Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 December 2002 — Page 12

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13,2002

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

Should Christians have tattoos? And other Bible curiositios

By RICHARD N. OSTUNO Fascinating matters like this AP RoHflM Writer commonly pop up in the Bible Q&A column on the interfaith Have you ever seena Jew with Internet site: www. a tattoo? Perhaps not, since the beliefhet.com, which recently tradition against that practice is emerged from bankruptcy with as strong, though' not as well- a new lease on life. The column’s known, as the one against eat- writer is Ben Witherington III, ing pork. The basis is biblical: an evangelical Protestant author “You shall not make gashes in and New Testament professor your flesh for the dead, or incise at Kentucky’s Asbury Theologiany marks on yourselves: I am cal Seminary, the Lord." (Leviticus 19:28) * On tattoos, Witherington Opinion on tattoos varies in sides with rabbis who said the Talmud. Some rabbinic au- Leviticus condemned marking thorities said die Bible forbade of the flesh only as part of such only tattoos using letters, and pagan rituals as the body-gash-others that the command re- ing by the prophets of Baal in 1 fierred only to body inscriptions Kings 18:28. naming a pagan god. But the Witherington concludes that rabbinic consensus came to for- Leviticus verse “is probably not bid all tattooing. a general prohibition against

tattooing, since that act in antiquity always had specific religious associations.” But he says any tattoo should “avoid an inscription that is inappropriate for a believer to display.” Readers come up with other surprising questions. A sampling: Question: Does the Bible teach that illegitimate children and their descendants will go to hell? Witherington’s answer: “Absolutely no Bible verse anywhere” says that Question: A reader wonders why it is said that Jesus Christ was poor since he had a rich unde, Joseph of Arimathea. Answer: Joseph provided Jesus’ tomb but nothing in the

New Testament suggests they the surrounding polytheism and Question: When the Book of were related. And Jesus wasdefi- immorality. The NewTestament Revelation mentions 144,000 nitely poor. He had nowhere to says nothing against racially people in heaven, is that the exlay his head, and even needed to mixed marriages. act number, as some say? borrow a coin to illustrate his .Question: Do Christians believe A: Revelation is apocalyptic saying on taxes (“render unto in ghosts and can they harm us? literature and the number is

A: Spirits ofthe dead do exist, “clearly symbolic.” It is a mulas we learn when King Saul vis- tiple of 12 (as in the tribes of ited a medium at Endor. But Israel and the apostles of Jesus)

nothing in the Bible” suggests

Caesar”).

Question: A reader asserts

that Jesus was Black.

Answer: The Bible gives no

physical description, but Jesus it’s possible for them to haunt us was a Middle Easterner and nei- or inhabit material space.

ther Black nor white, though he might have had woolly or lightly

curled hair.

Question: Where does the Bible say God opposes racial in-

termarriage?

A: Old Testament prohibi-

that “symbolizes the whole

people of God.”

Question: Why dontthe Bible passages about Egypt mention

the pyramids?

A: Israelites in Egypt lived in

Question: Do Christians be-

lieve in reincarnation?

A: No, the Bible teaches the

unique existence of every hu- northern grain-storage dtman and instead of a series of * es > th® Giza plateau where lives, the believer spends “eter- ^ ffeat pyramids were built

r nal life as the same person.” And ifthe Israelites heanjabout tions on intermarriage were not TTius, “every person has one shot the pyramids they wouldn t have rarial, but religious, protecting - in one lifetime - to sort out been impressed because they “a tiny minority religion” from their relationship with God.” were nomads, not builders.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH NORTH INDIANAPOLIS Pastor and People: “Crowing in the Word-Living in the Victory."

V

Ivan Douglas Hicks Senior Minister Sunday Services 7:30 a.m. Radio Broadcast 9:15 a.m. Church School 10:45 a.m. Praise A Worship 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Wednesday 6:00 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Mid-Week Worship

Listen to WTLC 1310 AM Sunday 0 7:30 am.

