A Unique Situation

[Paul from Antioch]

Here's a situation that so far I haven't found any specific Biblical verses that seem to address this situation: We want to add another man to our pastoral staff of the local church in which I'm a member. Educationally and Professionally, the man whom were are considering calling to this position has all the qualifications that would be required to fill it, but here is something that I can't find anything in the Bible that seems to refer to his situation. His situation is this: His spouse is of another race, & I don't know how well she would be received by our congregation. She herself will not be serving in any official capacity on our Pastoral Staff, but still the fact that she is of another race may not be that well received by our congregation. If any of you out there on B B can supply me with any Bible references regarding this situation, that would be helpful to me.

 

[Bassoonery]

Did Jesus die for her too?

In the OT God often judged inter-racial marriages because they led God's people away from him and towards other religions. More than their race, the problem was that the women were not believers and had no intention of joining the Hebrew culture. Solomon is the noteworthy example. (Exodus 34:11-16, 1 Kings 11:1-8, Ezra 9-11, Nehemiah 13:23-31)

However, there are also OT examples of women from outside Israel who accepted God and were welcomed into the Hebrew faith without discrimination. They married and some became part of Jesus' ancestry. (Joshua 6:25 [Rahab], Matthew 1:5, Ruth 1:4)

In the NT, the problem with marrying a non-believer still stands for the same reasons (2 Corinthians 6:14-18), although in the early days of the church it was acknowledged that one spouse might convert while the other might not. Such situations were to be met with grace (1 Corinthians 7:12-16, 1 Peter 3:1-7).

While "inter-religious" marriage remains an offence to God, there is no mention of inter-racial marriage as a problem. In fact, I hope I don't need to remind you that in Christ we share a new identity that transcends racial differences - we are all "Abraham's offspring". (Galatians 3:25-29)

So, in the case of your church, if the woman is a believer it should make absolutely no difference whatsoever what race she is. If your church does have a problem with that, as you fear, then I would suggest you need to take a very close look at your church.

 

[Paul from Antioch]

Did Jesus die for her too?

In the OT God often judged inter-racial marriages because they led God's people away from him and towards other religions. More than their race, the problem was that the women were not believers and had no intention of joining the Hebrew culture. Solomon is the noteworthy example. (Exodus 34:11-16, 1 Kings 11:1-8, Ezra 9-11, Nehemiah 13:23-31)

However, there are also OT examples of women from outside Israel who accepted God and were welcomed into the Hebrew faith without discrimination. They married and some became part of Jesus' ancestry. (Joshua 6:25 [Rahab], Matthew 1:5, Ruth 1:4)

In the NT, the problem with marrying a non-believer still stands for the same reasons (2 Corinthians 6:14-18), although in the early days of the church it was acknowledged that one spouse might convert while the other might not. Such situations were to be met with grace (1 Corinthians 7:12-16, 1 Peter 3:1-7).

While "inter-religious" marriage remains an offence to God, there is no mention of inter-racial marriage as a problem. In fact, I hope I don't need to remind you that in Christ we share a new identity that transcends racial differences - we are all "Abraham's offspring". (Galatians 3:25-29)

So, in the case of your church, if the woman is a believer it should make absolutely no difference whatsoever what race she is. If your church does have a problem with that, as you fear, then I would suggest you need to take a very close look at your church.

Bassppnery, Thank you for your well-rounded summary of God's Word! In this situation, the woman IS a believer in Christ Jesus, & that part of her spiritual life I've never questioned. When you posted, "I would suggest that you need to take a very close look at your church," what exactly did you mean? It's not so much that my church is "Anti-Mixed Racal Mixed Marriages," because that doesn't seem to be the REAL issue as I see it. Our church does, in fact, have a few marriages in which each spouse is of another race, and these marriages appear to be "accepted" as such. As I see this issue in my church, it's more that the man in question will be on our Pastoral Staff, and, as such, be in somewhat of an "authority figure," whereas the other racially mixed marriages are not in such a position of "authority." Any additional Biblical advice from anyone on BB would be welcomed!

 

[Bassoonery]

I'm sincerely glad you found the biblical overview helpful.

