By M. Daniel Carroll R.
The immensity of this human dilemma should drive Christians to the Scriptures to see what God might have to say about engaging the stranger.
Immigration has been a hot political issue in this country for the last several years. Some in the media can be a bit shrill, labeling newcomers as part of a “tidal wave” or an “invasion” of foreigners. Heated and exaggerated rhetoric, of whatever persuasion, is not helpful and is not becoming for Christians.
What might a self-consciously Christian position on the topic look like, one that doesn”t consist simply of a few Bible verses tacked on to the secular arguments that dominate the national debate?
A Global Perspective
A helpful starting point is to recognize that the history of humanity is the history of migration. People, whether as individuals, families, or larger groups, have been on the move since the beginning. The motivations to leave one area and go to another land have been the same throughout the centuries: hunger, conflict, persecution, natural disasters, lack of employment, or the desire for a better life. It is no different today.
The United Nations estimates that more than 210 million people are migrating worldwide. This figure includes refugees, asylum-seekers, the internally displaced, and those moving to other countries. This phenomenon is impacting countries on every continent in multiple ways. So, the first step in tackling the immigration challenge is to be aware that this is not solely a U.S. problem. It is human reality. The questions that need to be asked in light of these facts, therefore, should be: In a world where many needy millions are searching for a new life, how should Christians respond? What is the responsibility of the church?
The immensity of this human dilemma should drive Christians to the Scriptures to see what God might have to say about engaging the stranger. To the surprise of many, the Bible has a lot to say about this topic, and that biblical material should orient Christian attitudes and responses.
A Biblical Perspective
Where should we start our investigation of the Bible? We should not limit the biblical contribution to Romans 13:1-5 and questions of legality. While these are very important, the breadth of the Bible can inform us how to approach these complex issues.
Immigration is about people. Let”s start at the beginning of the Bible. Genesis 1:26-28 reveals that all human beings are made in the image of God. We are God”s representatives on earth and have the capacity to “rule” over the rest of creation. Every person””including the immigrant””has worth and the unique potential to contribute to society and the common good.
Discussions on immigration, then, need to appreciate, above all else, that the fate of people is at stake, and people have infinite value in God”s sight and can add to the country because of their capacities and gifts. Immigration is not about a faceless group of newcomers. It is about persons whom God has made and for whom Christ died.
Old Testament narratives. The Old Testament has several accounts of people migrating from one place to another.
The story of the chosen people starts with Abram”s trek to another land (Genesis 11:31-12:5; 23:4; cf. Deuteronomy 26:5). His descendants would leave that promised land for the same reasons people migrate today. Abraham”s and Jacob”s families went to Egypt looking for food (Genesis 12, 42, 43). The desperate ends to which some will go to survive explains, in part, why Abram asked his wife, Sarai, to lie and say she was his sister. He and all those with him were hungry; the only other option was to turn around and travel the desert again (Genesis 12:10-20).
Naomi and her family left Bethlehem and traveled to Moab because there was a famine in the land (Ruth 1:1, 2). Others were forced to migrate against their will. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37). Years later, thousands were taken into exile, when Assyria conquered Israel (2 Kings 17) and Babylon took Judah (2 Kings 24, 25).
We also find stories of the assimilation of these sojourners into their host cultures. These are not easy processes, and they are not all alike. Joseph was given an Egyptian name, married an Egyptian, and had children by her, but he gave his two sons Israelite names (Genesis 41). He was so “Egyptianized” that his brothers did not recognize him, but Joseph still understood and spoke his mother tongue (Genesis 42).
When Naomi returned home, Ruth accompanied her. Ruth, who had married an immigrant (one of Naomi”s sons), became the immigrant. Ruth”s story was about her becoming part of the community of Bethlehem. Eventually she married Boaz, a native-born kinsman of Naomi.
Jeremiah counseled the exiles to invest in their new surroundings and to plan to stay awhile (Jeremiah 29). Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah were born in exile. Esther never thought about returning to the land, and Mordecai needed to remind her of her obligations to her people. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, but returned to again serve the Persian king. Ezra, a priest, led a group back to Judah, not wanting to assimilate at all to Persian life.
Life in foreign lands could be difficult, even if occasionally tinged with success. The Israelites in Egypt suffered as slaves after being welcomed centuries earlier. Egypt wanted their labor, but was frightened by their growing numbers, and so Egypt passed harsh laws to control that immigrant population (Exodus 1-5).
