Immigration Matters

by M. Daniel Carroll R.

In this familiar story, a priest and a Levite pass by a man who had been attacked by robbers. The scene and description were very realistic for those days, so the story would have immediately captured the audience’s attention. No motive is given for why the religious leaders avoided the injured man. After they depart from the scene, the anticipation would have been that the next person in the story be a common Jew, who would demonstrate a purer, simpler faith. Instead, surprisingly, that person is a Samaritan. The Samaritan not only stops to treat the wounds of the man, he also takes him to an inn, cares for the man there, and then promises to pay for anything that might be needed in his absence.

The question that had been posed to Jesus was, “Who is my neighbor?” The parable complicates what the scribe expected to hear. Whereas the original issue concerned identifying who is the neighbor that the scribe should love, Jesus leaves no doubt that in the parable it is the neighbor who loves, and he loves in very tangible ways. That neighbor, though, is a Samaritan, an enemy and scorned one. This is the neighbor who loves! The Samaritan, not the religious leaders (of whom the scribe was one!), sets the example. Jesus forces the scribe to acknowledge this truth by asking the obvious question, “Which of the three do you think was a neighbor...?” The scribe responds correctly, but he cannot bring himself to say “the Samaritan.” The merciful person is simply called “the one” (Lk 10:36, TNIV).

Jesus concludes their exchange by telling the scribe to emulate that neighbor, the Samaritan, in order to fulfill the love command (Lk 10:37). Once again, the people of God are taught about true faith through an encounter with one who is an outsider and rejected by their culture.

The epistles. The various letters Paul and others wrote can also orient our thinking on immigration. They teach that all Christians are sojourners, strangers in a strange land whose ultimate citizenship is found elsewhere (Php 3:20; Heb 13:14). First Peter speaks of believers as “foreigners and exiles” (1:1; 2:11, TNIV). This address could refer to the fact of our spiritual alienation from the surrounding culture, but research suggests that the recipients of this letter may have been literal exiles. If so, that legal standing in the Roman Empire added another layer of foreignness beyond their spiritual status as Christians.

In addition, hospitality is a fundamental Christian virtue. One mark of the faith is to be gracious to others (Rom 12:13; Heb 13:2; 1 Pet 4:9) — even our enemies (Lk 6:27-28; Rom 12:14, 20-21; 1 Pet 3:9). This quality is also one of the required character traits for those aspiring to be leaders in the church (1 Tim 3:2; Tit 1:8).

But what about Romans 13? I have left this New Testament text for last by design. In conversations that I have had with students, friends, and others, Romans 13:1-7 is often brought up to argue against allowing entry to undocumented Hispanic immigrants. To cross the border without the proper permission, it is said, is to break the law of the United States. Their presence in this country by definition, therefore, is illegal. In its crassest form, I have heard this as, “What is it about ‘illegal’ that you don’t understand?” If one begins here, any sensible discussion about Hispanic immigration is quickly aborted. It is my conviction that there is a series of prior considerations that must be dealt with before getting to issues of legality. One must get to legal matters eventually. Our country needs to make some decisions and to organize itself on these issues. Responses to the challenges of immigration for Christians, however, should arise from a set of beliefs and commitments defined by their faith.

The problem with referring to Romans 13 in isolation is twofold. First, many Christians read Romans 13 with the assumption that all the nation’s laws are inherently good and just. To obey them is then not only pleasing to God, it is common sense. And yet, we must not forget the declaration by the apostles Peter and John when faced with the question of obedience to the government: “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to [the legal authorities], or to [God]? You be the judges!” (Acts 4:19, TNIV).

Second, what can be missed when turning immediately to Romans 13 is the preceding chapter of Romans 12, which prefaces Paul’s words concerning human government and contrasts the mindset and life of Christians with what they encounter in society. Chapter 12 exhorts believers not to be shaped by the “pattern of this world”; they should serve others, practice hospitality, show love and have compassion, and even help their enemies (Rom 12:3-21). The government has a different agenda and set of rules. The Christian should respect that fact, but this does not mean sanctifying everything a human government decrees and does. One of the wonderful political privileges that the political system of the United States allows is the right to disagree with the government and to change laws or propose new and better legislation.

Motivated by their principles, Christians participate in this process all the time in multiple ways: at the ballot box; through publications; by organizing educational, legal, and civic organizations that would defend other points of view; and by participating in peaceful protests of many kinds for a host of causes. Each of these actions in its own way expresses reservations about the state of affairs and the things that the government is mandating.

