More on “Interracial” Marriage

My friend Minda asked a thoughtful question in response to this post. I assumed that the original post would be met with more discussion than it was. Apparently, most readers took it as a “duh-ism,” which is a great thing. I thought it would be useful to post the discussion that followed Minda’s question, however, as it moves us beyond theory to actual practice. Feel free to chime in. Here it is:

Minda: Thanks, Pastor Chris, for this article. I find it rather sad that such articles even need to be written. I was wondering how you answer people who say that while such a marriage is not prohibited by the Bible, it is still not best because it would likely limit one’s ministry in many churches and it would hurt the children. That’s a comment I’ve often heard. What do you say to it?

Me: Hi, Minda.

I think there’s some warrant to the idea that people need to think about all of the ramifications of any marriage, really. In fact, a good friend whose parents are of different ethnicities [Greg Linscott] suggested that I mention the need for couples to think about all that such a marriage entails. However, I didn’t essentially because sometimes that legitimate advice can be used as a loophole to perpetuate the old idea that condemns such unions, and may even be a cover for racism: “Well, it may not be wrong, but it’s certainly not wise.” I have no time for that, but I do think it’s true that the couple should be prepared for whatever might come. Honestly, though, it’s a generational thing. The “think of the children” angle doesn’t play anymore; most people don’t care, or even think about it.

One more thing: I did get a note from a rather offended older man that said essentially “That’s sounds nice in theory, but what would you do if your daughters brought home a _____ man?” (His omitting the word evidently proves that he’s not racist. Nice.) I blew it off, but I was tempted to say, “I don’t understand what you mean. A short man? A chubby man?” :)

Truth is, as much as I know my heart, if they bring home a genuinely godly man who will cherish them and lead them in their pursuit of Christ, his appearance and background won’t matter a bit.

Dan (my friend of Pyro fame): Chris, I’m on vacation, in a room where family is sleeping. Your “I don’t understand” response made me chuckle aloud. Good thing I didn’t wake anyone up.

Here’s my response:

Weighing possible negative repercussions is for the couple to consider.

Our business is to make darned sure we aren’t part of any such repercussions, and to stomp any that arise like the pestilent cockroaches they are.

“You will never relieve suffering by reliving suffering. “

Here’s a great word on suffering from my dear friend, Larry Rogier (who, alas, is no stranger to suffering). He responds to C. J. Mahaney’s chapter on suffering in Living the Cross Centered Life. Small world: I just reviewed that chapter Wednesday morning in a men’s discipleship group, and we’re studying “Suffering and Sovereignty” in our midweek Bible studies all summer. Anyway, I cross post it here with Larry’s permission, but ask that you comment on it at his place. Thanks, Larry!

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The Cross and Suffering

In our time of deepest affliction, none of us find comfort by endlessly focusing on that suffering. There’s an element of mystery in all our suffering, and in this life we can’t fully understand it, yet we face a subtle temptation to relive and review our suffering. That’s an exercise that will never bring rest and release. What will bring rest and release is spending more time meditating on the cross and the God of the cross (C. J. Mahaney, Living the Cross-Centered Life, p. 98).

I disagree. Mahaney is wrong.

There is nothing subtle about the temptation to relive and review our suffering. It is an in-your-face temptation that screams loudly because it addresses you at your greatest point—the self-pity that drives you to focus on how your are unjustly suffering.

Other than that, Mahaney is dead on.

You will never relieve suffering by reliving suffering.

Reliving it brings some strange perverted sense of comfort. Why? I have no idea, other than the face that it allows us to focus on the most important thing in our lives—us. But I know that in the midst of suffering (spiritual, emotional, or physical), there is comfort in dwelling on it, reliving it, and talking about it.

But it doesn’t really help.

Focusing on the cross puts our suffering in perspective. Whatever you are suffering is nothing compared to what Jesus suffered on the cross. And whatever you are suffering will not separate you from the love of God. Furthermore, whatever you are suffering is part of God’s plan to mature you and prepare you for his service, both now and in eternity.

So in the midst of suffering, think about the cross. Remind yourself that God loves you and sent his Son for you, and having sent his Son, he will not now abandon you, neither to a life of ease or a life of suffering.

He who did not spare His own Son,
but delivered Him over for us all,
how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Romans 8:32

I’m Twittering (blush)

I’ve resisted using Twitter, essentially because the world is already too full of narcissistic ways to give “too-much-information.” (There’s a lot of truth to this.) However…

Piper’s recent statements regarding boasting and self-pity have convinced me that saying something spiritually significant in 140 characters or less can actually be a profitable exercise, both to help me think and write with precision and succinctness and perhaps to help others think on biblical concepts. I’ll not be tweeting about folding laundry or having an ingrown toenail, but I will occasionally post a quick meditation or link. If you’re interested in reading, my Twitter ID is ChrisOAnderson.

All Churches Should be Seeker-Sensitive

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Sound Words: Only In the Lord (on Interracial Marriage)

There was a time when many fundamentalist Christians argued against interracial marriage on presumably biblical grounds. It was believed that interracial marriage was an attempt to rebel against God’s division of the races at Babel and a foretaste of the sinful uniting of humanity against God that will characterize the rule of the antichrist.

Such arguments against interracial marriage are flawed on a number of levels, particularly because they arise from a mishandling of the Scriptures. They wrongly assume that there is more than one human race (an idea which Mark Perry effectively disproves in this month’s feature article (Reconciling Scripture and the Problem of Racism). Further, they wrongly assert that the distinctions made by God in Genesis 11:9 were physical and final, when in fact they were linguistic, geographical, and reversible. No one would argue, for example, that a European whose native language is German is forbidden on the basis of Genesis 11 from marrying one whose native language is English, or whose native land is Australia. The distinctions made at Babel were neither physical nor absolute. Finally, the union of mankind under the antichrist and against God will be sinful, political, economic, and religious, not ethnic (Revelation 13 and 17).

Does Scripture teach that there is a factor which prohibits marriage between men and women with deep-rooted differences? Absolutely. But that factor is spiritual, not physical.

Michael Jackson, The Sinner’s Prayer, and Christmas Decorations

You can’t make this stuff up. Christianity Astray just posted an article (citing a Bully! Pulpit article) speculating that Michael Jackson may have trusted Christ during a meeting with Andrae and Sandra Crouch a few weeks before his death . That would be wonderful news. Genuinely. Here’s the thing: what Jackson was after at the time was the anointing of the Spirit for his upcoming concert tour. The CT article explains:

“According to an Andrae Crouch spokesperson, Jackson ‘asked for prayer concerning the anointing of the Holy Spirit . . . So Andrae and Sandra explained to him about the anointing and about Jesus.’

But did the legendary singer pray to receive Christ? The Crouch spokesman responded: ‘He did NOT reject Jesus or the prayer when (we) prayed, and gladly joined in prayer . . . There was NO actual ‘sinners prayer’ however, but they did talk and pray about Jesus and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.’”

I’ve not heard a conversion account like that before. It’s very…optimistic. On the other hand, if you’re looking for fruit indicative of repentance, both articles note that Jackson still had Christmas decorations up in his home. That’s good to know.

In all seriousness, Mr. Jackson’s eternity is sealed. Though I’d love to be mistaken on this point, it appears that he died without knowing Jesus Christ, and therefore faces a hopeless eternity. That makes his death even more tragic than his life—and that’s saying something.

For those interested in knowing how sinners can have peace with God through Jesus Christ, this 25-minute mp3 unpacks the Bible’s teaching about sin, salvation, and eternal life. Give it a listen!

Mark Minnick on Danger Signs of Ministerial Professionalism

One of the blessings of pastoral ministry is the unrivaled privilege of engaging in in-depth Bible study on a daily basis. Others can and should dig into the Word, of course, but we get to do it as our vocational calling. This privilege brings with it a danger, as well. We can easily succumb to the temptation to study the Scriptures merely as pastors and not simply as Christians. With that danger in mind, Pastor Mark Minnick warned the men at the recent OBF Pastor’s Conference of 6 warning signs of ministerial professionalism:

1. Do you study and read the Bible only to prepare sermons?
2. Are you more occupied with books about the Bible than with the Bible itself?
3. Do you become unduly anxious about each coming Lord’s Day’s sermons?
4. Do you feel that you are finished with a Bible passage when your sermon is finished?
5. Are you regularly satisfied to repeat or retool previous messages?
6. Do you seek your joy in places other than Bible study (e.g. studying as a joyless duty, then seeking pleasure elsewhere)?

I Lost. Of Course.

Optimism lost out to Perspective. There’s something very instructive about that, I suppose.

Thanks for voting. Or if you didn’t, thanks for your part in yet another crushing defeat. Story of my life. Sigh.

(Perhaps I’ve been reading too many Demotivators?) :)

Interesting: Douglas Wilson and Separation from Disobedient Brothers

This strikes me as interesting, though I initially didn’t pay it much attention. Douglas Wilson has been expressing concern over what appeared to be the ordination of a women minister by the PCA overseas. In fact, the church in question is not a PCA church, but is one with which the PCA cooperates—a union of which Wilson is critical. He seems to argue (at least in principle) for the sort of separation from compromising brothers that fundamentalists have espoused, especially with this closing line:

“So then the sum of the matter is that the PCA is not (yet) ordaining women to the ministry, but has no problem working closely with those who do.”

Update: Wilson has posted a clarification of his position here, where he argues (a) against cooperation though not necessarily in favor of hasty separation, and (b) for an approach to error in a denomination that amounts to “stay in and fight until you win or are kicked out.”At any rate, he sees an issue like church polity—or perhaps, more accurately, egalitarianism—as a dealbreaker for evangelical cooperation, even for the sake of missions and church planting. Again, interesting.

Please Vote for Me on Despair.com!

I am (I think) a finalist in a silly contest at Despair.com. The other night I got an email that they’re having a funny caption contest as part of their “Demotivator” series. Since sarcasm is my weakness, I entered:

“Optimism: The ability to deny the inevitable despite all evidence to the contrary.”

So…how about clicking here, and then voting for me (Optimism)? And how about voting once for each computer in your home or office? And how about asking your friends to do the same? (Blogging friends, you’re my last hope.) :)

(The User Name for the site is “rigged.” The Password is “voting.” Please hurry. There are just 2 more hours to vote. The contest ends at 3pm Eastern time today.)