Inking Jesus Discusses How Tattoos Can Show A Skin-Deep Love for Christ
by James Coulter
How much do you love Jesus? Do you love the man who died for our sins enough to have his likeness inked onto your skin?
Well, one local pastor has such an affinity for his Lord and Savior. In his book, “Inking Christ: A Theological Approach to Tattoos”, Dr. Justin Scoggins discusses how the art of tattoos can be designed to reflect the love of the Grand Designer.
Dr. Justin Scoggin currently serves through the homeless outreach program at The Mission in Winter Haven. More than simply having a love for Christ and his fellow man, Dr. Scoggins also has a love of art and how it can be used to reflect that “transformative power” of love both “agape” and “phileo.”
Dr. Justin Scoggins considers himself, “a passionate author, artist, and follower of Christ” who “has grown to have a deep love for both scripture and artistic expression.”
Moreover, Dr. Scoggins has, “spent years exploring the intricate connections between faith and art,” with “his journey has led him to appreciate the profound impact of tattoos as a unique form of worship and storytelling.”
Dr. Scoggins recently earned his doctorate through his doctoral dissertation, which he published as his new book, “Inking Jesus.” In his, he discusses how the transformative art of tattoos–which are often overlooked, if not condemned, by other Christians–can reveal and reflect the “transformative power of Christ.”
“It’s about what it means to have a tattoo,” he said. “But not only that, but what it means to have a tattoo for Christ. The idea behind the book is that there is a subset of culture that has tattoos, and that culture has been in some way ostracized by the church until recently tattoos have become more mainstream and accepted in the church world.”
“Now, that does not necessarily mean that these tattoos have any sort of meaning passed what it means for an individual,” he continued. “So, my approach is, if you are going to get a tattoo as a Christian, let’s make it something beautiful, true, and good. Let’s make it something artistic. Let’s make it something aesthetically pleasing. If you will mark your body for Christ, it must be something that points to that truth and goodness in a glorious way. And that is to show the truth of Christ.”
“Inking Jesus” is currently available in paperback and e-book on Amazon. To learn more, visit Dr. Scoggins’s website at: eidochristos.com
Recently, Dr. Scoggins appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss his book. Listen to the full podcast here: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-42-inking-jesus-at-the-olympics-wlorraine-valerino-dr-jus
