Introduction
Immigration is a complex issue that touches on both the security of a nation and its responsibility to uphold compassion and hospitality, especially for Christians who strive to honor biblical principles. The handling of immigration and border security should be rooted in a balanced approach—one that values both the sanctity of a nation’s borders and the responsibility to care for those who seek refuge or better lives.
The Old Testament View of Foreigners and Citizenship
The “foreigner,” or “ger” in Hebrew, is pivotal to understanding immigration from a biblical perspective. In the Old Testament, the “ger” had undergone the legal process to become a resident in the land, subject to its laws and customs, and thus distinguished from foreigners who lived outside those parameters. For instance, the law given to Israel placed strict distinctions between those who were natural-born Israelites, those who chose to live among them and adopt their ways, including circumcision and obedience to the Mosaic law, and those who passed through.
This legal approach demonstrated a balanced attitude: the community extended protections and rights to the “ger, but it also required them to respect the established laws and participate in the nation’s life and faith practices. The extension of rights or denial of them included what we would call today “social services.” For a biblical worldview, this serves as a model suggesting that modern immigration policies should ensure that immigrants have a clear and fair legal process to enter the nation while respecting the country’s laws, values, and way of life.
Recognizing and Protecting National Borders
The Bible speaks to individual relationships and the structure and governance of nations. Throughout Scripture, God places importance on the boundaries and borders of nations. Israel had defined borders and was to be vigilant in defending them. In Acts 17:26, Paul speaks of God determining “the times set for them and the exact places where they should live,” implying that national borders are part of God’s divine order. Borders help maintain order and peace within a country by allowing it to protect its citizens and their welfare.
For a nation to function effectively, it must secure its borders. This responsibility lies with governments, which exist in part to provide peace and safety for their people. An open-border policy poses risks to national security and challenges social systems like healthcare, education, and welfare services. A biblically Christian view, therefore, upholds the need for a secure border as a matter of stewardship, viewing it as a government’s God-given duty to care for its citizens.
The New Testament’s Call to Compassion
While the Old Testament establishes laws about citizenship, the New Testament reveals God’s heart for love and compassion, including for those from other nations. Jesus’ teaching, particularly the Parable of the Good Samaritan, calls believers to love and care for those in need, regardless of national or ethnic identity. Christ’s ministry modeled a radical inclusivity, showing mercy to those outside Israel, like the Samaritan woman or the Roman centurion.
From this perspective, immigration is not solely a political issue but also a call to love and serve our neighbors. This means that Christians must advocate for policies that provide humane treatment and opportunities for immigrants seeking asylum or better living conditions. However, compassion does not imply removing all regulations. A balanced policy would extend mercy and ensure security, allowing immigrants to come through established legal processes and for nations to welcome them safely and responsibly.
The Current Political Landscape: A Lack of Balance
The current political climate in the United States often presents immigration and border security as an either-or proposition, leading to polarized, ineffective solutions. Neither parties candidate or the political platforms has successfully demonstrated a balanced approach that addresses the needs of both security and compassion. On the one hand, policies emphasizing strict border enforcement without regard for humanitarian needs can be harsh and unyielding. On the other hand, calls for open borders and unlimited access often fail to account for the strain on social resources and the security risks such policies could entail.
From a biblical perspective, this polarization ignores the nuanced approach that scripture advocates: one that upholds laws and boundaries while showing kindness and mercy to the foreigner. A sound immigration policy would, therefore, involve secure borders and compassion-driven pathways to citizenship. The Bible points to the possibility of doing both without compromising either. A balanced policy would also address the problems with the countries of origin. These countries have broken economic systems, lack resources, or have repressive regimes.
Conclusion: A Call for Compassionate Stewardship
Ultimately, Christians are called to be stewards of both justice and mercy. Immigration and border security require us to embrace biblical truths about governance, community, and compassion. A wise approach to immigration would create secure borders and fair, organized processes for those seeking to become citizens, allowing society to flourish through law and order while affirming all people’s inherent dignity.
As individuals and churches, Christians may serve the cause by supporting the legal immigration process and not doing things that subvert existing laws, helping immigrants who look for a better future for their families to do so legally, and seeking to lift impoverished nations through active missions that include community development.
This balanced perspective acknowledges that immigration laws should serve the common good, respect the safety of citizens, and create spaces where immigrants can legally, safely, and honorably join the community. In doing so, we reflect both the justice and the mercy of God, who calls His people to live as compassionate citizens in a well-ordered society.
