IS IT RIGHT TO UNDERGO plastic surgery if you do like a particular part of
your body.

I cannot think of a passage in the Bible which condems the use of plastic
surgery. In fact, plastic surgery did not exist in the time of the New
Testament! A general principle of the Bible is that we should avoid
making rules in situations in which God has not spoken. I believe this
principle is taught in Colossians 2:16-23 where it says that man-made
rules have no value to create righteousness. Unless you can find a
passage which states a principle which would make plastic surgery clearly
sinful, you would do well to not create a rule about this.

In fact, in some cases, I believe plastic surgery is a wonderful thing.
When a person suffers a disfiguring injury which makes their face or
another part of their body difficult for others to look at, plastic
surgery can save a lot of pain and suffering for those who are able to
undergo plastic surgery. Another example is children who are born with a
cleft palate who are able to live more normal lives when they undergo
plastic surgery.

Now, I assume that you have a different category of surgery in mind. I am
assuming that you have in mind such elective surgeries as face lifts and
tummy tucks, breast enlargements and the like. Such surgeries are not
necessary and are principally intended to help a relatively normal
appearing person improve their looks. For myself, I feel that such
surgery may well be questionable. It costs a lot of money and it is not
necessary. If a disciple of Jesus were to ask me my opinion on such a
surgical procedure, I would base my advice on the individual situation.
Clearly there will be borderline cases, and clearly there will be cases of
rather blatant vanity and poor use of money.

Having said that, I would very strongly caution against a blanket
condemnation of plastic surgery. This would clearly be an example of
creating a rule which is not in the Bible. If you know someone who in
your opinion is showing signs of vanity, you might want to gently give
that person your opinion, but you should be very careful against judging
that person. In such a situation, you might find yourself being the
sinner, rather than the person you are advising, as God warns against
judging one another over matters of opinion. (for example Matthew 7:1-5)

John Oakes

From: j.dominohosting.biz/DDN@dominodeveloper.net on behalf of
bimsebony@yahoo.com
Sent: Mon 9/19/2005 9:37 AM
To: John Oakes
Subject: Question(s) for Evidence for Christianity