JOSEPH W. TKACH
January 1988
Dear Friend:
You asked about racial intermarriage.
The Bible shows that marriage between persons of different
races is contrary to God's purpose.
This does not mean that one race is better than another. God
loves all human beings -- after all, the races exist only by His
design and will. Regardless of race, every person has the same
potential destiny -- that of becoming a part of God's very own
Family (Gal. 3:28-29).
Anciently, God separated the different races by giving each
its own area of the world to develop (Gen. 10:5, 32; Deut. 32:8;
Acts 17:26). He placed them where geographic features (rivers,
mountain ranges, and the like) formed great natural barriers and
boundaries between them. He obviously did not want different
peoples to intermingle.
Notice also that Abraham (called the father of the faithful)
was deeply concerned that his son Isaac should find a wife among
his own people rather than from among the Canaanites, who were a
different people (Gen. 24). In turn, Isaac instructed his son
Jacob to go back to their ancestral home to find a wife (Gen.
28:1-2).
God's will of maintaining the separation and distinction of
each race is illustrated by one of His laws concerning animals.
The people were not to let their cattle interbreed without
control (Lev. 19:19). While people are vastly more important than
cattle, genetic principles apply to both man and beast, and laws
given for the benefit of animals can illustrate principles
applying to human beings (please see I Corinthians 9:9-10).
Parents should appreciate their birthright and want to
preserve it. They should strive to maintain a good name and to
teach their children to treasure their FAMILY HERITAGE.
It is in keeping with these biblical principles, then, for a
person to marry someone of the same race and who is compatible in
personality, culture, temperament, and outlook on life.
Disregarding these principles is likely to result in problems and
hardships for the couple and for the children.
Those who find themselves already in a mixed marriage should
not despair. They can still fulfill God's plan and achieve
eternal salvation. Such persons should not separate from their
mates or dissolve their marriages.
Whenever we can be of help again in your studies, please
feel welcome to write or call.
PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT
PASTOR GENERAL