Therefore, to quote Romans 13 on the immigration issue without nuance or biblical and historical depth simply will not do. I am not suggesting that we should take the presence of undocumented immigrants lightly, but that all Christians should search the Scriptures for guidance in evaluating the development of immigration policy and engaging its multifaceted set of problems. From that foundation, Christians could begin to move forward to the legal issues. From that starting point, discussion on legality cannot be limited just to questions about complying with the present laws. If the laws are problematic theologically, humanely, and pragmatically, and since everyone agrees that reform must come, the call to submit to the authorities in Romans 13 can be processed in fresh and constructive ways. Respect for the nation’s present laws is coupled with and informed by the move toward a new set of laws. As Christians participate in this change, in whatever fashion, they should do so self-consciously as Christians.

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Comments

Barry Odom

Well written. Clearly makes the point about the value of each and every human. That is not the debate here. In all of the examples of people moving from one place to another, they were subject to whoever was in power and the laws they would make.

As Christians, our hearts are to reach out to those people and help them as well as help change the culture they are fleeing. Not just change it to be like ours but to lift it up... make it better... help it to be such that it honors and values each human.

Legislation is to protect people and to keep people off the path that leads to harming others.

It is insufficient to change hearts.

The U.S. cannot make laws or over turn laws hoping that it makes them more like Christ. That is a heart issue.

Take the tradition of allowing "widows & orphans" to come into a filed that has been harvested and gather food for themselves. That is not hard and fast legislation. It is the product of a culture that recognizes that some of us experience difficulty and it creates space for us to "choose" generosity.

Suppose, word got out that it was all the free grain you could carry down at the corner field. Then the system collapses. That's what we have with the immigration problem.

The laws are not saying that those people aren't valuable. The laws protect the system that enables people to be generous.

In addition, we cannot force people to observe the "widow and orphan" grain rule. That is not a work of the heart. That is one person assigning someone else to be generous.

I think your article is an eloquent way of guilting people into being generous.

We should be intentional about helping those in distress and in need but we should teach them Ephesians 4:28 if they ever really want to live the life that is full and meaningful. - " 4:28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need."

It's both/and.

Michael Batley

"Sooner or later, immigration requires legislation"

You said it. And I believe for the good of the undocumented immigrants, for those who pursued legal means to be here in this country, and for it's citizens that time is now.

Let's be honest we all are "Mutts." I'm half German, one quarter Irish and one quarter English. I have immigrant roots. But like Barry said in the comment above the immigrant wave is threatening to crush the system. Beyond economic issues New Mexico, California, Florida, Arizona and Texas all face incredible burdens on their health systems, education systems and human services systems. In Arizona alone they are facing a literal ecological catastrophe (the state's own words) from waste and garbage dumped by tens of thousands of illegal immigrants stealing across the border--monthly!

And it is not like immigration in the past where new comers saw the absolute advantage to learn the language and assimilate in order to get ahead. Today we see an increasing "Balkanization" of our country as these immigrants (especially illegal ones because to assimilate may mean being discovered) collect and concentrate in familiar communities.

The overwhelming numbers--here by the means of law breaking--threaten health, education, ecology and social services.

I suggest a higher goal for the Christian community than merely generosity. That would be call on our government to actually design a thoughtful, efficient process that allows immigrants we need to enter this country legally. Remember that the historical success of our country was the work, toil and risk taken by immigrants. I don't see that changing in our future. I want people to come here who are willing to work hard, risk, and assimilate. Right now I know from friends who are Russian, South African and Ukrainian how long, hard and arduous the process is to citizenship. They feel deeply betrayed that they had to undertake that process while those here illegally are rewarded with driver's licenses, food stamps and health care. That process need to be streamlined and humanized. To work for that would be truly culture changing and compassionate.

In the meantime, until that happens, I have to agree with Arizona. They must do what the Federal Government won't or can't do to protect legal citizens and their system.

Loran E. Scott

I fully agree with the first three respondents! However, there is another part to this situation to which I think we need to give attention.

The desire for "illegals" to immigrate to the USofA is caused by the lack of support and opportunity in their own country. Many of these people are faithful in sending "home" a part of their income here; thus, I suggest that there is a loyalty to their own country as well as to their families there. Perhaps we should be putting pressure on the 'Mexican' (and others) governments to begin to do something for their own citizens. Are there ways in which we can support and encourage that to happen? The President of Mexico works at the idea of our helping "his" people by letting them come over here illegally to work. This is wrong-headed --- what is the Mexican government doing to solve their problem? And it is their problem that is causing people to want to come here!