Sorry if my last comment came across as abrupt. You have explained the situation in your church well and I'm glad to hear there isn't a general antagonism towards people or spouses of other races. Still, I would feel uncomfortable to be in a church where a person was rejected from a position on the basis of the race of their spouse. So just watch out for whether it really becomes the deciding factor or not.

 

[Paul from Antioch]

I'm sincerely glad you found the biblical overview helpful.

Sorry if my last comment came across as abrupt. You have explained the situation in your church well and I'm glad to hear there isn't a general antagonism towards people or spouses of other races. Still, I would feel uncomfortable to be in a church where a person was rejected from a position on the basis of the race of their spouse. So just watch out for whether it really becomes the deciding factor or not.

Don't mean to beg this issue within my local church, but what and/or how should I "watch out for whether it really becomes the deciding factor or not"? Do you mean to say if her race is a "deciding factor" or if the man's position on our Pastoral Staff (Since his being on the Pastoral Staff would imply that being on it would in effect make him an "Authority Figure," or some other "Deciding Factor."?

 

[Paul from Antioch]

I'm sincerely glad you found the biblical overview helpful.

Sorry if my last comment came across as abrupt. You have explained the situation in your church well and I'm glad to hear there isn't a general antagonism towards people or spouses of other races. Still, I would feel uncomfortable to be in a church where a person was rejected from a position on the basis of the race of their spouse. So just watch out for whether it really becomes the deciding factor or not.

Don't mean to beg this issue within my local church, but what and/or how should I "watch out for whether it really becomes the deciding factor or not"? Do you mean to say if her race is a "deciding factor" or if the man's position on our Pastoral Staff (Since his being on the Pastoral Staff would imply that being on it would in effect make him an "Authority Figure," or some other "Deciding Factor."?

 

[37818]

Race should not matter. Acts of the Apostles 17:26, ". . . And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, . . ."

 

[Bassoonery]

Don't mean to beg this issue within my local church, but what and/or how should I "watch out for whether it really becomes the deciding factor or not"? Do you mean to say if her race is a "deciding factor" or if the man's position on our Pastoral Staff (Since his being on the Pastoral Staff would imply that being on it would in effect make him an "Authority Figure," or some other "Deciding Factor."?

No, I was not referring to his position of authority. The "deciding factor" is the main reason for a decision being made.

The person in question might be accepted to the Pastoral Staff. There would be several reasons why he may be selected.
On the other hand, the person in question might be rejected from the position. Again, there may be several possible reasons.

The reasons might certainly include the personality of the person and his wife, and whether they get on well with the members of the congregation. However, if the primary reason for accepting or rejecting the person is the race of his wife, then I think that reveals an underlying problem in the church community.

And when I say "watch out for...", I mean that you should observe whether her race is openly discussed as a reason for accepting or rejecting the person.

 

[Yeshua1]

Here's a situation that so far I haven't found any specific Biblical verses that seem to address this situation: We want to add another man to our pastoral staff of the local church in which I'm a member. Educationally and Professionally, the man whom were are considering calling to this position has all the qualifications that would be required to fill it, but here is something that I can't find anything in the Bible that seems to refer to his situation. His situation is this: His spouse is of another race, & I don't know how well she would be received by our congregation. She herself will not be serving in any official capacity on our Pastoral Staff, but still the fact that she is of another race may not be that well received by our congregation. If any of you out there on B B can supply me with any Bible references regarding this situation, that would be helpful to me.

There is to be NO Bigotism nor racism to be named among the saints!
Hire the man if he is qualified, as his wife has no bearing on this issue, as the only problems would be with your congregation!

 

[Salty]

Race should not matter. . ."

It shouldn't - but it does

11 AM on Sunday is the most segregated hour of the week.

I had a pastor friend - ( he passed away about two years ago.) He was black and his wife was a German Gal.
When I first met him - he was pastor of a church in the Black neighborhood. He told me that he believed that
his white wife was a "There is to be NO Bigotism nor racism to be named among the saints!" but this is not a case
of the saints, but those who are unsaved of which the pastor was seeking to share the Gospel.

About a year ago - the widow has recently married a white pastor.

 

[37818]

Acts of the Apostles 17:26, ". . . And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, . . ."

 

[Yeshua1]

It shouldn't - but it does

11 AM on Sunday is the most segregated hour of the week.

I had a pastor friend - ( he passed away about two years ago.) He was black and his wife was a German Gal.
When I first met him - he was pastor of a church in the Black neighborhood. He told me that he believed that
his white wife was a "There is to be NO Bigotism nor racism to be named among the saints!" but this is not a case
of the saints, but those who are unsaved of which the pastor was seeking to share the Gospel.

About a year ago - the widow has recently married a white pastor.

Reminds me of the time while back in College, had a Black Christian who started to attend our local church, was only ones non white there, and he stated reason why he came in was that his black church kicked him and his wife out, as she was very light skinned black, and many thought that she was trying to pass herself as being white!

 

[Reynolds]

Here's a situation that so far I haven't found any specific Biblical verses that seem to address this situation: We want to add another man to our pastoral staff of the local church in which I'm a member. Educationally and Professionally, the man whom were are considering calling to this position has all the qualifications that would be required to fill it, but here is something that I can't find anything in the Bible that seems to refer to his situation. His situation is this: His spouse is of another race, & I don't know how well she would be received by our congregation. She herself will not be serving in any official capacity on our Pastoral Staff, but still the fact that she is of another race may not be that well received by our congregation. If any of you out there on B B can supply me with any Bible references regarding this situation, that would be helpful to me.

Is this a serious question? Can you find me a Scripture saying it's wrong?

 

[Reynolds]

It shouldn't - but it does

11 AM on Sunday is the most segregated hour of the week.

I had a pastor friend - ( he passed away about two years ago.) He was black and his wife was a German Gal.
When I first met him - he was pastor of a church in the Black neighborhood. He told me that he believed that
his white wife was a "There is to be NO Bigotism nor racism to be named among the saints!" but this is not a case
of the saints, but those who are unsaved of which the pastor was seeking to share the Gospel.

About a year ago - the widow has recently married a white pastor.

I grew up in a white church that had the black church 1/4 mile down the road. Both had same name. Both churches were equally glad to be segregated. It was that way 225 years ago, 100 years ago, 50 years ago, and still that way today.
The church was integrated at it's founding. According to church records, the slaves asked to have their own church so they could worship in the style of their choosing. They all built the black church and the white church financed black church until the Civil war.

 

[Salty]

Apparently Pulaski, VA; has two First Baptist churches. I never knew why, when I lived there, but apparently
they had similar history as Reynold mentioned.

 

[Reynolds]

Apparently Pulaski, VA; has two First Baptist churches. I never knew why, when I lived there, but apparently
they had similar history as Reynold mentioned.

Hartwell Ga does too. It's confusing.

 

[Ziggy]

I grew up in a white church that had the black church 1/4 mile down the road. Both had same name. Both churches were equally glad to be segregated. It was that way 225 years ago, 100 years ago, 50 years ago, and still that way today.
The church was integrated at it's founding. According to church records, the slaves asked to have their own church so they could worship in the style of their choosing. They all built the black church and the white church financed black church until the Civil war.

I experienced the same thing in Bracey VA, when I was to supply preach at a specific named church. I saw it, pulled in, and all the black folk came out to greet me They told me they already had a pastor, and I needed to go down the road about a half mile to the white church of the same name.

 

[kyredneck]

34 And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. Acts 10

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 10

28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. Gal 3

11 where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Col 3

13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Cor 12

 

[Reynolds]

I experienced the same thing in Bracey VA, when I was to supply preach at a specific named church. I saw it, pulled in, and all the black folk came out to greet me They told me they already had a pastor, and I needed to go down the road about a half mile to the white church of the same name.

Happened with us a lot also, but not with pastors, as far as I know

 

[rlvaughn]

Apparently Pulaski, VA; has two First Baptist churches. I never knew why, when I lived there, but apparently
they had similar history as Reynold mentioned.

Hartwell Ga does too. It's confusing.

In a little town near where I grew up in this county, there were two First Baptists, buildings located side by side -- First (Missionary) Baptist Church and First (Southern) Baptist Church. First Missionary was actually the first Baptist church in the little town, a branch off of our country church by folks who had moved to town and wanted a church there. First Southern was a split from First Missionary, during the controversies that split the Baptist General Convention of Texas around 1900.