A Theology of Immigration DJ Crawford

Demographics: US Census 2010

• Contrary to popular belief Asians are now the

fastest growing ethnicity in the US

Grew at 45.6 percent according to data

Demographics: US Census 2010

• Contrary to popular belief Asians are now the

fastest growing ethnicity in the US

Grew at 45.6 percent according to data

• Hispanics are predicted to become the majority

in California in 2014, currently 39%

Sojourner Theology

• Heavenly Perspective (Eternal)

Sojourner Theology

• Heavenly Perspective (Eternal)

– Biblical metaphors describe life as a mist, a fast runner,

a breath and a wisp of smoke

Sojourner Theology

• Heavenly Perspective (Eternal)

– Biblical metaphors describe life as a mist, a fast runner,

a breath and a wisp of smoke

– Compared eternity life is extremely brief

– Earth is only temporary residence

Sojourner Theology

• Heavenly Perspective (Eternal)

– Biblical metaphors describe life as a mist, a fast runner,

a breath and a wisp of smoke

– Compared eternity life is extremely brief

– Earth is only temporary residence

Sojourner Theology

• Heavenly Perspective (Eternal)

– Biblical metaphors describe life as a mist, a fast runner,

a breath and a wisp of smoke

– Compared eternity life is extremely brief

– Earth is only temporary residence

Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah

his daughter to Moses. And she bore him a son. He called his name

Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.”

Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died.

Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they

cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.

Exodus 2:21-23 (NKJV)

Towards a Immigration

Theology

“Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of

my days; Let me know how transient I am.

Psalm 39:4 (NASB)

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we

eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Phillippians 3:20 (NASB)

Life after Death in Heaven (Eternal) Abundant Life on Earth

Obstacles to Theology of

Immigration: Sojourner 1. Family Influence and Background shapes our

thinking

Obstacles to Theology of

Immigration: Sojourner 1. Family Influence and Background shapes our

thinking

2. We forget that we were once strangers

ourselves and still are! Our allegiance is to

the Kingdom of God

Obstacles to Theology of

Immigration: Sojourner 1. Family Influence and Background shapes our

thinking

2. We forget that we were once strangers

ourselves and still are! Our allegiance is to

the Kingdom of God

3. We forget that heaven is our home

Obstacles to Theology of

Immigration: Sojourner 1. Family Influence and Background shapes our

thinking

2. We forget that we were once strangers

ourselves and still are! Our allegiance is to

the Kingdom of God

3. We forget that heaven is our home

4. Immigration becomes political

God is neither a Republican or a Democrat

Application

• Treat strangers with compassion and respect...Imago Dei

“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not

mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be

treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you

were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 19-33-34 (NIV)

Application

• Treat strangers with compassion and respect...Imago Dei

“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not

mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be

treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you

were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 19-33-34 (NIV)

• Immigrants must go through the legal method to become

naturalized citizens

-Undocumented people should not get put to the

front of the line when others have been following the

laws of becoming citizens

• Jesus was an immigrant to Egypt and Samaria

evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/

“www.EvangelicalImmigrationTable.com.” The forty passages included are: 1. Genesis 1:27-28 21. Jeremiah 7:5-7 2. Exodus 12:49 22. Jeremiah 22:33 Exodus 22:21 23. Ezekiel 22:6-7 4. Exodus 23:9 24. Ezekiel 22:29 5. Exodus 23:12 25. Zechariah 7:10 6. Leviticus 19:9-10 26. Malachi 3:5 7. Leviticus 19:33-34 27. Matthew 2:13-14 8. Leviticus 23:22 28. Matthew 25:35 9. Leviticus 24:22 29. Mark 2:27 10. Numbers 15:15-16 30. Luke 10:36-37 11. Deuteronomy 1:16 31. Acts 16:37 12. Deuteronomy 10:18-19 32. Acts 17:26-27 13. Deuteronomy 24:14 33. Romans 12:13 14. Deuteronomy 24:17-18 34. Romans 13:1-2 15. Deuteronomy 24:19 35. Ephesians 2:14-18 16. Deuteronomy 26:12 36. Philippians 3:20 17. Deuteronomy 27:19 37. Hebrews 13:2 18. Job 29:16 38. 1 Peter 2:11-12 19. Psalm 94:6-7 39. 1 Peter 2:13-14 20. Psalm 146:9 40. Revelation 7:9-10

Bibliography

Brueggemann, Walter. (2002). The Land, Pace

as Gift, Promise and Challenge in Biblical

Faith. Minneapolis, MN : Fortress Press

Carroll R., M. Daniel. (2008). Christians at the

Border, Grand Rapids, MI : Baker Academics.

Soerens, M. & Hwang, J., (2009). Welcoming the

Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the

Immigration Debate. Downers Grove, IL :

InterVarsity Books