Thinking Theologically About Immigration
June 22, 2010 – 3:16 pmI highly recommend that all believers, and especially church and educational leaders, read Alejandro Mandes’ article “Thinking Theologically About Immigration“ (pp. 4-5, 9) in the Spring/Summer 2010 issue of Dallas Theological Seminary’s Kindred Spirit magazine.
Dr. Mandes acknowledges the tension American believers face when thinking through the sticky issue of immigration. But is the immigration question unique to our times? What does the Bible have to say about immigration? He challenges believers to hold the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20) and the Great Commandment (Matt 22:37-40) before them as they work through their personal response to immigration.
In response to the question “How do we live out our biblical mandates?”, Dr. Mandes gives three responses:
- We must remember that immigrants were made in the image of God. That means in all our dealings we must treat them with dignity.
- We must keep in focus the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
- We must emulate Paul’s actions in the first century as we walk the fine line between compassion and execution of the law.
He goes on to describe Paul’s actions regarding a runaway slave, Onesimus as recorded in Paul’s letter to Philemon. He concludes that “Paul, rather than turning in Onesimus or staying aloof from him, stayed on mission. The result was fruit. And the result was obedience in all spheres - first to the gospel, then to compassion, then to civil law” (p. 5).
Dr. Mandes concludes with extended thoughts summarized in the following key words: speak, pray, love, serve, share, enjoy, envision.
Read the entire article (pp. 4-5, 9).
The Q & A interview “Good Migrations?” with Michael Pocock is well worth your time as well. He gives examples of immigrants in the NT: Mary and Joseph in Egypt and Jesus’ alienation as a carpenter from lowly Nazareth. [Others would include Israel's tenure in foreign lands, Nehemiah, Daniel, Paul's journey in foreign lands, the Jewish diaspora across the Roman world due to persecution, etc.]
Pocock also points out that Americans aren’t the only ones dealing with immigration issues; 35% of global migrants end up in Europe, while 23% end up in America.
He concludes that
whether it is hospitality to strangers (Rom. 12:13), or entertaining those who cannot repay us (Luke 14:12-14), doing good to all persons (Gal. 6:10), or considering all people equally no matter their culture or ethnicity (Col. 3:10-11), the Bible speaks to our attitude toward those of other races and cultures. We should be very careful not simply to go with the conventional wisdom of people around us, nor should we follow racist thinking. We should love our neighbors as ourselves, not intellectualizing nor spiritualizing, but in concrete expression to whomever is in our community on whatever basis.
Read all of Dr. Pocock’s interview (pp. 6-9).
Another resource on this subject: “What Does the Bible Teach on Immigration? An Interview with James Hoffmeier”
Related Missions Mandate resources on the topic Immigration:
Muslim Demographics Video: Reviewed
Urban Ministry and Racial Reconciliation - particularly Jason’s message on racial reconciliation based on Eph 2:11-21
