During the recent presidential campaign, when there was growing support among evangelicals for Trump, democrats were quick to remind everyone there is no religious test for public office, and religion and politics should be kept separate. Since Trump initiated his immigration policy the liberal Bible-thumpers have begun to howl.
One commentator contributing to the Huffington Post referenced these verses, “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself,” Leviticus 19:33-34, as proof of God’s disdain for Trump’s policy.
K. Rowling tweeted to Vice-President Pence the words of Christ, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16:26, because he flip-flopped on the immigration issue and now backs his President. Does she really believe Mike Pence will be damned for flip-flopping on immigration?
I am ambivalent on the matter because I can see both sides on the issue. I would not want to see someone refused entry to our country in genuine need of political or religious asylum. But neither do I want someone granted entry to our nation who intends to commit an act of violence on my fellow citizens.
But there is something I am not ambivalent about and that is taking Scriptures out of their context to support one’s personal and petty, political peeves.
Yes, the Bible clearly addresses how a “stranger,” i.e., a foreign national, should be treated within our land. They should be treated equally, fairly, but the Bible does not address the rules on how they gain entry. In ancient times immigration was a non-issue.
Ancient countries were just as jealous of their sovereignty as modern ones, but their boundaries were not as well defined or secure as they are today. People traveled freely between countries without the need for passports, all you needed then was a healthy camel.
Why weren’t the liberal Bible-thumpers quoting Leviticus on homosexuality during Hillary Clinton’s campaign, or the verses that talk about the sanctity of life in the womb? Or is it only convenient to quote the Bible now in the hope of turning those evangelicals who voted for Trump against him?
I read a recent headline claiming Christianity is in turmoil over the issue of immigration. Christians are not in turmoil over the policies of the past administration or the current administration, because we trust the One who controls them all. If we were in turmoil, I suppose we would be looting businesses and destroying other people’s property.
We are told in the Scriptures, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God,” 2 Peter 1:20-21. God gave us His word not to serve our purposes, but His.
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