Circumcision has long been an important religious rite and cultural practice in many societies. For Jews and Muslims, male circumcision is a required religious practice. For Christians, however, the practice has been more complicated. In the early days of Christianity, circumcision was a contentious issue. But over the centuries, the practice faded in prominence among most Christian denominations. Today, many wonder if Christians can pursue surgical foreskin restoration to “undo” their circumcision.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to some common questions about Christians and circumcision:
- Circumcision was practiced by Jews and some early Jewish-Christians, but not required for Gentile converts to Christianity.
- The Apostle Paul preached that circumcision was unnecessary for salvation in Christ.
- Most Christian denominations do not require circumcision and some discourage it or regard it as irrelevant.
- Some Christians choose to surgically restore their foreskin later in life for personal or religious reasons.
- There are surgical procedures to partially restore the foreskin, but total natural restoration is impossible.
- The ethics of circumcision and foreskin restoration for Christians remains a complex personal issue.
Circumcision in the Bible
In the Old Testament, circumcision was very important for the Israelites as a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17). It marked Jewish male babies as part of God’s chosen people. Circumcision continued to be a critical practice for Jews in New Testament times. Jesus himself was circumcised on the 8th day after his birth, following the Jewish law (Luke 2:21).
For early Jewish followers of Jesus, circumcision continued to be significant. But as more and more Gentile (non-Jewish) converts joined the Jesus movement, questions arose about whether circumcision should be required for them. In Acts 15, the early church held the Council of Jerusalem to decide this issue. They determined that circumcision was not necessary for Gentile believers. The Apostle Paul also repeatedly emphasized that faith in Christ mattered more than circumcision or uncircumcision (1 Corinthians 7:19, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 6:15).
Paul’s Teachings on Circumcision
Paul strongly taught that circumcision was not a requirement for salvation or right standing before God:
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6)
“For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” (Galatians 6:15)
Paul instead emphasized inward renewal over outward religious observances:
“No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.” (Romans 2:29)
Circumcision in Church History and Today
In the early centuries of Christianity, circumcision faded out as a common practice. By the Middle Ages, Christian leaders actively discouraged it as unnecessary for Christians. The Catholic Church in particular condemned the practice. Reformers like Martin Luther continued this opposition to religious circumcision.
Today, circumcision is neither required nor forbidden for Christians. However, a few denominations hold different views:
- Greek Orthodox Church: Circumcises male infants as a matter of tradition.
- Coptic Orthodox Church: Also circumcises for traditional reasons.
- Some denominations with Jewish heritage (Messianics, etc): May circumcise as a cultural identity marker.
- Some Christian movements (e.g. Seventh-day Adventists): Discourage circumcision as an unwarranted religious practice.
Overall though, circumcision has faded to a non-issue for most modern Christians. Baptism rather than circumcision represents the sign of belonging to the Christian community. The choice about circumcision is left up to individual families rather than mandated doctrinally.
Can Christians Choose to Undo Circumcision?
For adult Christians who were circumcised as infants but wish they weren’t, surgical foreskin restoration is an option. The ethics of pursuing this are complex.
The primary techniques for foreskin restoration involve:
- Stretching remaining skin using tension techniques over time.
- Surgical skin grafting to reconstruct the foreskin.
These methods can restore some appearance of a foreskin and increase sensitivity. However, full natural foreskin with its special nerve endings cannot be replicated. The resulting “foreskin” also lacks the natural lubricating abilities and protective functions.
Some Christians view foreskin restoration as a way to return to God’s original design for their bodies. Others get the surgery for emotional healing or improved sexual functioning. However, some ethical and theological questions arise:
- Is this tampering immorally with one’s body?
- Does this reject family heritage and customs?
- Is this disrespectful to accept one’s body as God created it?
- Does this fail to acknowledge God’s grace to accept our imperfections?
There are good arguments on both sides. In the end, discernment for each individual Christian is likely needed about whether foreskin restoration aligns with their faith and values.
Statistics on Circumcision and Foreskin Restoration
Here are some statistics on circumcision and foreskin restoration today:
| Country | Infant Circumcision Rate | Estimated Foreskin Restorations |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 76% | 100,000 – 150,000 |
| Canada | 32% | 25,000 – 50,000 |
| Australia | 13% | 15,000 – 30,000 |
| United Kingdom | 9% | 50,000 – 100,000 |
This data shows that foreskin restoration is pursued by a relatively small minority of men in developed Western nations. The United States has a high circumcision rate for a secular country, hence a significant number pursuing restoration. Overall, hundreds of thousands globally have sought surgical foreskin restoration.
Conclusion
While nearly universal among Jews and common among Muslims, routine circumcision has gradually faded away among Christians. Though debated in the early church, circumcision has not been required for Christians for almost two thousand years. Today, adult Christian men may choose surgical foreskin restoration procedures to undo their circumcision, but this remains an uncommon choice. There are reasonable ethical arguments on both sides of this issue, so individual discernment is needed. In the end, Christians are called to focus on inward faith and God’s grace, not outward status.