Race and the Bible

[Cajun Huguenot]

I am amazed when people use the Bible to argue that it is a sin to marry someone from a different race. The Scriptures have a great deal to say about the inter-marriage of different peoples. In the Law of God the Israelites were commanded not to inter-marry with the peoples that lived around them, but this was not a law to maintain racial purity. Instead, the laws were there so that the Covenant People of God would maintain theological and religious purity.

My very early years were spent in the segregated South and my teenage years were spent in a South that was dealing with foul fruit of racial segregation, after it was “officially” ended. I, like many (most) of my friends, believed it was “wrong” to for a white person to marry a black person. That is the way we all (most of us) thought back then.

In my early twenties, after I had started studying the Scriptures, I began to have trouble with my views about race and marriage. I remember reading an article about a mixed race couple who, after they had married, had been converted to the Christian faith, and so I began to look at the subject.

I never pretended that my views against inter-racial marriage were based on the Bible, and up until that time I had little knowledge (if any) about what the Bible said on the subject. As I began to work through this issue I realised that my views were totally cultural based had had no theological foundation.

As I read the Scriptures I realised that Law of God forbade the people of God from marrying peoples who worshipped false Gods, and the laws against inter-marriage with other peoples were based on faith and not on race. There are a number of accounts in the Bible where Covenant people married non-covenant people.Sometimes this is serously condemned, but it was ok if the non-Covenant person converted before hand and joined the Covenant people of God.

Rahab the Harlot, of Jericho, helped the Israelites conquer that Canaanite city. I think it is clear in the text that Rahab was a Canaanite. She had her own home in Jericho and she, and her extended family with her, were the only people spared when the Israelites conquered the city. Then we read that “And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.” (Joshua 6:25) Rahab a Canaanite, and her people were grafted into Israel. Rahab also made it to the Faith hall of Fame in Hebrews 11:31

Christians, like Old Testament saints, are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. That is what we are not to do; we are not to marry non-believers. Racial separatist groups, that try to defend their position from the Bible, do great harm to the Faith of Christ and distort the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, who had Rahab, a Canaanite, as one of his ancestors.

I am proud of my Southern heritage and I will defend it any day of the week, but when heritage differs from the Scriptures we must follow the Word of God.

Deo Vindice,
Kenith
Ps. God save the South (and the whole world).​

 

[edie19]

I've never understood where people get that interpretation from either. If anything - Scripture teaches otherwise. Consider the Shulamite woman in Song of Solomon - she describes herself as dark and Soloman as fair. That book puts any modern day "romance novel" to shame.

And of course there's the time that Jesus declared Himself the Messiah to (gasp) a Samaritan woman. If anyone should have known about keeping people separate it should have been Christ - what was He thinking? Oh, that's right - He knew it didn't matter.

 

[Ps28:7]

and moses married a woman from ethopia...known for their really dark skin....i know what you mean tho about the south and how the culture kinda gets in the way of what the Word says (because it's the bible belt) but i dated a white guy (needless to say i am black) and it was a little difficult living in the south because of the looks you get because people think that you're in the wrong and people really do think that it's not biblical to be interracially married
John Piper has a pretty good message on this: http://www.desiringgod.org/library/sermons/05/011605.html

 

[edie19]

and moses married a woman from ethopia...known for their really dark skin....i know what you mean tho about the south and how the culture kinda gets in the way of what the Word says (because it's the bible belt) but i dated a white guy (needless to say i am black) and it was a little difficult living in the south because of the looks you get because people think that you're in the wrong and people really do think that it's not biblical to be interracially married
John Piper has a pretty good message on this: http://www.desiringgod.org/library/sermons/05/011605.html

My sister (white) has been married to a black gentleman for ~15 years. They met in New Orleans and lived there for the first few years of their married life. The one thing that she said about living in the South - at least people were up front about their bigotry, that you know where you stand. They've lived other places where she said the bigotry was much more subtle.

