Interracial Marriage
May 2nd, 2007
What Is Grace Church’s View on Interracial Marriage?
Here’s the short answer: nothing in the New Testament prohibits interracial marriage. Christians are at liberty to marry whomever they wish—as long as the other person is also a Christian (1 Corinthians 7:39).
We should realize from the start that there is only one human race. Scripture clearly says we all descended from Adam and Eve (cf. Gen 1-2; Matthew 19:4; Romans 5:12; 1 Cor 15:22). And one important passage says that God made of one blood all nations (Acts 17:26).
It is true that the Old Testament contained some restrictions on whom the Israelites could marry. These were meant to protect the people of God from pagan influences (Deut. 7:3-4) and to guard the purity of the Aaronic priesthood (Lev. 21:13-14). There were even some strict regulations about inter-tribal marriage, designed to keep the various tribes’ inheritance from being lost by intermarriage (Num. 36:3-9). However, all such restrictions are explicitly annulled by the New Testament (Gal. 3:27-29).
We believe that the potential for all the different features we humans have (skin, eye, and hair color, etc.) was present in Adam and Eve. Modern science has demonstrated that the genetic combinations to produce every shade of skin color, for example, could be present in one male and one female.
Scripture clearly reveals two major events since Creation that affected human genetics. The first event was the flood. Noah and his family were the only survivors of the antediluvian era, all others died in the flood, taking their genetic traits with them. So many features of the human race were cut off forever at the flood, while others were carried by the eight who survived in either homozygous dominant, homozygous recessive, heterozygous (i.e., mixed dominate/recessive) gene combinations.
Only four of the people on the ark (the women) had distinct genetic makeups that were separate from Noah’s (since his three sons would have shared the genetics of him and his wife). So of all the genetic possibilities initially present in Adam and Eve, the post-flood human race was rebuilt with only five separate gene “pools.” Scripture doesn’t tell us what these eight people looked like, but it is certain that every feature humans have today was brought into the world by them.
The second major event to influence mankind was the dispersion at the tower of Babel (cf. Genesis 11). After God judged the people with different languages, they grouped together by those languages and spread over the globe. As they spread out, they brought with them their own genetic features. We believe that this scattering of people, with the subsequent isolation of gene pools, is the reason why we see distinct traits and characteristics in certain people groups, and not in others.
Sadly, American society (even in some Christian circles) has historically looked narrowly on interracial marriages — but for cultural reasons, not biblical ones. In some places, such negative stereotypes still exist. Based on where people live, they or their children may face prejudice and even persecution from others. Such prejudice is absolutely wrong, and deserves our condemnation. Nonetheless, it is something that people should consider before seriously pursuing a romantic relationship.
The New Testament strongly emphasizes the unity of the human race (all are sinners; all are in need of salvation; God is not the respecter of any person; all are saved through faith in Christ; all are one in Jesus Christ). Colossians 3:11 clearly says that salvation puts off the old barriers that separated people — we now have “A renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.” In Christ all previous religious, cultural, and social barriers are destroyed.
The primary marriage restriction given in the New Testament is that a believer should only marry another believer (cf. 1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14). So we believe that the most important issue in dating/courtship is to be fully convinced that the prospective partner is a true Christian who loves God (Mark 12:30).
If this is true, then other issues such as cultural or ethnic background, “personality type,” physical appearance, and family upbringing are only a distant second. If a man and woman are totally committed to living for Christ, then they will have the capability through the power of the Holy Spirit to resolve any difficulties that might arise from differences in those other areas.
I cannot believe there hasn’t been one comment. As you stated the Bible has made it clear that we are really one race. Thanks for coming up with a subject that has left all without a comment.
Excellent article. We should be biblical conservatives and that is not always the same as being a social or political conservative. The answer to the sin of racism was in the Bible thousands of years before the civil rights movement.
Several years ago I talked to a racially challenged pastor and said to him that when you are willing for a African-American good Christian man to date your white daughter and to have Thanksgiving dinner together, looking at each other across from the table, then you are ready to deal with the issue.
He countenance fell. Thank you, for this appeal and reminder. We need it. American is still racially challenged and our churches are not confrontational enough and are not settting proper examples.
We continue to see churches that do not encourage racial diversity and have such reflected in leadership: whether black or white churches. We must repent. I am glad and encourage that Grace church is setting an example.
I really appreciate this post. I live in an area where preachers still teach that mixing of the races is sin. This is an excellent defense against ignorance.
I am so sad to see the lack of good biblical discernment about this issue. Most people are afraid to talk about this subject for fear of not being politically correct or what others may say. Can I remind you that none of us would be who we are unless the previous generation preserved their racial integrity. I as a Pastor could not marry any individuals who were not of the same racial back ground. Some would label anyone who would challenge the current stand on this issue as perhaps racist, bigoted, or even a terrorist, but a good study of our history and the early founding father’s views might be in order. Much more could be said biblically if it would only be taught from the pulpits in America.Thanks for hearing another side to this issue. You certainly are welcome to include my address in this response at your discretion.
