An "Ask the Preacher" article as it has appeared in the Santa Rosa Press Gazette (Milton, Florida). The author is Pastor Carl Gallups of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church in Milton, Florida. Click HERE to go to the Main Index page of Hickory Hammock Baptist Church to read many more such articles. This article is copyrighted by Carl Gallups and may be reproduced provided that copyright notice is given.



Dear Pastor Gallups, " Is there anything wrong with interracial dating and marriage?" - J.J. -E. Milton

Dear J.J. - I was asked this question one time at a national conference at which I was preaching. I asked the person what they meant; did they mean Hispanic married to Asian, or a Caucasian married to an Indian or an oriental married to a Jew, or what? They responded, "NO! I mean a black married to a white!" I responded, "oh, then you are talking about PREJUDICE!"

You see, J.J., isn't it interesting, all of the other examples I used were also interracial relationships, yet few seem to have a problem with these. It was only when the black/white issue was brought up that the problems began in people's minds.

The Old Testament contains prohibitions for God's people intermarrying with foreign nations around them. This had nothing to do with race, but EVERYTHING to do with their pagan, godless customs. That was the issue, not race in and of itself. This truth is still in effect today. God's people should not marry those who oppose the Lord. The New Testament makes this clear also in II Corinthians 6:14 and following.

When I am counseling people on this matter who are dating or thinking about getting married, I urge them to consider the great handicap that prejudice still causes in our culture today. The prejudice is WRONG, but it still makes interracial marriage very, very difficult in most places in this country. When children come to these marriages they often experience very cruel treatment that would rip any loving parents heart out. They are often scorned and rejected by both races involved!

In short, a couple who marries interracially can expect a lifetime of prejudice ad rejection. It is a shame, but it is true. I always counsel people thinking about such a relationship to carefully examine their own motives, weigh out the facts and think about the future. Marriage is SO TOUGH as it is without the extra burden that interracial marriage can often bring.

But, the bottom line, J.J., is NOT the color of a person's skin, but the condition of their heart toward Jesus that matters with the Lord. The Bible does NOT CONDEMN interracial marriage. I hope this has helped you.