Immigrants Among Us: A Lutheran Framework for Addressing
Immigration Issues – a review
A Report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
60 pages
As we approach another “political season,” when Americans go
to the polls and elect leaders, a topic sure to be hotly debated is
immigration. As a Christian listens to the debates, they may wonder how the
Lord’s call to us to be law-abiding citizens dovetails with the Lord’s call to
us to show compassion to our neighbor, even the “foreigner among us.” Can a Border
Patrol officer kneel at the same altar as an immigration lawyer who works with
undocumented/illegal immigrants?
Such questions led to the CTCR being directed “to research thoroughly the historical and
theological foundations relevant to this crisis issue affecting LCMS
congregations across the country, where many immigrants attend,” to “address
the issues of church and state that impact Christian response to neighbors who
find themselves in ambiguous legal circumstances,” and to present the study’s “theological
and practical directions and guidelines” to the 2010 convention.” This report is
the result.
With such a controversial topic, it is not
surprising to read in this report, “Some
acknowledgment of the basic assumptions underlying our discourses about immigrants
helps us to recognize that brothers and sisters in Christ with an equal desire
to be faithful to God’s commands may actually disagree on how best to carry
them out when it comes to dealing with their immigrant neighbor”. (page 22).
I recently did a review on the CTCR document “RenderUnto Caesar … and Unto God.” In that report the concept of two kingdoms was
explained. This current document helps us see Lutheran two kingdom theology applied in
a very real and contemporary setting. The document also brings into play the
biblical teachings concerning vocation.
Don’t
forget to read the case studies at the end of the report. They really help
bring the points of the report into focus, and helps us understand the
complexity of the issue.
You can
download a copy of the report: Immigrants Among Us
You
can also download a copy of Render Unto Caesar … and Unto God.
You
can also find, and download, many other CTCR reports: CTCR Report
Blessings
in Christ,
Pastor
John Rickert
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