Bible Question:
Is Interracial marriage supported in the Bible? I have completed a study tonight after recently wondering if the Bible supports or does not support marriage between two people of a different race (I am referring to a Male/Female marriage of course, since homosexuality and lesbianism is forbidden [Gen. 19:5; Lev. 18:22-23,20:13; Deut. 23:17; Judg. 19:22-24; 1 Kings 14:24,15:12; Rom. 1:24-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-10]. Polygamy is also forbidden [Lev. 18:18; Deut. 17:17; Titus 1:6]). Now you must understand me: I have a great and healthy respect for all people since we are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28). In fact, skin color is the Creator's choice (Jer. 13:23), and a black man named Simon (of Cyrene, which was a city in North Africa) helped Jesus carry His cross (Mark 15:21). I have many friends who are of a different race than I am and that is not the aim or goal of this study. My question is: Does the Bible permit people of different race to intermarry? First of all, there are situations in the Bible that condemn interracial marriage. Isaac sought a wife from his own father's family (Gen. 24:1-4) and so did Jacob (Gen. 27:46-28:2). The Israelites were commanded not to intermarry (Ex. 34:16; Deut. 7:3-4; Ezra 9:1-2,12; Neh. 10:30, 13:23-27; Josh. 23:12-13), but this was mostly on the basis of leading the people astray through foreign gods (Mal. 2:11; Deut. 17:17; 1 Cor. 7:39). However, God did permit the Israelites to marry foreign women in other situations: captives from war (Deut. 21:10-13), and because of a 'shortage' of women (Judges 21:21-23). Timothy, the youthful early church leader, was a half-Jew (Acts 16:1) and Moses's wife Zipporah was an Ethiopian woman (Num. 12:1). The Bible does not clearly state whether or not God's people should marry interracially, but it does say that the partner should be a believer in Christ (1 Cor. 7:39, 2 Cor. 6:14). It is interesting to note that all nations and people are important to God (Amos 9:7) and having black skin is beautiful (Song Of Solomon 1:5-6). Jesus usurped the racist traditions of the Israelites (Matt. 15:21-28; Luke 10:25-37) and the Bible even speaks of 'hatred without reason' (Psalm 69:4) and anti-Semitism (Esther 3:8-9, 5:10-14). Also, Gentiles are despised, the Israelites are despised (Gen. 43:32) and foreigners are excluded from fellowship (Neh. 13:1-3). The Bible also encourages freedom from slavery (1 Cor. 7:21; The book of Exodus) In conclusion, interracial marriage is not against the will of God based upon the Bible. It remains a question of being yoked/unequally yoked in fellowship with God Himself and choosing a husband/wife that will help you to enrich your walk in the Lord (1 Cor. 7:35). I wanted to share this with you, since I was wondering what the Bible specifically said about such things. Feel free to tell me how you agree/disagree. |
Bible Answer: We are all one race. The bible says we are all of one blood. We are members of the human race. Ken Ham was on truths that transform. http://www.crministries.org/TTTarchive.htm--- "One Blood; The Biblical Answer to Racism" Part 2 WED - 05/22 Speech by Ken Ham ********Did you know that racism has been fostered by the theory of evolution? Find out how–listen in! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "One Blood; The Biblical Answer to Racism" Part 1 TUE - 05/21 Speech by Ken Ham ****** Ken Ham gives you the facts about the evolutionary concept of racism in today’s revealing broadcast. ****ONE BLOOD: The Biblical Answer to Racism by Ken Ham, Carl Wieland, and Don Batten More than half a century has passed since the horrors of the Nazi racial extermination camps were revealed to a disbelieving world. Yet the battle of ethnic hate and violence remains one of the burning issues of our time. Billions of dollars are spent fighting it. Oprah devotes entire programs to it. Presidents consult civic and religious leaders; everyone seems to be wrestling with the problems of racial prejudice, yet solutions evade us. But what does "race" really mean? Are there really multiple races of humans, and where did this concept originate? The Bible says in Acts 17:26 that God has "made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth." So, is there really such a thing as "the white race', or "the black race"? You will be astounded at the easy-to-understand scientific facts, and how they line up with the often-overlooked simplicity of God's Word. In this ground-breaking book, you will read, perhaps for the first time, about racism's evolutionary connections, and the powerful answer from Genesis. For a real solution to ethnic hatred, read this copy of One Blood. You'll see this explosive debate in a whole new, startling light.***** http://www.christiananswers.net/catalog/bk-oneblood.html |