Immigration Across Theological Traditions Edited by: M. Daniel Carroll R. & Leopoldo A. Sanchez M. Pickwick Publications: Eugene, OR 2015
A Documented Response Papal Teaching and People in the Move Perspective modeled on the Holy Family Flight Into Egypt Sano di Pietro 15 th Century
A Documented Response Papal Teaching and People in the Move Pius XII (1952): Exsul Familia Nazarethana The example of the Word-made-flesh and his family in flight were to serve for all times and all places, the models and protectors of every migrant, alien or refugee of whatever kind who, whether compelled by fear of persecution or by want, is forced to leave his native land
A Documented Response Papal Teaching and People in the Move Paul VI(1969): De Pastorali Migratroum Cura Following Vatican II Council it established concern for basic human rights such as: Migrants accept their duties as citizens Right to homeland is affirmed Emigration and Immigration are basic human rights To have the liturgy in ones own language
A Documented Response Papal Teaching and People in the Move Paul VI(1969): De Pastorali Migratroum Cura The Church not only strives to offer the consolations of religion to all emigrants, but also zealously struggles for the sanction and preservation of the rights of the human person and foundations of his spiritual life.
A Documented Response Papal Teaching and People in the Move Paul VI(1969): De Pastorali Migratroum Cura the ordinaries of the place are not to refuse to admit the use of the immigrants own language in the Sacred Liturgy, no matter what country they come from
A Documented Response Papal Teaching and People in the Move Immigrant Popes John Paul II (2004):Erga Migrantes Caritas Christi Migration thus offers the Church an historic opportunity to prove its four characteristic marks it is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
A Documented Response Papal Teaching and People in the Move Immigrant Popes: John Paul II The Church is one because in a certain sense it also expresses the unity of the whole human family; it is holy also to make all people holy and that God s name may be sanctified among them; it is catholic furthermore in it s openness to diversity that is to be harmonized; and it is apostolic because it is committed to evangelize the whole human person and all people.
A Documented Response Papal Teaching and People in the Move Immigrant Popes Benedict XVI (2011):World Migration Day Message At the same time, States have the right to regulate migration flows and to defend their own frontiers always guaranteeing the respect due to the dignity of each and every human person. Immigrants, moreover, have the duty to integrate into the host country, respecting it s laws and it s national identity.
A Documented Response Papal Teaching and People in the Move The Re-Asporic Pope Francis (2013): Evangelii Gaudium Migration is part of the new forms of poverty and vulnerability, in which we are called to recognize the suffering Christ. Too many people have blood on their hands as a result of their comfortable and silent complicity. Applies God s question to Cain, where is your brother? to the situation of immigration.
Calvin s Legacy of Compassion A Reformed Theological Perspective on Immigration Driven by Calvin s time as a refugee in Geneva and his social reforms there. Concecration of the Seven in Acts 6 Fra Angelico, 15 th Century
Calvin s Legacy of Compassion A Reformed Theological Perspective on Immigration Responsibility of Civil Government Establishment of civil justice and outward morality is an important God given role of civil government that rises out of the spiritual and inward kingdom of Christ Calvin s exegetical commentaries intentionally focused the Christian life on just and well-regulated government that will be distinguished for maintaining the rights of the poor and afflicted.
Calvin s Legacy of Compassion A Reformed Theological Perspective on Immigration Responsibility of Spiritual Realm, Church Calvin did not recognize the distinction between Bishop, Pastor, Presbyter, etc.. but viewed them as one and the same office. However, he viewed the deaconate as a permanently established office in the church specifically given for loving and caring ministry to the poor.
Calvin s Legacy of Compassion A Reformed Theological Perspective on Immigration God Rules in Both Realms: Balance Between Civil and Spiritual Calvinist piety is distinguished by a balancing of spiritual and temporal concerns in it s liturgy, governance, and discipline. No sixteenth-century persons who followed Calvin s theology would ever be able to separate how they ruled their subjects, nursed their sick neighbors, priced the goods in their shops, or obeyed their parents, or disciplined their children from their relationship to God honor owed to God is most clearly manifested in how believers live their day-to-day vocations.
Calvin s Legacy of Compassion A Reformed Theological Perspective on Immigration Modern Reformed Approach A Reformed theological response cannot ignore these dehumanizing and exploitive policies that perpetuate the flow of undocumented workers into the U.S. solely for the benefit of U.S. businesses. Two-fold response: 1. Prioritizing ministries of compassion for comfort and aid to undocumented workers. 2. Advocating for genuine reform of policy grounded in respect for basic human rights.
