Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Interracial Marriages

Interracial Marriages

I had the privilege of getting into a relationship with one of my fellow youth members. He is half Indian and I am white. My culture does not permit it in any way, and finds it a disgrace and a sin. I know the Bible states that we should not be in relationships with non-believers, because light and darkness do not mix, but nowhere in the Bible to my knowledge does it state that we are not allowed to be romantically involved over our racial borders.

My parents do not know about the relationship because it does not carry their consent. They say it is unbiblical and unlawful. Please shed some light on this topic. I really love this man and he knows the Will of God. He values the same beliefs as I do. Is it not more important to be involved with a man of God than to be involved with an unbeliever? My parents say that the Bible preaches against it. Please tell me the truth.


Before we answer the question of how to deal with your family let’s deal with the question of racism. Racism is sin pure and simple. Racism is selfishness, elitism, arrogance, pride, hatred and evil all wrapped up into one. It is the fruit of Satan’s principles and has no place in God’s kingdom.

God’s kingdom is the kingdom of love, the kingdom of giving, of self-sacrifice, of esteeming others more highly than yourself. Anyone who is racist has not been renewed in love!

If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (1John 4:20).

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35).

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (1John 3:10).

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (1John 3:16).

All humanity was created by God, in Adam. When God created mankind there was no racial division. We are all part of the same heritage and same family. Satan is a liar and fraud. He lied about God in heaven and he lies to us today about who we are. Through his lies he divides. God is the God of truth and love and His methods always heal and unite. Through Christ, God is working to bring the entire universe back together into unity, under one head (Eph 1:10).

Racism blinds us to God and His kingdom. Racism prevents us from making enlightened decisions. Rather than assessing a person based on the content of the heart, the quality of the character, we instead make decisions based on the concentration of melanin in the skin. How utterly foolish, narrow minded and short sighted!

The Bible tells us that, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1Sam 16:7). With God it is not a matter of melanin concentration in the skin, but a matter of love concentration in the heart! We must grow up and look past the outer appearance and see the quality of the heart!

God demonstrated his displeasure with those who practice racism, even within families, when Aaron and Miriam questioned Moses’ right to lead Israel. They questioned his ability to lead because he had married an African woman, most likely from the Sudan.

Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. Numbers 12:1 [Cush comes from Hebrew כושי‎ and refers to someone of African descent with dark skin, most likely from Sudan].

God was displeased with their prejudice and judgmentalism and chastised them. As an object lesson, to show them the sinfulness of racism, pride, and jealousy God struck Miriam with leprosy. [He didn’t strike Aaron with leprosy because he was the High Priest and represented Christ]. Leprosy was an object lesson for sin. Miriam could not enter the camp of Israel until she was cleansed of leprosy. Likewise, we cannot enter heaven until we are cleansed of racism, pride, and jealousy.

Therefore, if you live in a culture in which “Christians” practice racism, they are revealing that the Christianity they are practicing is not cleansing their hearts or renewing them into Christlikeness.

Understanding that racism is unequivocally evil and against the kingdom of God, how do we now answer the question of your situation and dealing with your family.

The Scriptures tell us that we are to honor our mother and father. Does this mean, that once we reach accountability, we allow our parents to choose the God we worship? Does it mean we allow our parents to think for us? Are we to surrender our individuality to our parents?

Absolutely not! Christ said:

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—  36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:34-38).

What does this mean? We are to always treat our parents with love and respect, but we are to put Christ and God first in our hearts, and maintain our fidelity and loyalty to God above all others. This means when we understand God’s kingdom of love and our family is racist and pressures us to participate with them in practicing racism, we should instead love others. We may risk rejection from our families if they continue to hold to selfishness and pride, but we grow in our relationship with God.

But loving others as Christ loved us, loving all peoples regardless of race, does not mean we have to enter into romantic relationships with those of other races. The Bible is clear there is nothing sinful in such relationships, but because of sin and the darkness of human minds, there will be a price to pay for biracial marriages. In some parts of the world this is much more serious than others.

You must consider the impact over time if your family and culture shun you. You may be in love now, you may be in harmony with God’s understanding of the universe, you may be in harmony with God’s kingdom of love, but what will it be like to live ostracized from your family, friends and culture? If you plan on having children will a biracial marriage make their lives more difficult? If your family cuts you off, will you be able to live the rest of your life without their involvement in your life? Will you be able to do so without resentment toward your spouse?

While such a marriage may be “permissible” it does not mean it is wise or beneficial (1Cor 6:12, 10:23).

You are correct to stand up against racism and to love all peoples. You are correct to resist your family’s and culture’s pressure to be racist. But, this does not mean that a biracial marriage is most beneficial and I would recommend you pray over this and counsel with those from your community before pursuing this relationship further.

One other point of caution, regardless of the rightness of your understanding of racism, regardless of your understanding of God’s kingdom of love for all peoples, it is still damaging to your mind, conscience and character to practice deception. Therefore, if you cannot engage in this relationship without being dishonest, deceitful and deceptive I would recommend avoiding it.

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 18

The Healing the Mind DVD set tarted me on a journey that has changed my relationship with our loving God more significantly than any other study, and brought me to your book and Bible study podcasts, which I now listen to daily, thanks to the availability of archived content on your site and on iTunes.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 58

I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA

 

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa