English
Português
Español
Français
Response
One of the significant aspects of the 21st century has been the global refugee crisis resulting from warfare, genocide, and oppression in various regions worldwide. Some estimates indicate that nearly 60 million people have been displaced globally. Syria has been embroiled in a civil war since 2011, leading to the displacement of almost 14 million individuals from their homes, with close to 5 million Syrians seeking refuge in other nations. In 2016, the United States welcomed approximately 85,000 refugees from various parts of the world. Along with refugees come opportunities, challenges, and discussions on the appropriate Christian approach to refugees.
Firstly, all Christians should acknowledge that the refugee crisis is more intricate than what is often portrayed on social media. Some Christians advocate for open borders and accepting all refugees in the spirit of compassion, while others, amidst concerns of terrorism, support closing borders and limiting refugee intake. It is inappropriate for one group to criticize the other as “un-Christian,” “unloving,” or “racist.” Asserting that one’s perspective on refugees is the sole Christian standpoint is neither constructive nor realistic. The situation is not merely about “love versus hate” or “compassion versus security”; there are nuances to be considered, and there may be multiple Christian perspectives on the refugee issue.
Secondly, as we continue to explore the refugee crisis, it is essential to recognize that developing personal convictions regarding refugees differs from establishing governmental policies. While Christians share many common values, the practical implementation of those values can vary among individuals.
A person. A government, even when informed by Christian principles, has different priorities. Governments must be concerned with national security, even if Christians give no thought to personal security. An individual Christian may be willing to risk everything to assist refugees, but that same Christian cannot demand that his neighbors share that risk. We must strike a balance between our (God-given) personal responsibility to show compassion and the (God-given) state responsibility to protect its citizens.
It’s good to look to Scripture for some examples of displaced people. Jacob and his family could be considered refugees in Egypt, fleeing the famine in Canaan (Genesis 46:1-4). When Moab faced destruction at the hands of the Assyrians, the Moabites pleaded for Israel to take in their refugees «Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth. », (Isaiah 16:3). Edom was condemned, in part, for refusing to help Jewish refugees «neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress. », (Obadiah 1:14). Psalm 146:9 says, “The Lord watches over the foreigner.” Ruth, who was more of an immigrant than a refugee, was welcomed in Judah, but note, in her words to Naomi, her willingness to assimilate into Jewish culture: “Your people will be my people and your God my God” «And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: »,
The Old Testament Law contained this instruction regarding refugees and immigrants in Israel: “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt” «Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. », (Exodus 23:9). This principle is reiterated in Leviticus 19:33, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.”
The New Testament does not provide any specific command concerning nations admitting refugees. The New Testament was not written to be a civic handbook or legal charter. What we do find in the New Testament are specific commands concerning individual treatment of others. Jesus said the greatest commandment, right after the command to love God, is “Love your neighbor as yourself” «And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. », (Mark 12:31). And in one of the end times’ judgments, Jesus will commend those who helped the hungry, the thirsty, and the stranger «for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: », (Matthew 25:35). So, without a doubt, Christians have a mandate to show compassion to the needy.
The Christian response to refugees must include love. And it’s worth pointing out that biblical love always includes risk. It’s impossible to love someone the way Christ loves us and not face a certain amount of risk. And that factor—risk—is what necessitates that Christian compassion be tempered withExercise caution when implementing national policy. Any nation that accepts refugees exposes itself to the risk that terrorists may have infiltrated the ranks of displaced individuals. The terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015 and the shooting in San Bernardino in December 2015 serve as somber reminders of the tactics used by terrorists to enter a country.
Therefore, a Christian crafting a biblical response to the refugee crisis should take several actions:
1) Dedicate to providing care and compassion to refugees. Christians ought to welcome refugees into their homes and churches as a demonstration of God’s love and an opportunity to share the gospel. Those “from every nation, tribe, people, and language” will stand before the throne of the Lamb one day «After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; », (Revelation 7:9).
2) Pray for our nation’s leaders. Authorities in power have a divine duty to “bring punishment on the wrongdoer” «for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. », (Romans 13:4) and to ensure “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” «for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. », (1 Timothy 2:2). Pray for our leaders to possess the wisdom of Daniel or Joseph.
3) Support ministries that aid refugees. Numerous Christian organizations are dedicated to assisting refugees in their resettlement efforts.
tion, job training, language skills, and cultural adjustment.
4) Promote government policies that are effective in screening refugees to prevent those with malicious intent from entering. We must show compassion to those in need; simultaneously, we must show compassion to our fellow citizens and not expose them to undue risk.
5) Pray for the refugees, their families, and their troubled homelands. “Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth” «Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let thy glory be above all the earth. », (Psalm 57:5).
6) Research the best ways to assist the displaced. From “safe zones” abroad to Christian ministries at home, there are numerous options that merit serious consideration.
Jesus instructed us to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). With the influx of refugees, the mission field is coming to us, and many of those who arrive are from nations closed to traditional missions. Wouldn’t it be just like God to turn a challenging situation into something beneficial and glorious?
