This could be a potentially hot topic depending on what country and the part of the country which you live in. It could also vary greatly depending on which generation you find yourself in. But, all preconceived opinions aside, the question remains, what does the Bible have to say about interracial marriages? Are they wrong? Is it a sin? Would you allow such a couple in your church? On your deacon (or elder) board? Would you as a pastor perform the ceremony?

This is just my opinion, but here are the points that I would ask you to consider.

• From the beginning, there was only one human race. Scripture clearly teaches that we all descended form Adam and Eve (Gen. 1-2; Matt. 19:4; Ro. 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:22, 39). Thus all the potential for all the different features that we as human beings have (skin color, eye color, hair color, body build, ....) was present in Adam and Eve.

• Scripture reveals two major events that affected human genetics. The first was the flood. Noah and his seven companions were the only survivors of the flood. Only four of the people on the ark (the women) had distinct genetic makeups that were separate from Noah's (the three children had a combination of Noah and his wife's genes). 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 other major event to influence mankind was the dispersion at the tower of Babel (Gen. 11). After God judged the people with different languages, they grouped together by those languages and spread over the face of the earth. As these people settled, they brought with them their own genetic features. The initial isolation of each language group and thus the isolation of the special gene "pools," is the reason we see distinct traits and characteristics in certain people groups, and not in others.

• The Bible makes mention of interracial marriages in a couple instances. In Song of Solomon 1:5-6, we see Solomon (Semitic) in a relationship with a black women. God had opportunity to make a statement regarding interracial marriages at this point. He did not. There was no condemnation regarding this point.

• In Numbers 12, we read that Moses married a Cushite woman, a descendant of Ham whose skin was presumably black. So, did Moses make a wrong decision? Moses' siblings, Miriam and Aaron, thought so and spoke against him for the marriage. Again, God had the opportunity, if He felt it was needful to make a statement regarding interracial marriages. Rather, God rebuked Miriam and Aaron and struck Miriam with leprosy. Nowhere do we read of God taking issue with Moses' marriage to this woman. Rather, He defended His servant's reputation.

• In Jud 3:5-7 and Ezra 10:2-3, we find intermarriage being condemned, not on racial grounds but faith grounds. Believers were taking unbelievers as a spouse. We must listen to what the Bible says and what it does not say. In 1 Sam 16:7, we see that God looks on the heart, not the skin.

• 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; and, all are one in Jesus Christ. Col. 3:11 states that salvation puts off the old barriers that separated people. We now have a body of people, "where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: 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 parallels that of the Old Testament. A believer should marry another believer (1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14). Nothing is said of cultural or racial sanctions.

• Certainly, some societies have for years looked narrowly on "mixed" marriages. But this was for cultural reasons, not Biblical reasons. Though this attitude is wrong, the effects of it must still be recognized. Based on where people live, they or their children may face prejudice from others. While that is wrong, it must be considered.

• The primary issue in selecting a spouse should be that you are fully convinced that the prospective partner is a true Christian who loves the Lord (Mark 12:30). If this is true, then the other issues such as "race," personality type, appearance, and background are secondary in importance. 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 those other areas.

Pleasant Thinking,

Dr. Kent Haralson

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