I, too, am the product of immigration -- Scotch and Irish -- not too many years ago. My forefathers got busy and helped build the communities to which they came legally -- with all the proper documents, etc. They became "Americans" in every way! I stand, today, in a tradition within our family of hard work and selfless giving to many charitable causes within the communities in which we have lived. My family still lives and farms the land we obtained in 1870 -- some of it by charter from Indian tribes! Some of grandfather's brothers lived on little more than bread and water while obtaining degrees from our local university. I value and understand that kind of commitment to this land of freedom.

However, we have lived within the bounds of the laws of this land and my great grand-father became a judge within the legal system in his day --- because our state's legislature assured him of their support! "Rights" were never an issue --- the freedom to survive and excel by approved relationships and energy were the issue for him, and for the families that followed.

Today, I am a retired Christian pastor (retreaded) and I find that we have failed to do the mission work that is needed --- to help our neighbors within their legal residential areas nearby. We go to Africa or Asia with excitement for the work of Christian missions while our neighbors, who need so much, get so little of our attention --- except to complain about our treatment of them. We need to be helping them in THEIR homeland instead of permitting them to destroy our ability to be good neighbors here in our homeland! The pressure being placed upon our border states is unconscionable in the destruction of their economies, society and faithfulness by such illegal immigration. May God help us for our failure to do what we should have done long ago -- and may He show us a way to resolve the current problem.

Closing the border and stopping the destruction of our American system is but a beginning point --- and I do support the Arizona legal action to do just this!

--- and may the peace of Jesus Christ be with you all! -- Loran E. Scott

Luis Arredondo

Mr. Carroll

thank you for posting this, well put together.

Mr. Odom

concerning your quotation of Eph 4:28. 1. first you say that we must "teach" them to observe these things. The first problem would be asking are we as Christians have that role.. instead of being generous to teach them these Christian principles? (by the way that sounded its like saying they are all lazy and dont work- which would be hard to support) is this what you see Jesus doing? do you see Him before He blessed someone "be righteous" then come back? You and I my brother would be in a whole lot of problems.

2nd This passage about stealing etc, about working with their hands is a problematic statement also because this is a very arguable point to say that they come here to steal instead of work hard, to say overall all these undocumented people come to steal and that is their inner heart. I would suggest that many if not most come here to provide for their families, so its either see their family perhaps in extreme cases die or break a law, while risking their life to come here to work hard and provide for them.

3rd." The U.S. cannot make laws or over turn laws hoping that it makes them more like Christ. That is a heart issue."

These laws that we want to support is not for "them" to make them more like Christ, is for us, to treat people more like Christ would. you are correct it is a heart issue.

here is another scripture to consider: James 2:14-16, I can give many scriptures that talk about encourging us "believers/Christians" to be givers, generous yes even if its costly, can they all be disclaimed by simply saying it does not apply to everyone.

Mr. Batley:

Do you know the process for the "blue collar" workers who are undocumented is? Do you know how many people with their background are allowed into this country?

let me help, if of the 20 million (or whatever #) would go through the "right" process they would not be accepted.there is no room in the law to allow that. does that make them right to be here? of course not. Does that mean that if they dont do things right we cant apply the biblical principals we read earlier?

The system is broken like you said we do need legislation. We must do something with the people that are already here, what would you say that is? Sending all back is not the christian way to do this, or is it? please help me understand it with biblical basis. because they are "destroying" this country is not one, I cant argue with extra biblical concepts because that is a very debatable issue "if they are really a help to this country or not"I think this forum is to deal with Biblical concepts and ideas.

Loran Scott

thank you for what you and your church are doing in order to help others, may God bless you and your family.

I do agree that we must help the home countries to best deal with their issues.

For ALL

with all due respect I request that you meet some people who are here "illegally" and dialogue with them about why they came here.. invite them to your churches (even if they are sinners) get to know people and their stories and pray for them.

We can discuss this topic here but it should be based in our source of guidance God's timeless word (not social economic views- those have other platforms)

Philippians 4:7 Peace of God

Michael Batley

Luis Arredondo

Thank you for your comments...but let me ask you in return. What does the Scriptures say about obeying the laws of the Kings that you are under? Does not Scripture teach that God put those ruler in place? Again, if people are here for economic reasons, why are we fighting that issue here? Where is the outrage and 100,000 person marches and essays and blogs about the injustice in Mexico that is driving people here?

We were here under the Reagan administration and amnesty was granted. I don't doubt for a second that another amnesty will be the only solution. This is too great a "furball" to untangle. No way we can really send however many millions back. (Nor would I want to for the record, many contribute to our country in significant ways!...yes, we need them).

