What the Bible Says About Interracial Relationships
Interracial marriage is on the rise in the United States, with approximately 11 million people in interracial marriages. According to Pew Research Center , "In 2015, 17% of all U.S. newlyweds had a spouse of a different race or ethnicity, marking more than a fivefold increase since 1967, when 3% of newlyweds were intermarried." Pew Research Study also found that attitudes toward interracial marriages have changed significantly, and there is a steep decline of those in opposition to interracial marriages. In 1967, the landmark Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case ended state laws banning interracial marriage in the United States. While this was a huge win for interracial couples, many people were still opposed. Sadly, some of the pushback came from Christians and Christian institutions. As a result, there is some confusion over what the Bible says about interracial marriage. Hopefully, we can end this confusion by looking at Scripture and discussing this topic. There are verses in the Old Testament instructing the Israelites not to intermarry with people from other nations. Here is the passage: "When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— and when the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy. 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, and the Lord's anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you." Unfortunately, some use this passage to justify their opposition to interracial marriage. In these cases, they are not considering the passage in its full context or its entire meaning. This decree was not based on race or skin color. Instead, it is all about religion. The entire reason God tells the Israelites not to "intermarry" with these nations is described in verse 4, "they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods." In other words, Deuteronomy 7 is an Old Testament law reiterated in the New Testament when the apostle Paul tells Jesus followers not to be unequally yoked. "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" – 2 Corinthians 6:14 In the New Testament, believers are told they should not be unequally yoked with non-believers. Let's start by explaining a yoke. A yoke is a wooden bar that joins two oxen. If the oxen are unequally yoked, it means one may be strong and the other weak. When this happens, the oxen work against one another and will find it difficult or impossible to complete the job. In this verse, the apostle Paul is telling believers if they marry a nonbeliever, it will pull the believer away from God, and he or she will struggle with fulfilling their calling to follow Jesus. Therefore, the Bible clearly says you should not marry someone with a different faith. Here's the final answer - the Bible does not say interracial marriage is wrong, and those who suggest it have misinterpreted Scripture. That being said, anyone (especially a Christian) who suggests interracial marriage is wrong needs to check their heart for any hold racism may have on it. Racism is sinful and evil, down to the very core. It is ignorant, judgmental hatred, and it grieves God's heart. No human deserves any suffering due to the color of their skin. Racism and hatred are not of God. God is love, and racism is not. We are all sons and daughters of the King and made in God's image. When it comes to Christian marriages, the priority is the couple's shared faith in Jesus Christ. As Got Questions explains, "Faith in Christ, not skin color, is the biblical standard for choosing a spouse." While there is much less opposition to interracial marriage today, it is important to recognize that there still are some people who do not support interracial couples. Those entering interracial relationships should be aware of the opposition and discrimination they may face. But, strong Christian unions between members of different races can be a beautiful testimony to those who oppose it. And … what God joins together, let no man separate! Here is one testimony from a white woman ( Kate Motaung ) who is married to a South African pastor: "For my husband and I, our commitment to Christ is the one component that makes our cross-cultural relationship possible. […] If both parties are committed Christians and have built their foundation on the rock of Jesus Christ and His Word, then even when the storms of life arise, their home will stand firm. This is true for all couples, whether mixed race or not. It is in homes where the Word of God is not upheld and put into practice that the real danger is found." As this interracial couple lives and serves God together, they are spreading God's love, not hate – even to those who may oppose their union. If you are suffering or facing any type of injustice, get help with a Biblical Counselor at South Bay Bible Church.
What Does the Bible Say About Interracial Marriage?
The Old Testament Reasoning
– Deuteronomy 7:1-4
Do Not Be Unequally Yoked
No Place for Racism in Christianity
A Powerful Testimony
What the Bible Says About Interracial Relationships
Source: https://www.southbaychurchli.org/life-purpose-hope-blog/what-does-the-bible-say-about-interracial-marriage