Well done Bryan. Balanced and realistic. No doubt there are extremes on both sides of this debate. This is not just an American problem. Europe is facing the same issues. I recommend reading THE CAMP OF THE SAINTS by Jean Raspail newly reissued in a new translation from the French by Vauban Books. Federal law cannot be ignored.
Thank you for this thoughtful essay, Dean Hollon. I do wonder, though, if we in America have learned the wrong lessons from the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 20th century. Two potentially "wrong" lessons come to mind: that the Christian answer to injustice is public protest rather than local, church-driven charity, and that the agent of charity is the state rather than the church. I pray that we as the Body of Christ get better at owning our duty of charity towards neighbors of all sorts, and reduce our reliance on the state to do the hard work of selfless love.
Very well said Dean. Let me underscore one point. Paul’s words about the state is about a government that is beginning to persecute Christians and will ultimately kill him or at least be complacent in a mob doing so.
It is easier to take one side of this if you already hate the administration in power.
Harder if you still recognize that they have a godly role even if their strategies can legally be challenged.
You have laid out the balance in scripture. I pray the students listen.
I’m two weeks into Scott Sauls’s Jesus Outside the Lines and this is a great piece of practical application. “Love thy neighbor,” is often abstracted, good word on making it particular!
And part of the problem was people in our government mouthing words about "compassion" when what they really wanted was political power and the money they could launder to themselves through it. They didn't give a tinker's dam about these migrants OR the people they dropped them off among. Yes, that's the same people who are calling the attempts to uphold the law (that they used to praise) "Nazi" and "white supremacy."
I like this reasoned biblical and theological piece. I would also add this experiential true. There are reasons for us even righteous ones to join our voices with others. Unfortunately, crowds can easily be driven by emotions to become a mob. Mobs almost always create chaos driven by the loudest voices. I’ve been in both and painfully learned to avoid mobs.
Most of what you wrote is well and good, but I think a mass invasion requires less nuance.
Well done Bryan. Balanced and realistic. No doubt there are extremes on both sides of this debate. This is not just an American problem. Europe is facing the same issues. I recommend reading THE CAMP OF THE SAINTS by Jean Raspail newly reissued in a new translation from the French by Vauban Books. Federal law cannot be ignored.
Thanks, Ted. And great to hear from you.
Thank you for this thoughtful essay, Dean Hollon. I do wonder, though, if we in America have learned the wrong lessons from the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 20th century. Two potentially "wrong" lessons come to mind: that the Christian answer to injustice is public protest rather than local, church-driven charity, and that the agent of charity is the state rather than the church. I pray that we as the Body of Christ get better at owning our duty of charity towards neighbors of all sorts, and reduce our reliance on the state to do the hard work of selfless love.
Very well said Dean. Let me underscore one point. Paul’s words about the state is about a government that is beginning to persecute Christians and will ultimately kill him or at least be complacent in a mob doing so.
It is easier to take one side of this if you already hate the administration in power.
Harder if you still recognize that they have a godly role even if their strategies can legally be challenged.
You have laid out the balance in scripture. I pray the students listen.
I’m two weeks into Scott Sauls’s Jesus Outside the Lines and this is a great piece of practical application. “Love thy neighbor,” is often abstracted, good word on making it particular!
Thanks Jeremy! I'll be hanging out with your dad and Eva tonight, incidentally. Hope you and our family are well.
And part of the problem was people in our government mouthing words about "compassion" when what they really wanted was political power and the money they could launder to themselves through it. They didn't give a tinker's dam about these migrants OR the people they dropped them off among. Yes, that's the same people who are calling the attempts to uphold the law (that they used to praise) "Nazi" and "white supremacy."
Very thankful for you putting into words what I have been processing over the past few months. Always grateful for your thoughtful pieces.
Thanks, Cody. Hope you are well.
I like this reasoned biblical and theological piece. I would also add this experiential true. There are reasons for us even righteous ones to join our voices with others. Unfortunately, crowds can easily be driven by emotions to become a mob. Mobs almost always create chaos driven by the loudest voices. I’ve been in both and painfully learned to avoid mobs.
A truly biblical perspective for Christians to hold. Thank you for taking the time to write this article.