Of course, why should we be surprised at how people twist the Word to support their bigotry. Heck, many Americans think Jesus was a blue-eyed blonde from Europe (just look at all the pictures that depict Him as such) as opposed to a dark haired, dark eyed Jew from the Middle East.

 

[Ps28:7]

Of course, why should we be surprised at how people twist the Word to support their bigotry. Heck, many Americans think Jesus was a blue-eyed blonde from Europe (just look at all the pictures that depict Him as such) as opposed to a dark haired, dark eyed Jew from the Middle East.

i've never fully understood why he tends to be viewed that way...it doesn't even make a lot of sense when you think about it...but i guess it developed through the years especially during different periods in Europe (Renaissane, Humanism, etc.) where the people started depicting the heavenly/holy ones as human like and vice versa...anyways i guess that could explain some of why Jesus looks very american now

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

My sister (white) has been married to a black gentleman for ~15 years. They met in New Orleans and lived there for the first few years of their married life. The one thing that she said about living in the South - at least people were up front about their bigotry, that you know where you stand. They've lived other places where she said the bigotry was much more subtle.

I also get the impression that the South is more integrated. Up here, it's pretty much assumed that blacks hate whites hate hispanics and pretty much keep to themselves. For all intents and purposes, we've got black neighborhoods, white neighborhoods, black schools, white schools, black restaurants, and so on. I'm not saying these don't exist in the South, but we still call ourselves "tolerant" and "multicultural."I think "multicultural" is just a name white academics take on to show how in tune they are with other races without ever being required to interact with people of color.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

I also get the impression that the South is more integrated. Up here, it's pretty much assumed that blacks hate whites hate hispanics and pretty much keep to themselves. For all intents and purposes, we've got black neighborhoods, white neighborhoods, black schools, white schools, black restaurants, and so on. I'm not saying these don't exist in the South, but we still call ourselves "tolerant" and "multicultural."I think "multicultural" is just a name white academics take on to show how in tune they are with other races without ever being required to interact with people of color.

People do tend to be more comortable with other people with whom they share things in common, it can be ethnicity, cultural/national history, religion/belief system, education, economic status, skin color and countless other "things." That is ok if it is not done in such a way that one looks down on others that are "outside" the particular group.

We are all made in the image of God; we are all descended from Noah and we are all in need of the grace and redemption of God.

The New Testament speaks a good deal on how we are to treat one another. If we are in Christ, we are family, we are brothers and sisters. It is never right to look down on a brotehr or sister, who we are supposed to love, just because they are "different" in some way.

Our feelings to those who do not know Christ is we are to love them and pray that the grace of God may yet come on them and they too might be saved.

We are even to love our enemies and pray that the Lord will yet save them as well. The South, like every other place in this country and in the whole world, has particular sins common to it.

I think we have come along ways on this issue since I was a child and, by God's grace we will continue to progress. It is important that Southern Chrisitians (of all ethnic backgrounds) work to correct the unbiblical perceptions that still exist on this issue here.

The only way to contunue to heal this and other ills that exists here and elsewhere is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

 

[arunma]

I have to admit that when I saw the title of this thread, the first thing that ran through my mind was "oh no, conservative Christianity is about to show its ugly side again." While I believe that Christians ought to hold to the orthodox doctrines of the Christian faith, I've noticed that most of the Christian racists happen to also be of theologically conservative persuasion.

Thank the Lord that my fears have been assuaged (at least so far). Brothers and sisters on this thread have showed from the written word of God, rather than from secular arguments, that it is right for people of different races to integrate in all ways, including marriage. I noticed that Ps28:7 mentioned John Piper. I go to his church, and we're quite blessed to have him. In regards to racial relations, he gives a sermon every Martin Luther King Day weekend. At times he's talked about his experiences growing up in the racist America of the 60's. In fact he went to a church that once voted to bar blacks from the congregation. I think Piper best summarized Southern de jure segregation when he asked, "How could you more clearly communicate the lie that being black was like a disease?" But perhaps the more important statement is the next sentence in the sermon: "It was a despicable time in our history, and most of the Christian church was tragically silent and consenting in the evil."

