Epicurious Lutheran

Driven by curiosity to taste the goodness of God

Biblical Reflection on Immigration and Our Response

I’ve been listening a lot to the debate over immigration. Whether we’re talking about the laws of the United States, border enforcement, supporting other countries to make immigration less attractive, what to do with people (adults and children) who are already in the United States, the effects on the economy, politics, safety/security or any other aspect of this issue, those of us who bear the name “Christian” approach all of these through the lens of the Bible and our faith in Jesus – this is where we start.

I realize that just opening this discussion up could be contentious. That is not my intent. I want us to explore together. There are likely verses that I haven’t looked at with an eye to immigration, but you may have.

In response to my post, I invite people to share Bible verses related to immigration. Simply list Bible verses and a brief sentence or two explaining how those verses apply to immigration and our response. Regardless of your personal perspectives, look into the Bible to find what it says whether it supports your view or not. Verses posted will not be construed by me as reflective of your personal views. In fact, I encourage you to find verses that challenge your personal views.

The purpose is for us to explore together as people of peace, and, hopefully, counteract the current public discourse marred by negativity, name-calling, blaming, and discord. We can have challenging yet peaceful public discourse … I just know it!

I invite respectful, civilized, and non-politicized comments. Again, I want to explore together what the Bible has to say about immigration. Those who want to bring in threats, arrogance and blame people or political parties, please post elsewhere as that kind of post prevents good conversation.

I will gather the Scriptures and post them in a list for those who would like to use them elsewhere. Unless you say otherwise, I may use your comments without your name associated with the comments.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7)

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prjeffwilson

ELCA Pastor Daddy Practical chef

9 responses to “Biblical Reflection on Immigration and Our Response”

  1. Megan P. Avatar
    Megan P.

    When I consider the immigration issue, Matthew 22: 34-40 stands out to me. The two great commandments – love God and love your neighbor. These verses stand out to me because the message seems a simple proclamation in how to live and interact with our world and community. It’s a simple statement, but there is deep difficulty of actually living it. I am grateful for a venue to have a respectful and thoughtful conversation about this heated topic! Thanks, Pastor Jeff.

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    1. prjeffwilson Avatar
      prjeffwilson

      Thank you, Megan. I’ve spent some time this afternoon looking at social statement from the Lutherans (ELCA), Mennonites, Roman Catholics and United Methodists. That’s about as far as I’ve gotten. These are worth a read. I’ve also found some Bible studies from various organizations. I’ll figure out how to post these resources 🙂

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  2. prjeffwilson Avatar
    prjeffwilson

    Just posted a few links to the official teachings of a few church bodies: https://prjeffwilson.wordpress.com/links/church-teachings-on-immigration/

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  3. Stephen Avatar
    Stephen

    I think Matthew 25:31-46 also applies (“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”) . It’s hard to turn away those in need–especially when it’s children who in many cases we’re sent away by their parents through not choice of their own.

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  4. Connie Houtz Avatar
    Connie Houtz

    I read the verses below as I found them and looked through several translations – ESV, NRSV, King James, RSV. Words like sojourner, traveller, alien, stranger pop up. There are many more references in the Bible I would like to explore further. I think immigrant (sojourner, alien, traveller, stranger) is addressed in these initial verses. I would like to find passages that apply to those who are not with us; those we need to reach out to beyond our borders. The message is the same whatever the wording is – reach out beyond ourselves and those we know, reach out with love and compassion; reach beyond our comfort zones.

    So I would pray that in this discussion we will seek wisdom of the Bible, of God, to discern the path of truth.

    Mark 12:30-31
    And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

    Leviticus 19:33-34
    When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

    Ezekiel 11:16
    Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.’

    Matthew 5:46-47
    For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?

    Matthew 25:35

    For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

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  5. Bettye Avatar
    Bettye

    Providing food. clothing and housing does not present a problem for me. My huge concern is that we will be rearing an extremely large group of individuals who will not have the nurturing, comfort and security that children need if they are to become well rounded individuals. That task appears overwhelming to me especially when we see the problems already of CPS in our own localities.

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    1. prjeffwilson Avatar
      prjeffwilson

      Thanks, Bettye. These are real concerns for sure. Do you have any scriptures that you think reflect what you’re saying, thinking and feeling?

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  6. Craig Lightner Avatar
    Craig Lightner

    Ephesians 2:12-13 New International Version (NIV)
    Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
    12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

    I liken our response to the thought, “how can one see the light unless they are introduced to the light.”

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  7. Stephen Avatar
    Stephen

    Though I would also add Romans 13:1-7 which speaks to the necessity for following the laws of man as part of duty to follow the laws of God (except in those cases where the laws of man are in direct defiance of the laws of God). Therefore, entering a sovereign nation on contravention of its laws would be a sin making illegal immigration wrong.

    That said, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God only to be saved by His Grace. (Romans 3:21-26).

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