Douglas Jacoby Podcast

Current Issues: Illegal Immigration

Episode Summary

Douglas begins a new series on Current Issues, today looking at the issue of Illegal Immigration. This Podcast was originally published on October 20, 2010.

Episode Notes

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Why immigrants should be welcomed:

• In some of the uncharitable attitudes exhibited in the discussion there is more than a hint of hypocrisy.
  • “Give me your tired, your poor / Your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free. / The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.  / Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me. / I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” (inscription on the Statue of Liberty)
  • We are called to obey the laws of the land, and yet our land (for us Americans) is a nation built of immigrants.
• The Bible calls us to love the alien (Leviticus 19:34), because God loves the alien (Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
  • Yes these laws governed a church-state. Under the new covenant, the church is not a political entity.
  • The Law of Moses teaches us much about the heart of God, yet it is not a platform for civil law in our time.
  • Inflexible policies are rarely in harmony with the principle of love.

Why illegal immigrants should return to their home nations / strive to become legal:

• Lying to immigration authorities can damage one’s conscience. Keeping a clear conscience receives a huge emphasis in the scriptures. Always being “on the run” can erode faith.
• Social services are expensive; somebody has to pay. (And some needs are more legitimate than others.) The scriptures also emphasize pulling one's own weight.
• In most countries there is a way to become a legal resident. It may be better to come clean, plead for clemency, and let God move in his own way.

On the other hand...

• In some cases, going back to countries of origin is unrealistic or even dangerous (political or religious persecution)!
• The issues are complex. Anyone who denies there are any "gray areas" in scripture is unrealistic -- isn't being honest.
• It isn't the church’s job to be vigilantes who cause trouble or hardship for those who, for whatever reasons, have chosen to “hide” from immigration authorities.

Conclusion:

• As long as there is human society on this earth, there will be nations and laws and borders. Without borders, states will be overrun by their enemies.
• Capitalism may work better than socialism, but Christ-followers are called to neither position.
• Christianity was never intended to be elevated to the level of national policy. That's because those on the narrow road will never be more than a small minority in their society.
• Each situation be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Let us balance justice with compassion. How would Jesus have dealt with the illegal alien?