Racial harmony is an extremely important issue to me. I am not African, but relations between whites and Africans is an issue which greatly concerns me, especially as it pertains to the Christian church in America. I abhor the notion of white churchs and black churches, and would like to see this institution destroyed as American culture rectifies the sin of racism that has plagued us for centuries. More importantly, I abhor the sin of racism, because God commands us to "abhor what is evil." (Romans 12:9). Clearly it is the Gospel of Christ that must repair the damage that has been caused by racism, because it is the cross that makes us one in Christ Jesus.

That said, it comes as a surprise to me (as well as to many others) that a good deal of American racism comes from professing Christians. Having studied a bit about this, I would caution everyone about these wolves among the flock of God. One need only to watch Benny Hinn or another TV preacher to see how easy it is for false teachers to speak as if they were genuine Christians. Let us make no mistake: racists are not fools. In modern times they are highly educated people. Perhaps the next time a racist appears in these forums, you may take note of the clever tactic that he uses to appeal to orthodox Christians. A statement I've seen in the past is "we need to fight the rising trend of liberalism by opposing such evils as abortion, homosexual and interracial relationships, evolution, and secularism." Cleverly, such a person will insert his racist comments among legitimate issues, such as abortion and evolution. I suppose this is his or her way of legitimizing this position.

And then of course there are the misinterpretations of Scripture. They seem to quote the latter half of Acts 17:26 while ignoring the former half (and even by their incorrect interpretation of the latter half, I'd be interested to see how they justify European colonialism). Likewise, they quote Deuteronomy 7:3, but ignore verse 4. They ignore the Scriptures that proclaim the divine ordinance of racial harmony, such as Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 3:11. Furthermore, they attempt to suppress the Biblical examples of interracial relationships. Apparently the marriage of Timothy's mother and father (Acts 16:1) does not count as an interracial relationship because it wasn't "kind after kind" (I'm not sure what this phrase means, but it is used by racists). Moses' wife Zipporah was also apparently not black, since they have constructed an apologetic to explain why Cushites are not "really" Ethiopians (but they have failed to consider Jeremiah 13:23). I would encourage everyone to inform yourselves about these issues, so that you will be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." (1 Peter 3:15).

Racism is an unfortunate issue that the church must continue to deal with. But it is my hope that with God's help and our continued prayers, we will purge this wickedness from the people of God.

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

People do tend to be more comortable with other people with whom they share things in common, it can be ethnicity, cultural/national history, religion/belief system, education, economic status, skin color and countless other "things." That is ok if it is not done in such a way that one looks down on others that are "outside" the particular group.

We are all made in the image of God; we are all descended from Noah and we are all in need of the grace and redemption of God.

The New Testament speaks a good deal on how we are to treat one another. If we are in Christ, we are family, we are brothers and sisters. It is never right to look down on a brotehr or sister, who we are supposed to love, just because they are "different" in some way.

Our feelings to those who do not know Christ is we are to love them and pray that the grace of God may yet come on them and they too might be saved.

We are even to love our enemies and pray that the Lord will yet save them as well. The South, like every other place in this country and in the whole world, has particular sins common to it.

I think we have come along ways on this issue since I was a child and, by God's grace we will continue to progress. It is important that Southern Chrisitians (of all ethnic backgrounds) work to correct the unbiblical perceptions that still exist on this issue here.

The only way to contunue to heal this and other ills that exists here and elsewhere is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

Agreed. And I am so glad that you placed all of our hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is something that so many professing Christians simply do not understand. It's that "Christ and..." bug that's hit everyone from the social gospel crowd to the Little Geneva crowd (actually, we're all susceptible to it). But I don't think the problem is just for Southern Christians. I think it's also a huge problem in the North (much larger than we admit since we're so busy pointing our collective finger southward), and that's what my post was about.