Daniel distinguished himself under several kings in Babylon but was not accepted by everyone (Daniel 6).
The fact that Mordecai sat at the city gate indicated he was a man of some means in Susa, but he and the Jews became targets of a government official, Haman.
Not all, however, endured shame and suffering. Joseph rose to prominence in Egypt; Esther became queen of the Persian Empire; Nehemiah was cupbearer to Artaxerxes; and Ezra and Ezekiel ministered freely among the exiles.
These accounts demonstrate that the people of God in the Old Testament were characterized often by movement. Migration defined much of their history.
The care of outsiders also figured predominately in Old Testament Law.
Old Testament Law. The Hebrew term ger (alien, sojourner) referred to those who move in from elsewhere to live among the Israelites (the new Common English Bible translates the term as “immigrant”). This could mean someone from another part of the country, but usually it referred to someone from elsewhere. The Law contained provisions to help them become part of their new community.
Concern for the sojourner in ancient Israel made sense. In that agrarian peasant world, without the existence of government services like today, people in need had to turn to extended family for support in case of sickness, childbirth, death, bad harvests, and other disasters. Outsiders had no such safety net. Their outsider status also meant they were excluded almost entirely from the land tenure system, where land was passed down through the sons. Not having land meant it was necessary to work as a hired hand. These factors meant outsiders depended on the Israelites for work, sustenance, and protection.
To respond to these challenges the Law provided periodic rest from work (Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:14), a fair and timely wage (Deuteronomy 24:14, 15), provision for food (Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; 24:19-21), and fairness in legal matters (Deuteronomy 1:16, 17; 24:17, 18). Sojourners also could participate in several religious feasts. This integration into Israelite society would have required that they learn the language and customs of Israel. The prophets denounced those who mistreated the sojourner (Jeremiah 7:5-7; 22:2-5; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5). They also spoke of a time when these sojourners would enjoy greater incorporation into national life (Ezekiel 47:21-23; cf. Isaiah 56:1-8).
Why were the Israelites to concern themselves about these outsiders, who had moved into their midst? The Law offered two motivations.
First, the Israelites were to remember that they had once been mistreated as foreigners in Egypt (Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:33, 34). If the Israelites forgot those historical experiences, it would be easy to repeat those same attitudes of rejection and exploitation against those who were now moving in.
Second, and more importantly, they were to love the sojourner, because God did (Deuteronomy 10:17-19). God said he loves the foreigner, giving them “food and clothing.” Of course, these concrete expressions of that love would have to come via the generous hand of his people.
The New Testament. There is also relevant material in the New Testament. Jesus began his life as a refugee in Egypt. He and his parents fled Bethlehem to escape Herod, and they lived for a time in that foreign land (Matthew 2). Jesus migrated from Heaven to earth (John 1:10-12; Philippians 2:5-11) and from Galilee in the north to the cross in Jerusalem (John 1:46; 7:40-52).
In his teaching, Jesus demonstrated sensitivity to those whom the rest of society marginalized, such as the sick, women, children, tax collectors, and soldiers. For our purposes, the best illustration of his willingness to interact in meaningful ways with those who were different was his treatment of the Samaritans (Luke 17:11-19; John 4). The Samaritans and the Jews despised each other. Jesus illustrated what it meant to be a neighbor, whom Jews were to love, with the illustration of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)!
In Matthew 25, Jesus connects the final judgment to the treatment of the “stranger” (vv. 35, 38, 43, 44). The term he uses is xenos (from which we derive xenophobia). Although this passage is cited to defend immigrant rights, it seems that “the least of these” and “brothers” (vv. 40, 45, New American Standard Bible) in Matthew might refer more specifically to Jesus” disciples (10:42; 12:48, 49; 18:6, 10, 14; 28:10). If that is true, these “strangers” are those who suffer for Jesus” sake. Millions of immigrants in the United States are Christians, but to apply the passage to all immigrants may stretch its intent.
In the Epistles, Christians are told to be gracious to others (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). This virtue of hospitality should distinguish the leadership of the church (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). Christians, too, are citizens of another kingdom (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 13:14)””all the more reason to extend a hand to those without citizenship on earth.
Peter declares that all Christians are “aliens” and “strangers” (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11, NASB). In other words, migration is a key metaphor for what it means to be a Christian! This is a powerful statement, which should give us pause. To appreciate the nature and trials of the life of immigrants is to better understand the ways of faith. For most, this is an abstract idea; for immigrants, the metaphor is a lived reality! This is another, and surprising, reason to get to know immigrants and extend them grace.
A Missional Perspective
This short summary of the biblical material makes it clear that there is much food for thought! But there are other reasons to rethink the immigrant issue. Churches and denominations around the country are being revitalized by the presence of millions of new Christians from immigrant communities. We are witnessing new church plants, the creation of leadership and training programs, and the proliferation of Christian radio and literature aimed at these recently arrived populations. Missiologists now speak of diaspora missiology, where these groups in the United States (and worldwide) are being seen not only as the targets for mission outreach, but also as potential partners to mobilize for evangelism and other endeavors.
The challenge is to get a vision of the immigrant reality as a missional possibility.
A Legislative Perspective
By way of conclusion, let”s return to the legislative element touched on at the beginning. If we gain a more positive view toward immigrants because of what has been presented in this article, then we will look at legislation differently. Instead of emphasizing punitive measures, new legislation could be crafted that better organizes both the border and entry, while at the same time facilitating in more constructive ways the incorporation into society of immigrants who already are here.
That requires some form of reform to current immigration law. What will that look like? Nobody knows, but the conversation””informed by divine revelation, permeated with Christian charity, and spurred by political courage””needs to begin.
M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), is Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Denver (Colorado) Seminary. He is the author of Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible (which has been translated into Spanish), and a national spokesperson on immigration for the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the Hispanic partner of the National Association of Evangelicals.
In my blog, I recently discussed this topic and concluded with the following remarks:
“One of the problems I am seeing in our immigration mess is that neither the American citizen population nor the alien (uninvited) “guests” are willing to do what Moses taught Israel to do. American citizens are outraged at the “invasion” of aliens (hence laws such as the Arizona law that received mixed results in the Supreme Court). But, on the other hand, the aliens are, in many instances, insisting on remaining “alien” ““ and yet demand to be treated as honored guests.
“What is the solution? A political solution will be extremely difficult. Emotions are high on all sides of the issue.
“One thing a Christian can do is to attempt to fulfill Jesus”™ command to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. In coming to this command, we need to remember that when the Pharisee asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with the story of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan, of course, was an uninvited foreigner traveling a Judean road when he met the man who had fallen among thieves and befriended him.
Another thing we can do is to attempt to lower the emotional temperature by mentally putting ourselves in the place of the person who illegally crossed the border to find a way of feeding his family. What would you do if your family were hungry ““ and there was wealth beyond your experience or imagination just a few miles away across an unguarded border?”
You can read my entire post at http://committedtotruth.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/how-should-christians-view-illegal-aliens/ or just go to committedtotruth.wordpress.com and scroll down to find this post.
I truly appreciate this kind of dialogue. The more we can talk or the more we can share with one another, hopefully people who support or for whatever reason is uncomfortable with immigration or do not support immigration will cease being demonized. I have grown up surrounded by huge populations of Hispanic people. I have worked the fields as a small boy and teenager in order to earn spending money and money for school clothes. I have grown up around people who probably consider themselves ”rednecks.”I have never known one of these self described rednecks’ or anyone for that matter who is against illegal immigration is that concerned about legal immigration. Most of the people that I gtew up with would be considered poor and the family I grew up in would certainly be considered poor and we always shared what we had.
Even today I don’t really hear people complaining about legal immigration unless it is complaints about the special visas that are being handed out to special workers coming in to the technology industry. Of course this has to do with jobs and competition for employment. I’ve heard testimony after testimony in front of Congress where people who can work in the computer industry and who are U.S. citizens will not be hired because management is hiring people from countries like India who are mass producing graduates in the field of technology. These graduates are willing to take less benefits and $20,000 less than a U.S. employee to start. When I’ve heard people concerned about the illegal immigration that is happening they’re worried about crime, taxes to cover the huge cost in Medical Care and schooling. People concerned about drugs coming in to the country and the possibility of terrorist coming in through our borders. These are old concerns but continued to be legitimate concerns. It is a fact that California is $16,000,000,000 in the red this year and businesses are leaving because of taxation and regulations and poor people are still coming here from across the borders. Our state cannot afford to care for these people that is the schools, medical needs and emergency needs. People are legitimately worried. For example more than 25% of the people in our prisons and jails are illegal. Our prisons and jails are so crowded that they’re letting people out short of their full sentences and mistakes have been made. Our country is sending huge amounts of aid to Mexico and Mexico is rich with resources but the Mexican government will not use the resources to help their poor. The real issue for me is not to demonize or call people racist because we have questions or concerns. Gandhi said ”honest disagreement is the beginning of true progress”’ It is obvious that God is not concerned with Borders or the color of one’s skin or ethnic background. We are sons and daughters of God. This is a fallen world and I can’t help believing that our borders and our attitudes are a result of sin entering the world. Hopefully we can have the discussions and focus on those real passages in the bible where Jesus instructs us to care for our brothers and sisters. I just feel uncomfortable with hearing many of the people I know being afraid to share their true feelings. Thank you so much for your article and your courage. God bless you. Charles Corky Riley, LMFT
I just feel that as a working citizen the way the economy is, we need to put our own people to work. There are too many of us looking for jobs and, these immigrants are working. These employers and, government need to understand that!
Jesus left clear directives…although they may not agree with our own way of doing things and seeing things.
“Love your neighbor as yourself”….”Remember, you were an alien” and “They will know you are Christians by your LOVE” do not leave us much wiggle room.
Economic realities and unemployment figures pale in my estimation to God’s economy. I believe when we follow His commands, these issues will be resolved by God. How can I say I love God, and hate my neighbor?
A very poor and wordy argument. I love all people, no matter where they were born. Romans 13: 1-5 is absolutely relevant and obviously, in God’s economy, necessary. At best you’ve proof texted at worst you’ve used many scriptures out of context. Deu 2:5 “Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as one footstep, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.” God tell’s Israel that they aren’t allowed to take anothers land. I use this example because many like to say God gave Israel their inheritance based on a special dictate for His chosen people, Deu 2:5 proves He gave land to sovereign peoples as their own. Yes, our immigration laws need fixed, but they are not against God’s laws so they stand by His authority.Love, help, money, etc., can be given to those in need where they are. If people choose to break the law and come here and are in dire straights then yes we should help them. Then they should be returned to their homeland. Instead of twisting God’s word,, let’s follow it. Love and righteousness are of Christ, don’t use Jesus’ love against Him with weak arguments such as those stated in this article.
Thanks for that. I really enjoyed reading it. A good broad brush stroke review in a concise article as to Biblical understanding of immigration/migration.
I write from a UK perspective where this is a hot topic for the news at the moment.
Eric, you say ‘If people choose to break the law and come here and are in dire straights then yes we should help them. Then they should be returned to their homeland.’ I’m sorry but I don’t see the sending them back from where they came from argument in Scripture. I feel your worldview on this specific topic, is more formed from the papers you read and the items you watch on TV than on Christ’s teaching.
As Cookie Baker says, there’s not much wiggle room in Scripture on this one!
Eric, I disagree that the author poses a weak argument. Your argument, however, is weak. There are a lot of Christians saying, “Whatever they are dealing with is their government’s problem, not ours.” Or, “They hate us so why let them come here and sponge off of us like lazy bums?” These words are coming from so-called Christians’ mouths. You seem to either not know these things are coming from the mouths of believers or you are ignoring them.
While the verse was used out of context, I feel you are wrong about sending them back. If they are refugees coming from lands where they are being gunned down in the streets, will you feel comfortable sending then back into that? Or the cartels running crazy in some lands. Yes, America should take care of home first, but if we do that (with all the problems we have politically), when will we care and help others? To me that’s an excuse to be selfish. I have problems at home myself that I need to work on but, I still should help others who have it harder than myself. Isn’t that why we are here . . . to love others and help when they need it? The only time I hear Christians step in to help others is if a natural disaster hits their country. But most Christians are complaining about them coming here illegally instead of praying for God’s power over their country so that they can have better living situations (which is why they come here.)
A pastor once said something I strongly believe in. If you are not going to pray for people who are in need, then don’t complain when they lead by instinct. If Americans we’re in their shoes at extreme desperation for stability of some kind (yes, Americans, we may be needing stability here, but we need to count our blessings and acknowledge that our country is luxurious compared to others, so we need to be more grateful for what we have), needing to raise families (like us, but without crazy extremist groups trying to hunt down girls from trying to get an education or cartels), and Mexico was a place of better opportunity than where we are, many Christians who are bashing them, would run to Mexico as they do us. So treat others as you would want to be treated, when we need help we expect it, so give it when others need ours. (And yes, I am aware someone can say, ‘well that goes two ways, if Mexico wouldn’t want us running there trying to live then don’t run here.’ But based on the condition of your heart, you will know better than to allow such things to settle in your mind.)
I believe that in Christ, if you are going to preach that God will take care of us and that when you bless others’ lives you will get blessings so bless people. Then bless these people’s lives with better than they can get in their land. Show them the love of Christ, and PLEASE, for humanity, stop being hypocritical. Don’t preach love but them disrespect immigrants, or say things like, “They are lazy, thieves, stealing our jobs (which is not what they are doing, the companies are doing that), if we went to their country they would treat us horrible, so why are we treating them better than their government would treat us?, or say that’s their government’s problem, not ours. This is not Christlike thinking. If you are the great Christian you say you are, you should know God’s answer to these words.
I agree with cookie, how can you say you love God and not love other people, not just your country’s people, but the struggling immigrants who seek our help?
And btw, I meant to point out that American Christians pray for these people in times of natural disasters, which only happen every blue moon, but complain and bash them on things that hurt them every day. If we pray for them on the things that hurt them, which hurts God’s heart, then I believe God will help them and do a miracle in their land. But if you are not going to pray for their land, then don’t complain when they run here seeking refuge (and I mean true, wholehearted prayer out of love).
Leviticus 24:22 states:
“You are to have the same law for the foreigner and the native-born. I am the LORD your God.'”
God’s Word clearly stated that while foreigners were to be welcomed, they were expected to fully assimilate into society and follow the same laws as the Israelites.
One of the big problems we have in the U.S. is foreigners coming here, legally or illegally, and demanding that our government and society accommodate the practices and traditions of the country which they left. Many Muslims are even wanting the courts to use Sharia Law when dealing with Muslims.
To make exceptions and different sets of rules for different people spells destruction for a country, which is bad for everyone.
Great point, Natalie! Recognizing these responses were left over the period of years, sentiments are widely varied, it seems. I fear that we, as Christians, often lack the common sense that comes with a proper perspective. Romans 13:1-5 is a very poignant reminder in our current scenarios here in America, with regards to expectations to be laid on any immigrant entering our borders. Also, it’s of note that any migration that happened in the OT either happened with the blessing of the ruler of that land (usually temporary stays), or as slaves of an invading king or kings, or as enemies to war with the people of that land. In the current scenario, with the President bringing in thousands of Syrian refugees, knowing which category to place them in is of great importance- whether they are willing to be assimilated and submit willingly to our laws and take the necessary oaths, or whether they will try to wreak havoc here as has been the case throughout Europe and the Middle East and further the causes of our enemies within our borders. Loving people does not bar us from using and operating with wisdom- in fact, our love (the love of God in us) should increase in us discernment (Phil 1:9-10). No where can you find, OT or NT, where an enemy of a territory was allowed to enter into said territory with that ruler’s blessing. Even when Israel sent spies into Jericho, as soon as the king of Jericho was made aware of their presence he sent men after the spies. Why? Because he knew they didn’t come in peace. So in his eyes, they didn’t belong in Jericho. Common sense. Some of the above perspectives would lead me to think these would have been allowed to remain unchallenged if they were in this king’s place. This perspective lacks wisdom and knowledge of the scriptures. In Judges, chapters 1 & 2, Israel is chided and reprimanded by God for driving out their enemies fully from their land- the Canaanites, among other groups- directly disobeying a command of the Lord to do so, and here’s what the Lord says, “Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they will be thorns (enemies to you) in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.'” (Judges 2:3). Then in Judges 3 we see these same nations Israel failed to drive out rising in war after war against Israel, God using them to teach Israel how to fight and to learn war. They were overcome many times, thus the need for raising up Judges to deliver them, and spent a good portion of Judges in captivity to these same nations. This went on for a long time. The Philistines were of this group and eventually produced the epic battle of David vs. Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. God can use anything to help us grow and learn the character and disciplines He would have us to walk in, but this doesn’t negate the fact that He originally commanded Israel to drive them out of the land! Had they obeyed God, they might not have had these same challenges and faced displacement as they have. “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition…” (I Cor 10:11). Let’s learn from these examples God has given us and not allow humanism to quiet God’s wisdom.
I am looking in the direction as to illegal immigrants breaking the law. How does God view that fact? I was reading in Romans 13:1-7 and it sounds like from a Biblical standpoint they are sinning because we are supposed to be subject to the governing authorities. I love everyone,but if I see something you are doing goes against God I feel like as a Christian I am to point that out. Am I on the wrong track?