But is this the best we can really do? A awful cycle of outrage and amnesty all the while the laws of our land are eroded? While States like Arizona, New Mexico, California, Florida and Texas are literally being bankrupt due to this problem? While those who keep the laws, and pay their taxes are forced by this "hidden tax" to cover law breaking actions? Where is the justice in that?

C'mon we have to do better. Compassion is great--really, but does is always have to trump justice and integrity? What about the rule of law? What about obeying authorizes that God in His sovereignty put in place?

Again, this started because we were encouraged to action...but how about a better action of a human process being designed and developed to accept those willing to make this country, their country. How about working for a bigger solution that compassion to a situation that is broken.

Luis Arredondo

Mr. Batley

great question and concerns, I really enjoy searching God's "blueprints" for our lives through His word.

thank you for the question

1. obey the laws of the land .. Romans 13:1-7 right on. We are called to obey, but in the same scriptures God gives us more clarification knowing that there would be countries that consequently would have laws that go against God's character for example: in a extreme case Nazi Germany had many bad ones and even then many "Christians" simply turned their eyes from that. BY NO MEANS would I Say this is the same situation, simply parallels to "un godly" laws.. then what should we do?

well thankfully we have Acts 5:27-40 .. (please read) simply saying "We must obey God rather than man" .. so if we see that a law is treating people less than in the image of God, separating their families then we must act against it.

2. God has blessed this nation that is why people want to come, this is really not the forum that I will like to get into a discussion about what is Mexico doing etc..

3. States that are bankrupt: this again is a political topic that I will not get into. but would only say that there is a big debate if these "undocumented people" are helping or not the economy.. for the benefit of the discussion I would say they are NOT HELPING the economy then we must look at why not? if they are accounted for then can they pay taxes? say if we extend amnesty should their be a "FEE" that would help the state deal with some issues ( i paid 2K ) to fix my papers.. imagine if all undocumented paid 3-4K if they want to fix their papers?

I know plenty of "illegals" that have been paying taxes for 20 yrs.. and social security taken from their checks, retirement, and all that they will not see because they are using a FAKE Social Security Number.. Does the IRS know .. I imagine yes, but they are getting money from them. (not all of course- but could be)

so with that point you made i agree we need to fix that problem in order for them to be people that attribute to society instead of "outlaws, law breakers" etc.

4.. does compassion have to trump justice and integrity..

The God that I know has given us GRACE.. meaning that we have received what we do not deserve.. are we commanded to give grace? cant force you to do that, can only suggest to you remember what God has given us, remember the examples in the Bible with people being generous & forgiving. read Mat 20:1-16 and ask God for what the principle might be here.

5. "better action of a human process" I could not agree MORE.. yes we do need to have a better process the one that we have right now is causing problems.

what you mention has so many connotations that I cant address them all here, but let me suggest that their is a way to "fix" these problems.

exp: you may say "why do these people not speak English" people that come to work in contrast to immigrants from other countries are not educated well meaning dont speak English.. when we come to this country we must stay in "communities" in order to have some type of protection, life etc. Solution: if we treat "undocumented" people like humans or part of the society then they could feel free to integrate to this society and not be in hiding etc.

you may say " why dont they go through the immigration process like everyone else"

I would suggest that 95% of the people that come to work in this country would not be allowed to come with the current Visa allotment that is in place in this country.. so that is currently not an option for them.. ok let me give you an example: i have family that had to come because it was between seeing their family in Mexico suffer to the point of dieing because of improper medical care.. so they had a choice to stay there and not be able to provide for their families (1 moral issue) VS breaking a law to come to this country --putting their life in risk to come and WORK hard to provide for them.. and they are still labeled as "outlaws, criminals" and many other things..

I can go for a while on this..

once again thank you for your thoughts I look forward discussing the "blue prints" God has given us not only to search His heart but also to help us be His hands and feet in this world.

shalom

Brian

Excellent article on a tough subject matter that me and my brothers have talked about repeatedly. For me at the end of all the arguments for legislation one way or the other, I keep comming back to what would I do. I like to think I would be like the Samaritan that helps the beaten traveler, regardless of legislation. My prayer and belief is that there are many more individuals out there with that same idea. I have a deep seated mistrust for any large entity with man at the helm, whether that is government, or religious institutions. I don't believe morality can be legisltated, but we most certainly are convicted of it individually in our hearts by God.

james

Another great example of innovation, I am glad to find it. There are so many developers working on this segment but this is one of the best innovative idea ever. Thanks for sharing it here.

jon

i love it!

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