Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible

by M. Daniel Carroll Rodas and M. Daniel Carroll R.

Book Overview

Immigration is one of the most divisive issues on the national agenda. Fortunately, Christians at the Border provides sound biblical and ethical guidance for Hispanics who are looking for a Christian... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080103566X
• ISBN13: 9780801035661
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Length: 174 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Begin Understanding the Issues

In Christians at the Border, Daniel Carroll addresses a growing concern amongst lawmakers and citizens in the U.S. America is undergoing massive demographical changes with the influx of immigrants from Mexico. The Hispanic population is ever increasing all across the country, while the Latin American culture is growing more ubiquitous with its food, music, and media. But America as a whole has not been warm towards the growing Spanish-speaking population. The purpose of Carroll's book is to begin informing Christians with the issues surrounding immigration. Carroll is an Old Testament professor at Denver Seminary, born in Guatemala and educated in the United States. His bird-eye view of the two cultures--American and Latin-American, is helpful in presenting a fair view of the cultural dispositions on both sides: in his introduction, he explains why he prefers undocumented immigrants over illegal aliens with the reason being that the former is "a more just label and better represents the present reality" (22). His awareness allows him to avoid bias where possible, and defend views where necessary. The first chapter, poignantly titled "Hispanic Immigration: Invasion or Opportunity?" gives the bulk of the content on immigration in the U.S. with its history and impact. Historically, various people groups have come to the States: the Chinese, Irish and Southern Europeans, and Africans. Carroll briefly looks at the impact and the sobering realities of displacement. Previous immigration focused on assimilation, a convergence toward a kind of "Americanism." Samuel Huntington's Clash of Civilizations, explains how the Hispanic immigration differs from the previous flow of immigrants: 1) immigration from Latin America is not an ocean's way, 2) the number of immigrants exceeds any previous people group, and 3) the enclave of immigrants, called barrios, slows the assimilation process. Huntington reports that the lack of assimilation leads to "declining levels of English language acquisition, less educational achievement, and poorer socioeconomic success" (41). The Hispanic communities go through an identity crisis themselves--what to do with their beloved Latin American heritage. To them, America means consumerism and individualism. Internal tensions rise as Latin Americans hold on to fond memories of their distant, native land. Common objections to the immigration are that: 1) they add financial burdens on the local school systems, 2) many are criminals, 3) they drive down the income of American citizens, 4) health care is affected, because hospitals cannot legally turn away patients, and 5) the billions of dollars sent back to Latin American countries are a net loss to the U.S. economy. Policy makers have proposed various internal and external measures for controlling the flow of immigrants (e.g. internal would mean pressure on employers not to hire undocumented immigrants, and external would focus on controlling the borders or even the flow of money

examining the border

Daniel Carroll is the best professor from whom I've never taken a class. I became acquainted with him during my graduate work at Denver Seminary, where he teaches Old Testament. And yes, I never had the privilege of sitting through one of his seminars. Where we built our friendship was in the days when I was the general manager for the bookstore and he would come in with his warm and engaging demeanor. And it is from this, and many subsequent discussions, that I can classify him as such. What makes Carroll unique in his discussion regarding immigration and Christian response is that he comes from both American and Guatemalan cultures. He has never abandoned one for the other and has ministries stemming from both of these backgrounds. The book itself is a much needed dialogue for American Christians who are seeking to find a way forward through the overwhelming amount of socio-cultural and political rhetoric which surrounds us. One of the main points which emerges in this discussion is the very sad reality that many American Christians have decided to build their understanding and approach to the issue of immigration upon popular cultural and political opinion rather than relying on Scripture. As he references another work in this area, Carroll puts it this way: ". . . the Christian church has lost its way and is captive to the culture" (138). In his attempt to right this ship, Carroll advocates for a movement toward a more biblical understanding of immigration, refugee and sojourner before entering into the political equations (so, go figure that he would want us to look to the Bible first. . .one must wonder what kind of oddball theologian he must really be?!?!?). After setting forth a few introductory comments, Chapter One gives background and outlines a broad history of Hispanic immigration. Here Carroll also reviews current data and figures regarding the cost (both real and imagined) of undocumented immigrants as well as the contributions of those who have become citizens. Chapters Two and Three then review Old Testament perspectives regarding foreigners, citing portions from Torah, Ruth and such. Chapter Four then turns to the New Testament, focusing mostly on the ministry of Jesus among the Samaritans before briefly mentioning 1 Peter and Romans 13. Chapter Five acts as a summary, conclusion and brief outline for moving forward. The book itself is quite accessible, both in content as well as size (@140 pages, no pictures though). Carroll has succeeded in providing a primer for those interested in engaging this topic further, and a solid introduction for those who need a compass to navigate through a sea of political lunacy and idiocy which constantly surrounds us. While there are a couple of points where I might question Carroll's conclusions or propositions, they are too minor to introduce here and in no way cause me to abandon his overall thesis and aim. More prevalent is his charge to the church to emulate the repeated calling of Scr

THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION

Having spent much of my ministry reaching across racial and ethnic lines, and having studied what the Bible has to say, I have become quite passionate on these matters and have been a bit outspoken in this blog, as well as elsewhere. I am saddened by the fact that many of my Christian friends hold views that I feel are unbiblical and sometimes even downright unchristian. Some feel that these issues are political and/or economic and have little to do with our Christian faith. This is especially the case in regard to illegal immigration. That is why I was overjoyed to find the book, Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church and the Bible, by M. Daniel Carroll R. I have known Dr. Carroll for over 25 years, and though I would not consider him a close friend, I have known him well enough to be impressed by his deep and humble walk with Christ. Dr. Carroll is presently Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary and is adjunct professor at El Seminario Teologico Centroamericano in Guatemala. He is the son of a Guatemalan mother and an American father and in a real sense has a foot in each culture. He tells us the title to his book is a double entendre. Yes, there is a literal physical border to our southwest which divides the United States from all of Latin America, but he tells us that "for Christians there is an additional border. It is a metaphorical decision point." We must choose whether our stand in the debate is "based on the Word of God" or "on other grounds" (page 23). We "Christians must think about and act on Hispanic immigration as Christians." Before diving into the biblical teachings on the issue, in the first chapter the book gives us some background: a brief history of Hispanic immigration, questions of identity and questions of economics. The book also points out the impact of Hispanic immigration on the churches. The second chapter is devoted to showing that much Old Testament history is the story of immigration. Peoples were on the move from Genesis on: Abraham, Jacob and Joseph. ( Was Ruth an "illegal alien"? See the book of Ruth, cf. Deuteronomy 23:3.) The third chapter deals with the Old Testament teaching on hospitality - care for the stranger. The various Hebrew terms for stranger or sojourner are discussed. Provisions were made for the alien along with those for other at-risk people: widows, orphans, hired workers, servants and the poor. Dr. Carroll sums it up in a rather eye-opening statement: " ... the arrival and presence of sojourners were not a threat to Israel's national identity; rather, their presence was fundamental to its very meaning. The people of Israel could not be who there were supposed to be before God and the world if they forgot who they had been and from where they had come" (pages 109, 110). See Leviticus 19:33, 34. In chapter 4, we are taken to the New Testament to see Jesus' attitude toward outsiders. We also see Peter's teaching on Christians as sojou

Thinking not Reacting

Christians at the Border, M Daniel Carroll R., Baker Academic, 2008 Review by David Carlson, Pastor of Bethany EFC, Madison, WI September 5, 2008 Christians at the Border calls the reader to think biblically rather than politically about Immigration. "We must determine whether the place we choose to stand on the national debate will be based on the word of God....or whether we will defend our opinion on other grounds." (p. 23) Carroll will probably challenge your views, and that is why you should read this book. The first chapter outlines the history of Immigration in the United States. He asks: "Is God bringing millions of Hispanics to the US to revitalize the Christian Churches here and to present to those who do not yet believe the opportunity to turn to Christ...?" (p. 61) My answer is "Yes!" I am a grandchild of Swedish immigrants, for whom English was a second language. I have pastored in Chicago, New York and Madison, so I know others are still coming in hope to America. As a Christian I am challenged to "regard no one from a worldly point of view." (2 Corinthians 5:16). Lao and Chinese speakers are members of Bethany. These have come to Jesus because of their relocation. There is a Latino church planting movement in Wisconsin. Many have been won to Christ, and our understanding of ministry has been stretched by my Latino partners. Carroll outlines themes in the Old and New Testament that are relevant to the question: the Image of God; the experiences of OT people as refugees and immigrants; hospitality; the Law and the sojourner (which calls for fair treatment), Jesus' life as an alien and his treatment of outsiders and Samaritans in particular Carroll does not proof text or fabricate a simplistic answer. His 140 pages are enriched by thoughtful footnotes and resources. Romans 13 is where Carroll's experience most effects his reading. His insights here are valid, but he has not resolved the issue of immigration law. I recommend this book as a good entry point. The teacher will find a topic, the adventurous pastor a sermon series. We all can benefit by reading, thinking and praying about our attitude toward immigrants.

More Than Words

Daniel Carroll's book provides much needed information and inspiration to motivate and impassion the American church to heed the Biblical mandates of the Father to love the exile, stranger, sojourner, alien and foreigner. In the way of legitimate introduction to the subject of immigration, Daniel Carroll is short on divisive statistics (thankfully) and long on presenting scriptural precepts to love the foreigner among us. He moves us into the immigration debate as Christians first , then as Americans; into our neighborhoods and communities to love the foreigner, then to advocacy on their behalf. Carroll's inspiration for Christians to affect immigration is a result of his attempt to deepen our understanding of Yahweh, not only as Creator of all human beings, but also as righteous, omniscient provider and defender of strangers and aliens throughout history. In Christians at the Border, we come to a place of hope as we recognize the omniscience of God's design through the movement of people in the Old and New Testament. In HIS hands are man-made borders as well as the people who cross them, often in obedience to His call. This hope precedes illumination. As we permit the Holy Spirit to stir our hearts with truth, we are invited to move rhythmically with God's plans, operating above the confines of earthly law, to accomplish far more spiritually with the divine weapons of love, compassion and humility. One of the many strengths of the book lies in the abundance of Biblical references cited. Don't skip reading the very words of divine God. In fact, read them aloud. Let them saturate your heart to bring about the mind of Christ regarding the foreigner. These verses are pure liberation for the Americanized theology delivered weekly to Christians who have only known Jesus Christ in red, white and blue. Another strength of this book is the generosity of spirit in which it is written There is a sense of urgency and longing in the book that is natural to an issue of great consequence. Yet Carroll makes no demands of the reader - scripture does that. On its pages readers will not find anger, judgement or bitterness- an indicator of a life (and pen) at God's complete disposal. Deserving special attention are the five paragraphs entitled `The Browning of Christianity". I urge readers to dwell prayerfully on this passage. As well, the concluding Notes and Resources are detailed and give opportunity for maturity regarding immigration issues. Daniel Carroll wrote this book but he doesn't get in its way. Like a stage hand he simply pulls back the curtain to reveal what the rhetoric of prejudice and economic preoccupation have obscured: an omniscient God moving people for His glory and divine purpose; a compassionate God inviting His people to know Him more deeply as creator and visionary; and as righteous God, exacting perfect justice in defense of widows, orphans and foreigners. Thank you Mr. Carroll for reminding us of our first allegiance.