Theologically thinking about Immigration

What if there was a way to learn, rather than simply have an opinion. My friend Ian Danley from Phoenix suggests some theological lenses* through which to examine the issue of immigration that faces many of my own friends. His thoughtful and informed piece is in two parts on Shouts from the Wilderness: Part One and Part Two; and will be cross-posted on UnDocumented.tv.

Some of his points include:

• how scripture might orient us in a new way
• God engineers humanity to represent Him on earth, and he calls it very good
• stay closer to God’s heart for people
• Our Christian identity comes with a supreme citizenship in a different Kingdom
• Christ’s values and ethics are at odds with the world
• in an agrarian economy, women without men, children without parents and people without land and family are often vulnerable, God sets up rules to protect them
• we get to the life of Christ …he was an infant refugee carried across a border without knowing

I hope you read Ian's writing and find it helpful as you move toward a more informed and theologically informed opinion. Here is some source books to read to inform oneself to think, act, and even develop opinions christianly. 







I particularly appreciate the work of Danny Carrol Rodas as a theologian and churchman from Denver Seminary. His book Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible, is an invaluable resource to many. 

*So perhaps refraction is the way to inform our discussion.