC,

The way you are arguing against the plain facts in Scripture, one would think it is you who pierced his ear and not your friend.

But the fact remains, Scripture clearly tells who was to be pierced (the servant), for what reason they were to be pierced (his choice to remain with his master because of love), who was to determine if piercing was to be done (the judges, not the servant) and who was to do the piercing (the master).

According to the Word of God, we are not our own for we have been bought with a price. Now, your task is simple... show us where Jesus said we can get our ears pierced. Since we belong to Him, as both our Master and Judge, He must be the one to determine whether we have our ears, nose, eyebrow, or any other body part pierced.

So where in the Word of God does He give that permission?

[Standing Firm In Christ]

Never mind what culture does, what does the Word of God say? Just because the world does one thing does not mean that thing is right. God set forth a path for those who belong to Him to walk... no matter how much different that walk if from other's.

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Where in the Word of God was the piercing of one's ear acceptable in God's eyes other than for that man's love for his master? And where in God's Word did God state a man or woman get their ear pierced by anyone other than his or her master?

What does God's Word say? Could piercing fall under the category of defiling the body if it is not the Master Himself doing the piercing?

1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Is piercing defiling the temple of God?

We find only two instances in the Old Testament where God allowed piercing, and both were done by the master and not the servant or joe blow down at the market. Where in God's Word has this changed?

Are we to follow culture? or God?

[JerryNumbers]

Do you look at someone that wears clothing made of linen and wool in the same light as you do someone with a tattoo?

Go do a study, and you will find that the clothing issue was nailed to the cross and was for teaching Israel, but the tattoo falls under moral laws, and they are still in effect.

So try again.

[JerryNumbers]

Never mind what culture does, what does the Word of God say? Just because the world does one thing does not mean that thing is right. God set forth a path for those who belong to Him to walk... no matter how much different that walk if from other's.

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Where in the Word of God was the piercing of one's ear acceptable in God's eyes other than for that man's love for his master? And where in God's Word did God state a man or woman get their ear pierced by anyone other than his or her master?

What does God's Word say? Could piercing fall under the category of defiling the body if it is not the Master Himself doing the piercing?

1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Is piercing defiling the temple of God?

We find only two instances in the Old Testament where God allowed piercing, and both were done by the master and not the servant or joe blow down at the market. Where in God's Word has this changed?

Are we to follow culture? or God?

Many take liberties where there is no liberty.

[ptwild]

Go do a study, and you will find that the clothing issue was nailed to the cross and was for teaching Israel, but the tattoo falls under moral laws, and they are still in effect.

So try again.

There you go again with your "gotcha" comments. Child. No study is needed. The verse I referred to is only a few behind the one you quoted. The meaning is plain and simple and the scripture does not divide the two in to different categories.

[JerryNumbers]

No I'm not trying to say I gotcha, just trying to point you in the right direction. Its you choice if you take it or not.

Le

[ptwild]

No I'm not trying to say I gotcha, just trying to point you in the right direction. Its you choice if you take it or not.

Le

[John81]

Unfortunatly, there are some who just want to argue. Rather than accepting the whole Word of God, they prefer to attempt to reason around the Word, to set up straw men arguments, to raise the red herring.

Scripture tells us our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and we are to treat our bodies as such. Scripture says we are not to mark our bodies with cuttings, tattoos and such. Scripture says we are to avoid the appearance of evil. Scripture says if we are followers of Christ others will be able to tell this by what flows from our hearts. Scripture says we are to let our light shine before men. Scripture says we are to seek the kingdom of God, not worldly things. Scripture says we are to submit to Christ and cast off our old self. Scriptrue says we are to subject our will to the will of God.

Most of us here live in America and even with the liberal, worldy culture of America today, earrings on men still hold a negative aspect to much of the population.

We as Christians should be busy trying to stay as far away from temptation, sin, evil and the appearance of such rather than trying to sift from the Bible just how close we can get to these things and still feel we are okay.

[Pastor Matt]

Thread is starting to get to the "debate' point.