Are we Christians, or xenophobes? Followers of Jesus the Messiah are obligated to take a stance of radical solidarity with and hospitality toward immigrants, regardless of their legal status. American Christians’ views of things like justice and the rule of law often have much more to do with the traditions of the United States of America than the words of Scripture or the heart of Yahweh. Although retributive justice has its place, biblical justice is primarily relational, not retributive. It is closely related to shalom, which is “peace,” not just as in the absence of conflict, but the fullness of God’s Kingdom. Biblical justice looks a lot more like a well-functioning community than an immigrant in the back of a Border Patrol SUV. Of course, those who are primarily American citizens are entitled to their own opinions and debates. However, those who are primarily citizens of God’s Kingdom - a radically inclusive Kingdom which transcends cultural, ethnic, and national borders - are obligated to do better than the calloused xenophobia which too often characterizes immigration debates. Humanly-speaking, there is no “us” vs. “them” in the Kingdom of God... there is only an “us” *with,* *for,* and *unto* “them,” so that "they" might become "us," together in Christ.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:01:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015