Where is any Biblical evidence that should be preached in our pulpits? I was under the impression we are to preach the word, not studies of “our history and the early founding father’s views.”
I also find it amusing that people who feel that there should be no intermarriage between the races have no problem being a Gentile married to someone from the Jewish race- namely Jesus Christ!
I cannot believe you feel race trumps the fact that two blood bought, Bible believing, Children of God are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together.
It’s not racist, nor bigoted, but lacking seriously in any Biblical foundation.
Can I remind you that none of us would be who we are unless the previous generation preserved their racial integrity.
As Popeye said, “I yam what I yam.”
And if the previous generation didn’t? I would still be what I would be.
In my case, I’m thankful that they didn’t. I’m half Irish, a quarter Italian, and a quarter Mexican – which is largely a mixture of Spaniard and Aztec. My wife is Brazilian, which is mostly a mix of Portuguese, African, and Amerindian.
Which makes our son… just about the cutest kid in the whole world. We’ve named him Nathanael: “Given by God”
Pastor Salmonson,
What an incredibly ignorant racist thing to say. I am amazed you are a pastor. The Word of God is the arbiter between what we prefer and what we feel. I disagree with Mr. Ellis when he says it’s not racist, nor bigoted; Sir it is those things and more. It is a sin! It separates and divides the Body of Christ. The tragic thing is that there are probably more of you that feel the same way. May the Lord be merciful to and rebuke you because of your rank disobedience to His Word!
Don,
My wife is Mexican and I am from the South, a southern boy. I praise God for her. Praise God my family’s racisit views largely changed when we got married. To use your terminology, it would be my prayer that you would gain biblical discernment by diving nose first into the Scriptures and not revert to history and the opinions of founding fathers who may or may not have been believers. The Scriptures alone are our authority for what we preach from the pulpit.
I find nothing in the Scriptures that says we should even be concerned about our “racial integrity,” much less try to preserve it. The Scriptures are clear that we came from two people; not differents sets of two white people, two black people, two asian people, two hispanic people, and etc., etc. Glory to the All-wise God!
If we can’t support something from Scripture, it is best to remain silent.
What exactly then is preaching the Word? If dealing with the injustice of racism and other forms of oppression isn’t, I don’t know what is?
Jesus preached the Word and he addressed some of the social issues of his day. The apostles did the same. To me that is all part of preaching the Word.
A person must move from text to theology to text and then to application. If the preached-word doesn’t deal with social problems then it is not much of good news.
TC: I agree. Teaching that the Bible is against interracial marriage is not only racist, it is wrong.
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your comments, they have blessed my heart. The scriptures are truely the only authority that govern all aspects of our lives and ethics; not popular opinion, history or personal preferences.
I myself an Indian, and my wife is American. And we have the most beautiful daughter in the world. Our marriage exists not only because we love each other but also to demonstrate the relationship between Christ and the Church (which is certainly not a single race). My friends, none of us are deserving, yet it’s GRACE that makes it possible. Not only for our marriages, but also for the church!
“Much more could be said biblically if it would only be taught from the pulpits in America.”
Dear Pastor Salmonson,
I am curious with this statement. What is the “more [that] could be said biblically” in regard to this matter?
As I see it, the only Scriptural references dealing with “purity” of a race are those dealing with the Jewish nation. Are you intending to impose commands meant strictly for the nation of Israel before the New Covenant upon thos living in the Church age? If so, then you must also follow the dietary laws found throughout the book of Leviticus. You must also know where I can buy a cheap lamb because you must be sacrificing daily as well.
Genesis 1 – God made man (not black man, Asian man or white man) in His image.
Galatians – There is no slave nor free, jew nor greek.
Ruffin: Sorry, when I looked at this this morning, your comments didn’t show up. The point I poorly tried to make was that the racism and bigotry are minor when compared that there is no Biblical foundation for such a view. Sorry about that.
To the blog host. Has my second response been censored? It appears to me by one of the comments made by others that some have been allowed to read it, but it is not posted. Is this correct? Please forgive me if this is not the case. I completely respect your right to censor your blog. If this is the case, don’t you think a simple response/notice to me(privately) would be in order? As usual when discussing this issue some become offended, which surely was not my intent.People often times read into comments made more than what is really said. I made no attacks at anyone who might disagree with me. I simply stated my position. This issue (intermarriage racial )and the blog responses I truly thought was to promote healthy Christian interaction. Apprently this is only true if one agrees with the stated position.Again please forgive me if this is not the case. Don Salmonson
Interracial marriage is biblical. The Bible says; …..I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. (Acts 10:34-35). As long as both of them believe Jesus Christ as their Lord go for it.
