Celebrated Nigerian Relationship Counsellor and Preacher, Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo has defended tattoos, pointing to biblical passages and arguing that having a tattoo is not a sin.
For many Christians, a Pastor getting a tattoo is enough to spark a debate. Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo has now weighed into the conversation, arguing that having a tattoo does not make someone a sinner.
The pastor’s comments come months after he caused a stir by revealing a tattoo on his arm. The tattoo, unveiled around his 50th birthday, carries John 3:16 in Roman numerals — “III:XVI”. He later said he was willing to get more tattoos despite the criticism.
In an interview with TVC, he said tattoos have been part of human culture for centuries and are not something unique to modern society.
“It has always been part of human culture, not even just Nigeria. Everywhere in the world, there are tribal marks; there are different marks.”
Okonkwo, who is also the founder of the David Christian Centre, also pointed to the Bible to support his argument.
He referred to Isaiah 49:16, where God says, “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Okonkwo said the imagery shows that people in biblical times understood the idea of permanent marks being used to remember someone.
He also mentioned Revelation 19:16, which describes the name “King of kings and Lord of lords” written on Christ’s robe and thigh.
