The Bible and Borders: Hearing God's Word on Immigration

Fueled by the desire to provide a Biblical perspective to the narrative on Immigration, Carroll provides a reflective theology of immigration that is both biblical and contextual.

The Bible and Borders consists of three chapters, covering: the people of God as sojourners, how the people of God should receive outsiders and the experience and teaching of Jesus regarding hospitality.

Carroll argues that it has become more difficult for American families to be hospitable, “Families can be so fractured that few are able to slow down and open their hearts and hearths to anyone, let alone someone different.” He presents a convincing argument that hostility toward immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers “might be a rebellion against God” (54).

Each of the three chapters concludes with implications for Christians and the church today. Some readers will find the implications and recommendations to be quite challenging, but they are born out of scripture.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is engaged in discussion or contemplation about the current state of immigration in America. It provides a scriptural lens through which the issues of legal and illegal, documented, and undocumented immigration should be considered. As a Canadian, I found the book equally enlightening and informative as the Biblical principles are applicable in every context.

Carroll, Daniel. The Bible and Borders: Hearing Gods Word on Immigration. Brazos, 2020.