 

[edie19]

. . . That said, it comes as a surprise to me (as well as to many others) that a good deal of American racism comes from professing Christians. . . . .

It's a rather strange dichotomy. Looking back over the past ~150 years Christians have been active in abolition and the civil rights movement. A large majority of those who housed folks along the Underground Railroad were Christian. Many churches, black and white, openly participated in the civil rights activities of the 50's and 60's - up to and including MLK's march on Washington. At the same time professing Christians (I have to take their word for their conversion) fought against these same things.

edie

 

[arunma]

It's a rather strange dichotomy. Looking back over the past ~150 years Christians have been active in abolition and the civil rights movement. A large majority of those who housed folks along the Underground Railroad were Christian. Many churches, black and white, openly participated in the civil rights activities of the 50's and 60's - up to and including MLK's march on Washington. At the same time professing Christians (I have to take their word for their conversion) fought against these same things.

It is, isn't it? In my three years as a Christian, one thing I've learned is that Christianity is easy to abuse. I suppose this is true of all religions. But when we claim that the Gospel of Christ is the sole means of salvation (and I most certainly do hold to that claim), then the behavior of these false brothers severely harms our testimony. It seems to me that for this reason, racist Christians are a primary enemy of God and of his Kingdom.

 

[cubanito]

Well, the only good Christian is a dead Christian, "injun" or not. Still, why should we listen to someone like Arumna who is so confused we can't decide which hemisphere he's from?

OK, it's over w the bad jokes already...

Fact is that while some Christians did oppose abolition, it was among Christians that the greatest number and fervor against slavery, and later segregation arose. If you want religions where racism is affirmed on principle, look at Hinduism, Shinto, and secular humanism. Yes, secular humanism, with it's underlying origins philosophy of natural macroevolution. Oh they howl in protest now, but when you read any of the literature, scientific or not, prior to ~1940, it was Darwinism that was cited as defense for slavery, segregation, BIRTH CONTROL, eugenics and (sure fire way to end rational discourse) let's bring in the Nazis too! In fact, Darwinism so obviously leads to racism that the non-racist atheists (communists) made it state policy to deny it, championing instead Lamark's idea of adaptive macroevolution instead. Here's two of many quotes from the founder of Planned Parenthood: "More children from the fit, less from the unfit, that is our goal." "We seek not only to discourage births among the lower classes, but more among the higher ones, as a means of improving the race." (Margaret Sanger)

A belief system that posits the generation of all men from a single specially created couple, whose founder angered His contemporaries by repeatedly saying that being of Abraham's seed is of no account (Mat 3:9, Luke 4:25) and whose personal geneaology included Rahab and Ruth the Moabite, whose "chosen people" are brown-skinned mongrels as about dead center on the color scae as one can get, and whose greatest Love Song, the Song of Songs, if between the wisest fair-skinned man and a balck woman....OK run on sentence, but you get the point. Racism has to be shoehorned onto Christianity big-time. It is by no means a natural fit.

On the other hand, a belief system whose underlying assumption is racial competition as the underlying mechanism for improvement...well, THAT fits racism quite well.

It's too bad Western culture is historically amnesic. Any quick read of literature from before 60 years ago shows immediately that even those few Christians who did support racism tended to do so from Darwinist assumptions. The one exception was a curious twisting of a single verse, the curse on Ham (Gen 9:22) which is very strange since such as Psalms 105:2 would mean that only Egypteans were meant to be slaves, not blacks.

Fact is, Christianity, Islam, (I think, could be wrong: Bhuddism), Bahai, are about the only religious systems I know that are clearly against racism. While Paul aquiesced to slavery and Islam practices it even today in Africa, it is a slavery that is cultural and not racial in origin. That is, not by skin color, but by economic happenstance or by conquering other peoples.

Slavery got mixed up with racism only by a Historical quirk were Northern europeans found a cheap source from Arab traders who got their human merchandize from Sub-Saharan tribal warfare. They are actually distinct ideas. It is quite possible to be anti-slavery and pro racial segregation, as has occured very often indeed. It is also possible to be pro-slavery yet anti racial segregation as also has occured often in Muslim lands. Again, it is the Historical amnesia of the West that leads us to forget this.

