Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible (Paperback)

~ M. Carroll R. (Author)
Key Phrases: majority culture, United States, Old Testament, Latin America (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Immigration is one of the most pressing issues on the national agenda. This accessible book provides biblical and ethical guidance for readers who are looking for a Christian perspective on the immigration issue. As both a Guatemalan and an American, the author has immersed himself in this issue and is uniquely qualified to write about it. Drawing on key biblical ideas, he speaks to both the immigrant culture and the host culture, arguing that both sides have much to learn about the debate. In light of the 2008 elections, this timely, clear, and compassionate resource will benefit all Christians who are thinking through the immigration issue.

From the Back Cover

"With a foot in both cultures and a sensitivity to the arguments of all sides, Carroll presents Christians at the Border to sort through the complicated and confusing immigration debate with nuance. Read and learn."--Darrell Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary

"Immigration issues grip American politics and opinions. But what does the Bible say? What is at the heart of the Christian view on immigration? Danny Carroll's voice on this issue is like no other."--Leith Anderson, National Association of Evangelicals

"Danny Carroll's goal of providing Christians with a biblical and theological framework to participate in the US immigration debate as Christians is met brilliantly in Christians at the Border. It provides Christians of various political perspectives a framework from which to begin a conversation together."--Juan Francisco Martínez, Fuller Theological Seminary

"Carroll's grasp of the problems presented by immigration--political, economic, and familial--is balanced, restrained, and profound. Protestants and Catholics of all political leanings need to pay attention to this book.--William M. Shea, College of the Holy Cross

"A timely, must-read book for the church in the United States. This book helps us think through this complex issue clearly and soberly by presenting a well-documented historical and biblical perspective on immigration and people movements."--Dennis J. Rivera, Central Latin American District Council of the Assemblies of God, Denver, Colorado

"Combining prophetic zeal with a tender, pastoral tone, Carroll calls on Christians to adopt a distinctively Christian disposition to the issue of undocumented immigrants."--Daniel I. Block, Wheaton College

"With the skill of a biblical scholar, the heart of a prophet, and the rich background of a Guatemalan-American, Carroll speaks Solomonesque wisdom that will help us all."--Don Sweeting, Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church, Greenwood Village, Colorado

M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas) is Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary and is adjunct professor at El Seminario Teológico Centroamericano in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He received his PhD from the University of Sheffield. He is the author or editor of several books, is a contributing editor to Prism, and founded IDEAL, a Spanish-language training program at Denver Seminary.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080103566X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801035661
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #122,509 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #82 in

  Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Emigration & Immigration

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Words, August 5, 2008

By	J. Helein - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION, October 24, 2008

By	W. Ball (Edmond, OK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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 sojourners. Each section is concluded with "implications for today."

I especially appreciated the fact that Romans 13 was dealt with in this chapter, albeit only briefly. For many of my Christian friends, the mantra on this issue is Romans 13. Dr. carroll answers that "Discussion on legality cannot be limited just to questions about complying with the present laws" (page 133). Though I agree, I wish he had dealt with it at greater length.

The book concludes with some final thoughts and the repeated admonition that we must approach this matter of immigration as Christians.

This is a brief book and can be read in a few hours, though it will take longer if the reader checks out all the Scripture references.

If anyone who reads this is forming or has formed an opinion on the immigration question, I would beg you, read this book before you set your ideas in concrete.

Bill Ball
[...]

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking not Reacting, September 24, 2008

By	D. Carlson (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.