The Bible on Strangers and Aliens
President Trump’s travel ban has once again brought the issue of refugees into the public consciousness. There are many political and social issues on which Christians can, in good faith, take opposing views. But there are few issues on which the Bible is clearer than that of welcoming refugees and resident aliens:
‘The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’ (Leviticus 19: 34)
‘Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25: 34-40).
Christian Leaders Respond
Both Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin have spoken out strongly in support of welcoming refugees and those facing persecution. In October Pope Francis said, ‘“You cannot be a Christian without living like a Christian. You cannot be a Christian without practicing the Beatitudes. You cannot be a Christian without doing what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 25. It’s hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need of my help. If I say I am Christian, but do these things, I’m a hypocrite.”
Trump’s ‘travel ban’ is not only contrary to the Geneva Convention, it violates a central principle of Christian teaching. That is why we Christians must oppose it.
Rebecca Lloyd