880West 28th Street 925-2672 Fax:927-7021 ilcksOaol

.Va i

"Do You Love Jesus? We Do’

SArisle el Senrkw:

1:30AM 11:00AM

WMaHfcy Prayer A BUeStedy 12 Neeaead 7:00PM New Neater Oasi Sea. ArOOPM

TmpkofBdkven Mimanct Center 1913 Prospect 317-638-8783

Sunday School 10:00 A.M.

Sunday Morning Worship Sarvice 11:30 A.M. TUaaday Night BUa Study 7:30 P.M. hdHtywepedmiMgeHin And He shall dinct thy pad Proverb! 3:6

“When WtExnh The Sevier And Edify He Seals’

Second

Biptist Church

3705 Kessler Blvd.

North Dr.

(317)925-0335

Paster BavMW. Grtcne Sr. Sm School MOM

Sun. Mnhp Serna ..&OOMl1t«se WM Me Sidy 7:00pm Allan welcome/ Visitijsatourwainiti: irawstoic.org

St. Luke Baptist Church 5325 E. 30th St 543-9505

Ref. Curtis L Vance Pastor

Sunday Services 8:30 Sunday School 10:00 Morning Worship 3:30 •Afternoon Worship 6:00 •Evening Worship •only when scheduled Wednesday Services 7:00 Prayer Service 8:00 Bible Class

University Community Christian Church 2171 Avondale PI. (Marlin University ChapaQ Indpts., IN 46208 Ph. 328-9566

DR. WILLIE D. ROBINSON Paotor God has caNsd us to a Ministry of Uboradonand IBflanlraaararara We riviOfTBJpO* COME A JOIN US. 8,< M0aj|i. 11:00 a.m.

Cathedral of Praise Westside Church 1030 N. Central Avenue

Elder John L. Merriweather, D.D. Pastor

“Reaching Our Community...A Caring Church" Weekly Order of Services Sandav Sunday School ICMKhin. Morning Worship 11:30a.m. Evening Worship 7:30p.m. Wednesday Noon Prayer 11:00>.m. -12:00 Bible Study 7:30p.m. Church Office: 684-1696

UNIVERSITY UNITED METHODIST The Spiritualty Alive Church 5959 Grandview Dl 317/257-0237 Ownh School 1:55 AJL Momq Word#.. 1005 AJL Tussdiy flight • Idle Study .7:00 PM.

DR. FRANK N. MOORE PASTOR

1301 N. Goodlet 917-8024 Sund# School-9-.30— HorninoWDnNp-llflhni HJLC. Hour Sundoy-fcOOpcw WmL Player My BMP Shidy S-JOmiTAOpm Friendship Christian Academy & Childcare 917-8427 TV Ministry on WNDI-TV Sunday 6:00p.m.

REV. RONALD COVINGTON, SR. PASTOR "Pray and Stay"

FIRST TRINTTV o owM-radai church 5321 East 42nd Street 546-3065 REV JEFF lAOXAZU ORDER OF SERVICES Sunday School 9:30 Sunday Worship 10:45 Wednesday Prayer 3:15 pm 6 7:00 pm .. a neighborhood congregation making the 6ood Newt gf Jtau Chmt red and rekvor.t

Kingsley Terrace Church of Christ 2031 East 30th Street 924-9055 924-1996 Church Day Care SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday Bible School 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship 5:00 p.m. Tues. Mom. Bible Class 10:00 a.m. Wed., Evening Bible Class 7:00 p.m. ‘Transportation Provided’ Daycare Center 2031E. 30th Street 924-1906 924-9055 Fax number - 924-9172 • 'Nursery Available' . 4 " Together Every Member Accomplishes Maturity "

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

CHRISTIAN CHURCH RIFS (31 ( HRIST ESI. 1 866

Now meeting at NORTHVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 8401 Westfield Mad. (enter from 96th Street) Moving to CITY ON A HN1« 4646 Michigan Road in Mid-2003

MIOUMRY FREENMIIIPTBT 2743 N. Sherman Dr. (317) 547-4123

Bishop Robert D. Watts

Sunday School 9:45AM Morning Worshp 11:00AM Afternoon 4:00PM Sunday Night 7:00PM Wed. BUe Study 12nn-1 00PM &6 30PM-7 30PM All Are Welcome