Wesleyan: Immigration in the U.S. and Wesleyan Methodology Defined by John Wesley s Aldersgate evangelical conversion experience of 1738: Michelangelo Sistine Chapel
Wesleyan: Immigration in the U.S. and Wesleyan Methodology Aldersgate Experience one was reading Luther s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. Charles Wesley wrote, Towards ten, my brother was brought in triumph by a troop of our friends, and declared, I believe. We sang the hymn with great joy, and parted with prayer. Before this the Wesleys had what John described as a fair summer religion. They were both ordained. They both preached, taught, wrote, composed hymns, and even gave themselves to missionary work all to no avail. They had not Christ, or rather, Christ did not have them. They lived by good works, but not by faith. Roger J. Green 1738 John & Charles Wesley Experience Conversions, Christianity Today
Wesleyan: Immigration in the U.S. and Wesleyan Methodology Wesley s Sermon New Birth Why must we be born again? What is the foundation of this doctrine? And God, the three-one God, said, Let us make man in our image, in the image of God created he him. chiefly in his moral image, which according to the Apostle, is righteousness and true holiness man at his creation was full of love God is full of justice, mercy, and truth; so was man as he came from the hands of his Creator.
Wesleyan: Immigration in the U.S. and Wesleyan Methodology Implications for Wesleyan social action ultimate goal of the Christian community is restoration of the original state through the work of Christ, both at the personal and social level. Wesley affirms that God is the author of this work, but he also affirms that it requires human participation in the form of free choice. Moved by God s unconditional love and mercy not as legal imposition or duty, but rather out of gratitude
Wesleyan: Immigration in the U.S. and Wesleyan Methodology Image of God in Immigrants Those who identify with the Wesleyan tradition affirm the presence of God s image in all persons including those illegally in this country Those who consider themselves saved will intentionally attempt to reflect the harmony and perfection depicted before the fall.
Wesleyan: Immigration in the U.S. and Wesleyan Methodology Practical Approach Toward Policy Because the born again experience is a relationship with God, it challenges us Christians who influence public policy to, have a personal relationship with those very persons who would be adversely affected by (or would benefit from) the immigration policies we propose.
Pentecostal Politics or Power Theological Models for Advancing Immigration Reform Spirit-led cry for Divine Intervention & Grassroots Biblical Hospitality Murillo, Abraham and the Three Angels National Gallery of Canada
Pentecostal Politics or Power Theological Models for Advancing Immigration Reform The starting point of the Latino Pentecostal community is the cry of a Spiritled people who look to God for help believing in divine intervention as a solution for their undocumented status. Whatever is done at the social-political activist level is somewhat secondary This is a people who believe with full conviction that God is on the side of the undocumented.
Pentecostal Politics or Power Theological Models for Advancing Immigration Reform What the Latino Pentecostal community has lacked at a denominational and organizational level, they more than make up for at a grass roots level. The Latino Pentecostal church has been an abundant resource for immigrants spiritually, economically, and socially.
Pentecostal Politics or Power Theological Models for Advancing Immigration Reform The Old and New Testaments both establish it as the correct response toward the immigrants in our midst, regardless of official immigration status Leviticus 19:34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as a native-born. Naomi is the example of God s love for the migrant worker and Ruth his love for an undocumented Moabite. Hebrews 13:2 show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Pentecostal Politics or Power Theological Models for Advancing Immigration Reform Hospitality as God s Miraculous Response Quirino Alfaro and his family entered illegally in 1971. After struggling for weeks unable to find a job, in typical Pentecostal fashion went to church on Sunday to ask the Lord for help and direction. Monday he had a job. The church connected him to a restaurant owner, who offered him a job as a dishwasher. The same tale of Spirit-led survival continues to be lived out by Pentecostals who immigrate to the U.S.
Independent Evangelical Towards an Hispanic Biblical Theology of Immigration The Bible offers a Narrative Theology of Immigration a rich resource for migrant peoples. Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth. Genesis 1:28
Independent Evangelical Towards an Hispanic Biblical Theology of Immigration The scriptures begin with the mandate, Genesis 1:28 Multiply fill the earth. Throughout the scriptures God s people are a migrant people: Abraham the wandering Aramean, Israel in Egypt, Naomi & Ruth, David s flight from Saul, the Exile, the Post- Exilic Community, New Testament calls Christians exiles and aliens
Independent Evangelical Towards an Hispanic Biblical Theology of Immigration Sadly majority culture Christians have lost the sense of strangeness inherent in their identity and called for by the Gospel message; they rather like their surroundings and want to keep strangers out.
Independent Evangelical Towards an Hispanic Biblical Theology of Immigration Torah is sympathetic to the plight of immigrants No other ancient law code has anything close to the number of laws or the moral framework visà-vis outsiders that the Old Testament Law does. Through this generous and benevolent legislation the concept of love of neighbor was being extended.
