CLARITY
A Biblical Response to Current Events – 9-30-20
Stricter Judgment
What’s Happening: “According to an article that appeared in USA Today on the 28th of this month, a French kindergarten teacher was not allowed to teach anymore because a parent of one of his students complained of his child having nightmares about his tattoos. Teaching for 12 years, Sylvain Helaine, 35, said he has had few complaints before and should be judged strictly on his ability to teach. He was removed for two months and restricted from teaching kids under 6, He used to teach in the Docteur Morere Elementary School in Palaiseau. He got the tattoos and had the whites of his eyes dyed black over a three-and-a-half year period (https://www.yahoo.com/news/teacher-says-no-longer-teach-185451497.html). Quoting the article: ‘I think it’s just disgusting,’ he told USA TODAY. ‘They didn’t even try to convince the parent that I was a good teacher and that I had a lot of experience … I felt betrayed by them and I’m a bit sad.’”
Knee-Jerk Response: “It’s just body art; don’t people have freedom to do with their own body what they want?!”
Biblical Response: “Yes (as long as you’re not talking about abortion), but it may not be wise. Apart from make-up and clothing, tattoos are hard to hide (and some of them impossible). We might like to think our bodies are our own, but they’re not (1 Cor. 6:19-20). We’ve been bought with a price. Besides, teachers, as examples, are held to stricter judgment (James 3:1). Some mistakes are more lasting and obvious…like getting tattoos. Maybe that’s why they are strictly and specifically forbidden in Scripture ( Lev. 19:28).”
“Christians? We believe that we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Ps. 139:14). Why improve on the Lord’s intent (as if that were possible)? The Scriptures above substantiate our reasoning.”
Here’s a Prayer You Can Pray: “Heavenly Father, help us to realize repentance does not necessarily eliminate consequence; in Jesus’ Name, amen.
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