The subject of interracial marriage is one of the most divisive and often asked questions in Christian Apologetics. It is so important with issues like this to look at what the Bible says about it, not what people say they believe based on their opinions. So what does the Bible say about marrying someone from another race or color?
Believers And Unbelievers
As you can see in the following Scriptures, the Bible prohibits believers from marrying unbelievers, but never does it prohibit interracial marriage. It’s clear when the Bible referred to not marrying someone from other nations, it was due to the foreigner’s false gods, idol worship, and being unbelievers in the one true God. Marrying people who worshiped false gods caused many of God’s people to turn away from him. Because of this, God prohibited these kinds of marriages. It had nothing to do with skin color.
(Deuteronomy 7:3-4) Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods
(1 Kings 11:1-2) King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter – Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.”
(2 Corinthians 6:14-16) Do not be yoked together with unbelievers… What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?
The Tower Of Babel And Interracial Marriage
(Genesis 11:4-8) Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches the to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the earth.”The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.
In (Genesis Ch 9), God’s command was to multiply and fill the earth. Two chapters later the people decided to do just the opposite at the Tower of Babel. It was their stated goal to not be scattered over the earth. Because of their disobedience to God, he separated them by confusing their language. This caused them to be scattered over all the earth as God had originally commanded.
Some who are against interracial marriage use the Tower of Babel for their reasoning. They believe after the Tower of Babel God’s intentions were to keep people separated based on race. The confusing of the people’s language had to do with their unwillingness to obey God and fill the earth, so he forced them to do so. Using this situation to say God is against interracial marriage is simply implying something that isn’t there.
There are some who sincerely believe it was God’s intention to have the human race remain separate after the Tower of Babel. These people are not necessarily racist at heart. Other people attempt to stretch various Scriptures in the Bible to fit their own opinions. In either case, the Bible contains nothing in it that prohibits marrying someone from another race.
Interracial Marriage In The Bible
(Numbers 12:1) Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite (Ethiopian) wife, for he had married a Cushite.
One has to look no further than Moses and his wife to find an example of interracial marriage in the Bible. We read in Numbers where God actually strikes Aaron’s wife Miriam with leprosy for her role in speaking against Moses and his Ethiopian spouse. There certainly didn’t seem to be a problem with Moses having a wife from another race.
Potential Problems
It is often argued that interracial marriage should not happen because of the prejudice and problems that will come from others who won’t approve of the couple, and potential problems their children will face. People who have beliefs that are not biblical should not prevent an interracial marriage from happening any more than it should stop someone from becoming a Christian because they are afraid they will be made fun of.
Reexamine What You Believe
Because of cultural differences a lot of people will marry within their own race. However, there are times when two Christians who happen to be of a different race will fall in love and want to get married for the right reasons. The biblical test for a marriage being okay is whether both individuals are Christians. It isn’t what color their skin happens to be. Many people have formed ideas and opinions over their lifetimes about subjects such as this one without even realizing the idea is not a biblical one. It is a good practice for all of us to go back and reexamine things we believe from time to time to find out why we believe what we believe as Christians.
Racism
prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior.
synonyms: racial discrimination, racialism, racial prejudice/bigotry, xenophobia, chauvinism, bigotry, bias, intolerance
* ◦ the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.
What does the Bible say about different races of people?
1 Corinthians 12:13 KJVS
[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galatians 3:28 KJVS
[28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Romans 10:12 KJVS
[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Colossians 3:11 KJVS
[11] Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Here we see four different Races of people being pointed out and yet the Bible says that they are ALL the same! Even the BARBARIC and SAVAGE people we meant to be seen as the same and no difference
So that means that we cannot see people different by their race, but what exactly does the Bible say about how we are supposed to treat and interact with people of other races?
Exodus 22:21 KJVS
[21] Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Leviticus 19:33-34 KJVS
[33] And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. [34] But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
So what about showing favoritism?
1 Timothy 5:21 KJVS
[21] I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Colossians 3:25 KJVS
[25] But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
James 2:9 KJVS
[9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
James 2:1 KJVS
[1] My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
John 7:24 KJVS
[24] Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Proverbs 24:23 KJVS
[23] These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Romans 2:11 KJVS
[11] For there is no respect of persons with God.
Philippians 2:3-4 KJVS
[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
James 2:9 KJVS
[9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
2 Chronicles 19:7 KJVS
[7] Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it : for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
We are supposed to look at every one we encounter as an equal, this is the way that God intended for it to be, if we look down on or even up too anyone because of their race or their characteristics, or their position in life, then we are not in obedience to God and his word.
Does God see us as individual races of people? Or how does he perceive the people of this world?
Genesis 1:26-27 KJVS
[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Acts 17:26-27 KJVS
[26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
Revelation 14:6 KJVS
[6] And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Revelation 7:9 KJVS
[9] After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
(Even in heaven there shall be a multitude of mixed races and nations and yet we will be all worshipping God in the same degree. )
Acts 10:34-36 KJVS
[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: [35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. [36] The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
So how does God say we should act towards one another or treat one another regardless of race or origin or characteristics?
John 13:34 KJVS
[34] A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Colossians 3:13 KJVS
[13] Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Ephesians 4:32 KJVS
[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
John 7:24 KJVS
[24] Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Philippians 2:3-4 KJVS
[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
James 2:8-9 KJVS
[8] If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: [9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Mark 12:31 KJVS
[31] And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
So it’s obvious that God would have us love, trust, forgive and uplift one another even considering others above ourselves and if we do not do this then we are not obeying Gods word, we cannot be in line with God with ANY form of RACISM in our hearts.
So what about judging people?
1 Samuel 16:7 KJVS
[7] But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
(God only sees a mans heart not his outward characteristic)
James 2:4 KJVS
[4] Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
(When u judge someone it is only the bad things witch you are seeing)
John 7:24 KJVS
[24] Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
(It is not right to judge someone by their looks or skin color or outward appearance)
Proverbs 24:23 KJVS
[23] These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
(We must be more like God and only judge a person by their heart and their integrity)
2 Chronicles 19:6-7 KJVS
[6] And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. [7] Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it : for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
1 John 2:10-11 KJVS
[10] He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. [11] But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
I want to make a strong point for this verse…..if you have hate or discrimination against someone you are literally in darkness and keeping the lights off for yourself, you refuse to be in the light because of the unnecessary hatred in your heart and therefore you don’t even realize what a grave mistake you are making because you have chosen to be lost in darkness because of your hatred…..I wonder how many people are living with the sin of hate in their heart but don’t even realize it because their hate has blinded them…….
Statistics:
64% of Americans say racism is still a current and active problem in America today
However it should not and will not be a problem in the church!