In regards to slavery, the OT made it a time limited way of paying off a debt. Only willingly could a man become a permanent slave. We would refer to it as an "indentured servant" who retained many civil rights. Roman slaves also had a measure of civil rights which were unknown in the antebellum US South. But I digress. My point is that slavery and racism are separate topics that only occasionally have linked up.

And more importantly, if you want a philosophical underpining for racism, read Darwin, or the Rig Vedas.

JR, just a short note

 

[arunma]

Fact is that while some Christians did oppose abolition, it was among Christians that the greatest number and fervor against slavery, and later segregation arose. If you want religions where racism is affirmed on principle, look at Hinduism, Shinto, and secular humanism. Yes, secular humanism, with it's underlying origins philosophy of natural macroevolution. Oh they howl in protest now, but when you read any of the literature, scientific or not, prior to ~1940, it was Darwinism that was cited as defense for slavery, segregation, BIRTH CONTROL, eugenics and (sure fire way to end rational discourse) let's bring in the Nazis too! In fact, Darwinism so obviously leads to racism that the non-racist atheists (communists) made it state policy to deny it, championing instead Lamark's idea of adaptive macroevolution instead. Here's two of many quotes from the founder of Planned Parenthood: "More children from the fit, less from the unfit, that is our goal." "We seek not only to discourage births among the lower classes, but more among the higher ones, as a means of improving the race." (Margaret Sanger)

A belief system that posits the generation of all men from a single specially created couple, whose founder angered His contemporaries by repeatedly saying that being of Abraham's seed is of no account (Mat 3:9, Luke 4:25) and whose personal geneaology included Rahab and Ruth the Moabite, whose "chosen people" are brown-skinned mongrels as about dead center on the color scae as one can get, and whose greatest Love Song, the Song of Songs, if between the wisest fair-skinned man and a balck woman....OK run on sentence, but you get the point. Racism has to be shoehorned onto Christianity big-time. It is by no means a natural fit.

On the other hand, a belief system whose underlying assumption is racial competition as the underlying mechanism for improvement...well, THAT fits racism quite well.

It's too bad Western culture is historically amnesic. Any quick read of literature from before 60 years ago shows immediately that even those few Christians who did support racism tended to do so from Darwinist assumptions. The one exception was a curious twisting of a single verse, the curse on Ham (Gen 9:22) which is very strange since such as Psalms 105:2 would mean that only Egypteans were meant to be slaves, not blacks.

Fact is, Christianity, Islam, (I think, could be wrong: Bhuddism), Bahai, are about the only religious systems I know that are clearly against racism. While Paul aquiesced to slavery and Islam practices it even today in Africa, it is a slavery that is cultural and not racial in origin. That is, not by skin color, but by economic happenstance or by conquering other peoples.

Slavery got mixed up with racism only by a Historical quirk were Northern europeans found a cheap source from Arab traders who got their human merchandize from Sub-Saharan tribal warfare. They are actually distinct ideas. It is quite possible to be anti-slavery and pro racial segregation, as has occured very often indeed. It is also possible to be pro-slavery yet anti racial segregation as also has occured often in Muslim lands. Again, it is the Historical amnesia of the West that leads us to forget this.

In regards to slavery, the OT made it a time limited way of paying off a debt. Only willingly could a man become a permanent slave. We would refer to it as an "indentured servant" who retained many civil rights. Roman slaves also had a measure of civil rights which were unknown in the antebellum US South. But I digress. My point is that slavery and racism are separate topics that only occasionally have linked up.

And more importantly, if you want a philosophical underpining for racism, read Darwin, or the Rig Vedas.

JR, just a short note

These are some interesting issues that you raise. This is probably best summarized by your statement that racism has been shoehorned onto Christianity, being an unnatural fit.

