Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate

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Thanks for that clarification Anton. However , it would seem that others have simply read into what I have said as an expression of their own particular concerns.So let me clarify my own, specific position. You are to allot it as an inheritancefor yourselves and for the foreignersresiding among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. Ezekiel 47:22 The Bible is quite clear on the importance of showing hospitality to visitors. One of the most famous examples of this is when Abraham welcomed three strangers into his tent and offered them food and drink.

Why Do We Welcome The Stranger? | World Vision International

I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I championed the cause of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, and made them drop their prey from their teeth. Job 29:15-17 Anton, I see the logic of your first point( although this would require elaboration). However while not wishing to downgrade”the individual level” I would affirm that the biblical input expressed above should by extension have application to Christian communities. In particular, as we are all well aware, the most pressing problem facing both church and state in this context at this moment is one specific issue pertaining to “the stranger”: it is the *refugee* ! Reply Mathew Schmalz does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Partners

These verses are not directly aimed at welcoming refugees to any country, but the principles can be the same.

Bible Verses About Welcoming Visitors 30 Powerful Bible Verses About Welcoming Visitors

So if you’re trying to talk about `moral bankruptcy’ and `acquiescence of a large section of the Christian Church’ in the context of criticising the effort to help the Ukrainian refugees, then I don’t really know what you are on about. In fact, I have been pleasantly surprised by the very active role that the church here has been taking. ReplyGreat verses. I’ll definitely write some of them down and I’ll try to remember them. I know that some day they will help me. If you need some encouraging bible verses, read that article http://hardquotes.com/moving-quotes/encouraging-bible-verses-believe . They inspired me so much. The good samaritan was Jesus story to answer “who is my neighbour”.All the people who passed by the victim were strangers.The Samaritan who gave of himself was also a despised minority.We should likewise treat people in need accordingly.The problem is that we hear the world’s problems,7 billion of us in desperate need immediately.The focus then should be a close relationship with God, giving us direction how to become involved

Welcoming Strangers? What Does the Bible Say About Welcoming Strangers?

Make a chart showing how each of the sources we studied in this unit imagines the relationship between the host, the guest, and God. This issue may seem small at first glance. However, many studies have revealed that a top reason people won’t return to church is because they didn’t feel welcomed. It’s apparent that without creating moments of intentional conversation and warmth many will continue to never want the Jesus we claim to represent.If you really changeyour ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppressthe foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent bloodin this place, and if you do not follow other godsto your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the landI gave your ancestorsfor ever and ever. Jeremiah 7:5-7 When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19: 33-34). When we meet a stranger, we have to make a choice to see them through the eyes of Christ. We may not understand their lifestyle or personal journey, but God does. In fact, His thoughts about them are more than we can imagine, and He died for their sins just as much as yours. Active listening is another way to make others feel appreciated. This type of listening requires attentiveness, repeating phrases for understanding, and being silent while processing what’s being said. I’ve found that when I listen to others, I can hear areas of commonality and get to know them better. Even the chattiest stranger deserves to be heard. When listening, pray that the Lord gives you insight on how to properly respond. Your choice to pay attention now could be what creates a friendship at a later moment. We will never know how many opportunities were missed because we were too busy to pause for a conversation.

Welcoming Guests in Judaism - Jewish Virtual Library Welcoming Guests in Judaism - Jewish Virtual Library

You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." 15. Leviticus 19:10 Will Campbell was a radical Christian, a native of Mississippi who was involved in the Civil Rights movement from its beginning and a man when challenged to sum up Christianity in ten words said, “We’re all bastards, but God loves us anyway.” Colin – as with much of what you write, (a) I get the impression that it is probably really good, but (b) I can’t understand it – and it goes way over my head. John 1:5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the friends, even though they are strangers to you; they have testified to your love before the church. You do well to send them on in a manner worthy of God; for they began their journey for the sake of Christ, accepting no support from non-believers. Therefore we ought to support such people, so that they may become co-workers with the truth. However, holy fear is only the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom sees the stranger, not only as a risk, but also an opportunity. The stranger, precisely because he is strange to us, introduces something new into our world. Unlike the birds that God led before Adam in Eden, the stranger (in this case, Eve), introduces an opportunity for the greatest of earthly goods – an opportunity for friendship. C. S. Lewis says, “What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.” Herein lies the root of our dignity, the very image of God within us, and of our positive desire to welcome the stranger; We are capable of friendship in the truth.That you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well." 11. Job 31:32 But that police officer assumed the best in us. If he hadn’t, the story would have ended very differently. Abraham and Sarah's example of hospitality in the Bible is a great example of how we should treat strangers - Genesis 18:1-8 Many of us find meeting people from another context, culture or language challenging. When people think, say or do things differently, we find it—well, strange. That is why we call them ‘strangers’! It is much less work relating to people who are like us—and strangers find the same. That is why, in any context, minority ethnic groups will almost always cluster together; this is the unexplored reality behind our current debates about race and discrimination.