Bell's Clmpol Chwtfcof M IIM2 lari 42nd Mraat (317) 89B-5126 Sunday School 9:30am Morning Worship.. 11 KMarn BUe Study Prayar Moating Wednesday 7:00pm

24 hr Day Care Facility

WstfikWiyiN Chapel Africa Metfcoist Episcopridadi 920 ApfVMa Way Narlli KoAorae, ladhaa 765-452-0221

DK. warn C CARSON Faster SdeduIvvfWonha

Sundoy Korneg Wonhip IOOi.m.1 lIHXi.m. AdukiUM Sunday School *00 em.-10:00 aro. OeUna end hulb Seedey Sdml 10:30 om. Noam's I4le Study Tutsdvy 100 pm KUt Study lutidiy LOO pm iMfladiy *Non Worship A Lund' Tritoflmin |ju0.0|ii* b^a^^M^RiR irvnag ^^SoiroRe KWo Study Thundoy LOO pm.

Come Where The Feast Of The Lord Is Going On’ GREATER SANDERSTEMPLE Church of God in Christ 3516 East 39th Street Indianapolis, IN 46205 317-546-0663

Elder John C Davis, in, Pastor Order of Services

SmdaySdmql 9:45 ui StwhyMraRigawiita 1140 un. YPWW Sunder 540 pjn. Sunthy Evening Service 740 pm. TlnetMyBfcio Study 740 pm. ra-om— m—« era «.t--rTKwy rmwfM nucning 740 p.m.

Temple of Praise Assembly 1100 W. 42nd St, Suite 105 (Intcrchurch Center)

Sunday School 10:00 AM Morning Worship 11:0O AM Bible Study Wednesdays 7:00 PM

Donald L Colder, Pastor 317-873-8630

BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 414 W. Vermont St. 317-634-7002 Church School 9:30am Sunday Worship 11:00am Bible Study Tuesday 6:00pm Wednesday 12Noon

■KR JOHN L. LAMBERT PASTOR •Historic Chuck - New Vision ”

NEWUGHT

Chrietian Ouirdi

CMpfenOfCM

7301 taaiytewa Id.

Sle. 105

(317)873-3194

Nster MkheeL Elelea A laieiaaeal "A New Church Doing A New Thing " ' Sunday Worship 10:00AM Tuesday Bible Study ...6:30PM

An Affliate of Light of the World Christian Church

940 a.m. Church School 1040 un. Worship Servica Prayer MeednglBMe Study Wedneaduyat6:45pjn. and FritMyM140pjn. 5136 N. Michigan RrL 251-2297 lh^MWAii,NBMvdNBrie Nursery Available / Handicap Accessible RSVP This Space Today 924-5143

Charles W Harris, Sr. Pester

SeadaySdieei 9:15AM Sunday Wenhip 10:50AM Wed. KMe Sledy Ihro-IP Wed. I*fe Study.7P-»f Thur. Marriage Oases ..7f-Of Fri. Drug Owes 7P4P

Come Worship With Little People Missionary Baptist Church 2623 Martin Luther

Rev. Neris Willis Order of Service Sunday Schoci. 430 im. Morning Sen4ce.....H40im. PnyvrABUa Study WedneaMy. .730 pun. EvaryonaWalcoma

ffpgptfu jftghtu RgpHft 2201N. Afsenal Ave. 823-1080 SuadoySdmi t:00AM Morning iinhip 11:00AM Mon. Oddrvn'iUit Study LOOM Wrd. KMi Study aid hayw I6g 7:00fM I

Rev. JM TunstiU, Pester

YOUR M> COULD at HERE FOR HONE orormtA non call 924-5143

16a are always welcome to experience t he Trinity Difference el Trinity C.M.I. Chvrcli 2253 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue (317) 935-S37S

Rev. Dr. O’Neal Shyne, Jr^ Pastor Sunday Probe Servica —AdMear Sunday School. 9:13am Sunday Worship 10:45am Wednesday Prayer MeeHnf A Bible Study 7Mpm

924-5143

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