In Christ we are all one.
I am the happy mother of a white daughter, the happy mother-in-law of an African-American son-in-law, and the really really happy grandma of an adorable biracial infant grandson. It is the false teaching of those who claim interracial marriage is wrong that has kept my unsaved parents from accepting my son-in-law into their home, although they do invite my daughter and baby to visit.
To those “pastors” who preach such heresy, please repent before you have to explain to God Himself in person why you caused so many to stumble in this manner.He will be your judge, not I.
I am so thankful to have a church family that does NOT ascribe to such nonsense and that provides a loving family environment for my daughter and her family and others like them.
I would love to see any Biblical justification for keeping the races separate. Mr. Salmonson, please post some scriptural reference so that I might better understand where you are coming from.
Pastor Don Salmonson,
We have not censored any of your comments. If you believe a previous comment was lost, we do apologize and would ask that you please repost it.
We do moderate first-time commenters to avoid spammers. We also have a filter that blocks some comments with certain inappropriate words in them. But our policy is to fairly allow all comments to be posted, provided they are courteous in tone and in keeping with the topic being discussed.
“Pastor” Don:
There is a difference between worshiping God versus worshiping your culture. One moves mountains the other does not. One will hear well done good and faithful servant and other one will not.
Excellent post.
I very much appreciate it.
Sherri
Racism is a sin. Prejudice is a sin. There are only two types of people in this world, the childern of God and the children of the devil. It is wrong to promote same background marriages simply because of some preference. The only criteria the Bible mandates is that the partner be a true Christian. If one imposes anymore than that than that individual has gone beyond the revealed Word of God and is in danger of claiming to speak for God when they are clearly not. I like John Piper’s stance on this. If anything interaccial marriage between believers is a great testimony to the world. The world has tried desperatley to get rid of racism. The world only needs to look at the church to see unity within diveristy. And this can only take place because we have one Lord and one Father, Jesus Christ.
I wish to inject another commandment into the mix of this discussion:
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Deut 5:16 NKJV
I have been reminded of this in counseling young people who wish to date someone whom their parents disapprove of… sometimes that disapproval may be rooted in their parents’ racial (racist?) bias, or more charitably, in their view of society’s treatment of interracial couples. Nevertheless, should a young person date, court, or marry a person of another racial, ethnic, or national background when their parents absolutely oppose it? As certainly as we know that they should not oppose a relationship due to their own racism, we must also recognize that speaks to us through our (even unfaithful or unbelieving) parents.
My father told me of when, on a cattle-buying trip in western Canada, he was asked by a ranchers’ wife if it was true that “you folks in Oklahoma have a lot of trouble with intermarriage between the whites and the Indians?” He replied, “I don’t think so, ma’am, but then again, I am 1/4 Cherokee.”
Societal values change over time, and vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. I think that it is difficult to make pronouncements on the way things ought to be. Although we have God’s unchanging Word for all mankind, we also have His assurance that it will never be that way here.
I dont believe in interracial marriage, I’m not saying the white race is better then the black , or hispanic race god looked down on it all though the old testament but interracial marriage is the cause of miscegenation.if the whole world was to mix you would no longer have a race of people, no more whites,no more blacks, nothing the only thing you would have is 50/50 walking around ,I dont hate people of other colors they are welcome to eat at my table anyday. but if you feel the need to marry someone of the other race I wish the best for you and your family, just imagine if the bluejays was to start mixing with the cardinals no more true bluejays no more true cardinals, just my opinion acts 17:24-28, genesis 28:1, jeremiah 13:23,numbers 36, lev 21:14, duet 23:2, nehemiah 13:23 ezra chapters 9 / 10.
Thanks for the post. My unmarried daughter is haveing a baby with a person of a different race. This has torn me up inside. I am trying to get over the race issue since I was brought up differently. I am not sure he is a Christian which concerns me more than the race issue. Please pray for her that she will do what is right before God. Please pray for me that I will be able to look beyond the race issue. Please pray for him that if he is not a Christian he will become one.
To: Robert Morley
Your thinking is limited. If you are going to base a whole theological belief on something make sure you can base your argument from non-narrative sources. Thank you for all you scriptural sources, but the writers were just telling us what took place. Furthermore, it was because of the gentiles pagan worship that caused Israel to segregate themselves from other nations and it was not because of their race. If you really do not accept interracial marriage do not do it because you think the Word of God backs up your argument. You stated that it was just your opinion, but you negate that comment by putting Scriptural references right after it. Please take a hermeneutics class, and if you can’t than just read J. Mac’s book, Getting the Most out of God’s Word or Sproul’s, Knowing Scripture.
Once again the only command is that Christians marry in the Lord, everything else is trivial.