January 31, 20179 yr Leviticus 19:33-34 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Malachi 3:5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts. Exodus 23:9 “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. Matthew 5:46-47 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Leviticus 24:22 You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 23:22 “And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.” What Does the Bible Say About Immigration? I'm really surprised you asked for Biblical Texts on Immigration. It is one of the major themes in all of Scripture. Interesting read. What does the Bible really say about taking in Syrian refugees?
January 31, 20179 yr Arguably except for Lev 24:22, these passages refer to how an individual is supposed to treat a stranger, NOT how a nation/state is to lawfully rule their borders and protect it's populace. As a matter of fact, if you want to bring up the Old Testament, God was pretty hard core in the way he commanded the Israelites to treat their enemies, and he NEVER told them to throw open their borders/homes to the non-God believing idol worshipers, who at the time were pretty much everyone else but them. Not advocating throwing open the borders at all. PP1 decided he wanted some biblical reference. I think I provided that and then some more. I would argue Society over Nation/State but however you wish to word it is fine. These texts never differentiate between the "Unbeliever" and the "believer." Just as Jesus points out in the Sermon on the Mount, our hearts (insert attitude here) are the beginning point of righteousness.
January 31, 20179 yr Did I ask for a biblical text on immigration or for three teachings stemming from this particular executive order? So you want us to provide lesson plans for you?
January 31, 20179 yr So you want us to provide lesson plans for you? Yes. Exactly. That is precisely what I was getting at. Another poster, not you, said that this executive order has biblical teachings "all over it." I asked what these teachings were. What am I supposed to teach the church about this?
January 31, 20179 yr Interesting read. What does the Bible really say about taking in Syrian refugees? I'd read that article earlier in another source. Personally I think he's part of the discourse problem. First, he has an attitude against in differing opinion. As liberals often do, they take directives aimed at individuals in the Bible and try to make them the responsibility of the state. More than that, they insist that the only way the directive can be fulfilled is in the manner they prefer. Why the castigation of another viewpoint? It's also interesting how many pick and chose what they want to be a "state" issue and what they want to be a "personal" issue. Then he picks particular texts that don't really relate directly to the "sojourner" or immigrant. He then goes into great length about the OT texts where the Hebrews go "genocide" on their enemies. But I'm not sure how that relates to the current issue at hand. What does conquering people have to do with immigration? See I think this is where we all need to really discuss the topic openly and fully. Phrases like "open the doors" aren't necessarily what I or others are espousing. I believe in properly vetting and going through the right channels to immigrate anywhere. The problem with the original order to me was the "green card" aspect that has now been rescinded because the White House realized how wrong that approach was. I worry about particular people who are in the valid process that now are being set back by the current order against specific nations. I also find it interesting who was and who was not included. It's not a Muslim thing. It's a terrorism thing. I get that totally. But I wonder how the Saudi's stayed off the 90 day hook. Thanks for the response and the article Big V. :thumb:
January 31, 20179 yr Yes. Exactly. That is precisely what I was getting at. Another poster, not you, said that this executive order has biblical teachings "all over it." I asked what these teachings were. What am I supposed to teach the church about this? I would look directly at the above texts and sites to see where it applies. The Lectionary reading on Sunday in the Gospels was the Beatitudes. Being Blessed is very applicable to this dilemma. Micah 6 was the OT reading and he plainly ends in verse 8 with the admonition: "what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Some of the rhetoric reveals a lack of kindness and humility. Again, it's about the heart and that's where it starts.
January 31, 20179 yr Author Delete - @Hatz said it so much better/thoughtful in post #51. Edited January 31, 20179 yr by Pura Vida
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