Refuge, immigration, the Law, and the Gospel

[MoreCoffee]

There are lots of Syrian refugees in Europe, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and a host of other places because their country is torn apart by civil war and foreign troop incursions. It's been that way for seven years. There is no end in sight to the violence. In old testament times Israel was commanded to treat strangers kindly and to receive them because Israel was once in the same situation and needed a home and kindness so they were to apply the lessons that they learned and treat others kindly. And Jesus put the matter very directly when he said that Christians ought to treat others as they would want to be treated themselves thus reinforcing the provisions of the Law as far as kindness towards strangers is concerned. Yet here we are in 2018 with refugees and the public attitude is "They are a security risk so we don't want them here!" and even national leaders and some who aspire to be national leaders are fanning the flames of xenophobia. How ought Christians handle these perilous times?

 

[MennoSota]

There are lots of Syrian refugees in Europe, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and a host of other places because their country is torn apart by civil war and foreign troop incursions. It's been that way for seven years. There is no end in sight to the violence. In old testament times Israel was commanded to treat strangers kindly and to receive them because Israel was once in the same situation and needed a home and kindness so they were to apply the lessons that they learned and treat others kindly. And Jesus put the matter very directly when he said that Christians ought to treat others as they would want to be treated themselves thus reinforcing the provisions of the Law as far as kindness towards strangers is concerned. Yet here we are in 2018 with refugees and the public attitude is "They are a security risk so we don't want them here!" and even national leaders and some who aspire to be national leaders are fanning the flames of xenophobia. How ought Christians handle these perilous times?

The government is not Christian. The US is a post-Christian society. The government is in place to protect its citizenry.
The issue is not: "no immigrants." The issue is: "How does the government vet immigrants so that people, bent on terrorism, don't enter the nation.
Even in ancient Israel, the immigrant had to follow the law of Israel. They were not exempt from following the law.

 

[Albion]

Canada and Australia, which have not pulled their weight sufficiently in this area, ought to take them in.

 

[Josiah]

The USA has welcomed far more immigrants than any other nation on the planet in all world history.

The USA is wise to not welcome violent criminals and those who consider themselves enemies of the USA and who are opposed to the laws of our nation. Our nation should not welcome those who are a danger to her citizens and our nation.



- Josiah