Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo has once again defended tattoos, arguing that there is no biblical scripture that explicitly declares tattooing a sin.
Speaking on TVC Entertainment, Okonkwo said tattoos have long been part of human culture, including in Nigeria, where he recalled seeing older people in Lagos with tattoos.
“It has always been part of human culture, not even just Nigeria. Everywhere in the world, there are tribal marks. There are different marks,” he said.
Referencing Isaiah 49:16, where God says, “I have inscribed you on my hands,” Okonkwo said the imagery would have been relatable to the culture of the time.
“Even God used an example because the culture could relate with people putting tattoos to remember. So He was saying, look, I have also tattooed you. That means I can never forget you,” he said.
He also referenced the Book of Revelation, saying Christ was described as having a name written on His thigh.
Addressing Leviticus 19:28, which is often cited in discussions about tattoos, Okonkwo argued that the passage refers to inscriptions made for the dead rather than tattoos generally.
“What it says is that don’t do inscriptions to the dead. It has nothing to do with tattoos,” he said.
The pastor also compared tattooing with microblading, arguing that both involve marking the skin.
“Women do microblading. It’s okay. Then tattoo is wrong. Microblading is a form of tattoo.”
Okonkwo further argued that Christians today enjoy freedoms that previous generations had to fight for, citing issues including women wearing trousers, makeup, perfumes and the use of television.
He concluded that cultural practices should not automatically be treated as incompatible with Christianity.
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