Journal: Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal
Volume: DBSJ 25:1 (NA 2020)
Article: Wrong Then, Wrong Now? A Refutation Of Past Arguments Against Interracial Marriage In Light Of The LBGT Revolution
Author: Alex Francia

DBSJ 25 (2020) p. 119

Wrong Then, Wrong Now?
A Refutation Of Past Arguments Against Interracial Marriage In Light Of The LBGT Revolution

Alex Francia1

Introduction

American approval of interracial marriage (IM) is uncomfortably recent. A simple majority of Americans did not approve of IM until the mid-1990s.2 Many who disapproved of it in earlier centuries cited the Scriptures as their authority,3 and their firm stances caused ripple effects even into the 21st century. Bob Jones University did not drop its interracial dating ban until 2000,4 and in 2016 a Christian woman wrote of her initial discomfort with her white daughter’s marrying a black man.5

DBSJ 25 (2020) p. 120

Fortunately, BJU recanted of their earlier opposition to IM, as have many others. But unfortunately, these recantations are very recent. Unfortunately, while formally acknowledging that the Bible allows IM, many Christians may still recoil at the thought of their children marrying interracially. And unfortunately, past opposition to IM has made Christians subject to the charge of radical inconsistency: “Christians once opposed IM, then they changed their minds. Christians now oppose gay marriage, so they ought to change their minds again. The reason they oppose gay marriage must be similar to the reason they opposed IM, and that reason is bigotry.” Jonathan Zimmerman, after the decision of the United Methodist Church to affirm biblical marriage, put it this way, “The UMC is on the wrong side of history, but history suggests it will right itself soon enough.”6

This issue is important because biblical authority and consistency are on the line. The Bible cannot prohibit IM in one era of church history and then permit it in a later era. So, though virtually no Christian today opposes IM,7 it is still important for Christians to explain what the Bible says—and does not say—about IM. Though many unbelievers may not wish to entertain a thorough exegetical discussion on the topic, Christians must at least be able to illustrate that though many appealed to the Bible to oppose IM, the Bible itself does not prohibit it. Christians should also be able to show that IM differs significantly from same-sex marriage.

This issue is also important because Christians must act and think as Christians, not just skilled exegetes or apologists....