Independent Evangelical Towards an Hispanic Biblical Theology of Immigration Any value given to the immigrant must find tangible expression in the law, and it is clear from the Old Testament such legislation matters to God. These laws were driven, not by strict controls concerning qualifications for entry or questions of national security (this was the impetus behind Egypt s laws) but the basic human needs of these newcomers: work, legal protection, and food.
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? A Scriptural perspective through three frameworks: Creedal Two Kingdom Vocational The Good Samaritan Vincent Van Gogh 1890
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? Late Sixteenth Century Hispanic Tradition of Posadas and Luther s Sermon on Christmas Day 1521 based on Luke 2 Joseph and Mary seek shelter in Bethlehem It is altogether false to think you have done much for Christ, if you do nothing for those needy ones. Had you been at Bethlehem you would have paid as little attention to Christ as they did But now, you beat the air and do not recognize the Lord in your neighbor, you do not do to him as he has done to you.
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? Creedal Framework: Legality-illegality God s Command Lev. 19:34 NOT a major issue. Christ s Example Eph. 2:12-13 Immigrant Neighbor Spirit s Hospitality Heb. 13:2 God s command to love alien neighbors not tied to fulfillment of legal requirements status cannot be a prerequisite for the church s concern...
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? Two Kingdoms Framework: God s Work Spiritual Kingdom Gospel: Justification Temporal Kingdom Law: Justice/Peace Through faith in Christ, our citizenship is in heaven Phil 3:20. We live as sojourners and exiles 1 Peter 2:9-11. Yet Christians are also called to submit to temporal authorities 1 Peter 2:14.
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? Two Kingdoms Framework: Spiritual Kingdom: Suffers Evil Temporal Kingdom: Fights Evil Christian Lives in Both Luther on Temporal Authority: In what concerns you and yours, you govern yourself by the gospel and suffer injustice in what concerns the person or property of others, you govern yourself according to love and tolerate no injustice toward your neighbor.
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? Two Kingdoms Framework: God s Work Spiritual Kingdom Gospel: Justification Temporal Kingdom Law: Justice/Peace Luther s distinction encourages the church to give spiritual care and extend the hand of mercy to undocumented immigrants in spite of her members individual positions on immigration law or policy.
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? Confusion of Two Kingdoms Framework: God s Work Spiritual Kingdom Gospel: Justification Temporal Kingdom Law: Justice/Peace When Christians argue that Gods universal commands to love the neighbor stand as higher laws that trump in an absolute way the state s responsibility to create, enact, and enforce immigration laws.
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? Confusion of Two Kingdoms Framework: God s Work Spiritual Kingdom Gospel: Justification Temporal Kingdom Law: Justice/Peace When Christians act or talk as if undocumented immigrants cannot be true Christians because of their legal status.
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? Confusion of Two Kingdoms Framework: God s Work Spiritual Kingdom Gospel: Justification Temporal Kingdom Law: Justice/Peace When government interferes with the church s spiritual duty to love alien neighbors regardless of their legal status.
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? The Vocational Framework: Coworker Stranger Stranger Family Schoolmate Stranger Church Family Vocation Fellow Citizen Stranger If everybody is my neighbor then, nobody is my neighbor. There are too many neighbors around the world. Vocation makes the fulfillment of the law of love realistic.
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? The Vocational Framework: Coworker Stranger Stranger Family Schoolmate Stranger Church Family Vocation Vocation Fellow Citizen Stranger We serve those who are closest to us first, but then make room for others. Yet those other neighbors eventually become closer to us
Immigration Through Lutheran Eyes Who s My Neighbor? Diversity of Lutheran themes or narrative frameworks highlights not only that immigration is a complex reality but that Lutheran theology can deal with such complexity in a way that does not seek to resolve all the tensions and will ultimately force us to put a human face on the debate and lead us to ask, Who is my neighbor?
Immigration Across Theological Traditions Edited by: M. Daniel Carroll R. & Leopoldo A. Sanchez M. Pickwick Publications: Eugene, OR 2015 What was helpful, insightful, useful for you as you consider how this issue affects you personally, your ministry, and our nation?
Ten Talent Ministries LLC Housing Refugees & Surrounding Them with the Love of Christ Loving the Immigrant Neighbors Among Us
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Ten Talent Ministries LLC Housing Refugees & Surrounding Them with the Love of Christ Financial Model Refuge Families Future Property Future Property Rent income remains within LLC to be invested in future properties.
Ten Talent Ministries LLC Housing Refugees & Surrounding Them with the Love of Christ Financial Model Refuge Families New Investor: Participates in new properties Future Property Future Property
Ten Talent Ministries LLC Housing Refugees & Surrounding Them with the Love of Christ Financial Model Refuge Families New Investor: Participates in new properties More refugees cared for in the love of Christ!
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