Well, the only good Christian is a dead Christian, "injun" or not. Still, why should we listen to someone like Arumna who is so confused we can't decide which hemisphere he's from?

OK, it's over w the bad jokes already...

Hey now, I am not an American Born Confused Desi.

...except for the American Born part.

 

[arunma]

Incidentally, what Cubanito says about Hinduism is quite accurate. Hinduism is practiced primarily by Indians, and most people laugh at the idea of minorities practicing racism against other minorities. Alas, it is true. If you don't believe him, just see what happens when a high caste Hindu's daughter dates a black man.

 

[bradfordl]

Racism is a trait common to humans everywhere. I've lived for extended periods in 3 different foreign countries, and saw that in each there were the "favored" groups and the "lower". Whether it was a difference (however slight) in complexion, or facial characteristics indicating certain genetic origins, they all had them. Early on, and before regeneration, I came to the conclusion that racism is one of the ways depraved humans attempt to give themselves importance and superiority. It really is nonsensical, and would be a hilarity if it weren't the root of so much cruelty. And an odious sin before God.

I was talking about this with a Bolivian friend of mine today, and he told me how in his country there were prejudices among the lighter skinned folks with Spanish heritages against the darker Indian population. It's everywhere, mankind is disgusting in the many ways it rejects Christ.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Only legalism forbit mix race. Mix race happened many times. Think how many times Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles have been married after Christ left.

 

[Ps28:7]

Whether it was a difference (however slight) in complexion, or facial characteristics indicating certain genetic origins, they all had them. Early on, and before regeneration, I came to the conclusion that racism is one of the ways depraved humans attempt to give themselves importance and superiority.

very true...it's weird to see 'racism' amongst one race...

 

[JM]

My wife is black, I'm white and people say my kids are high yella... lol Up here in Ontario Canada it's never been a problem, as soon as I go state side with my wife, I can "feel" the difference...my wife does as well.

 

[arunma]

My wife is black, I'm white and people say my kids are high yella... lol Up here in Ontario Canada it's never been a problem, as soon as I go state side with my wife, I can "feel" the difference...my wife does as well.

Ontario, huh? If I'm not mistaken, it's quite multicultural. I remember when I was visiting my cousin in Toronto, we went to a movie theatre. After looking around for a minute, I noticed that there were only two white people in the whole room. Must be an interesting experience.

Anyway, it's unfortunate that people in the States -- especially the Northern States -- would practice a degree of racial bias. You'd think that after the civil rights movement we would be over such things, but I guess not.

very true...it's weird to see 'racism' amongst one race...

Strangely enough it happens quite often. For example, when the Irish began emigrating to America, they were treated poorly, despite being as white as everyone else. Even among people in India, there is discrimination based on both skin tone and caste. It would appear that even when segregated by race, humans find ways to hate one another. I suppose that's one reason that racial segregation doesn't work. And God, in his infinite wisdom, has overcome the practice,

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. (Ephesians 2:14-16)
​

I am amazed that even after a cursory reading of the epistles to the Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, some Christians fail to grasp the common thread of racial harmony. Believe it or not, a few of the churches in India founded by the Apostle Thomas continued to segregate congregants by caste until relatively modern times. And of course Western European nationalism speaks for itself. Perhaps this should act as a call for none of us to remain complacent, but rather to persistently preach the Gospel of Christ.

 

[arunma]

Only legalism forbit mix race. Mix race happened many times. Think how many times Christian Jews and Christian Gentiles have been married after Christ left.

Indeed. Racists manipulate the Scriptures with the skill of the Pharisees, from whom they are spiritually descended. And to the racist Christ says,

You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! (St. Mark 7:9)
​

As has been said many times in this thread, racial separation exists because it has been established as a longstanding tradition in America. That it has been done in America since time immemorial is reason enough for some people to continue doing it.

I would encourage everyone who is interested to read Frederick Douglass' autobiography, in which he shows a striking parallel between the racist slaveowners of his generation, and the Jews whom Jesus cursed in St. Matthew 23.