Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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
[...]

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 Scripture to exhibit hospitality - for this all is God's land and he desires us to care for it and its inhabitants in this manner (98-99ff).

Hopefully this book will continue to spark discussion as it already has throughout the evangelical community and allow us to be followers of Christ first before we are followers of our culture.

[grasshoppersdreaming.blogspot.com]

This book is superbly written. It provides a fair and thorough perspective of the complex factors that are involved in the issue of immigration, both nationally and globally, and provides a scriptural context within which every person of faith can assess the appropriate response to each of these factors. I find the book to be very thought provoking and helpful in understanding the myriad factors that are a part of the entire immigration issue.

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.

Christians at the Border is a thorough and timely study of the issue of immigration in America. Written by an Old Testament scholar who is a Guatemalan-American, and who lives and teaches on both sides of our Southern border, the perspectives Carroll R. brings are essential. He carefully looks at the situation today, showing the great complexity which must be comprehended as we look at immigration (including things like where people come from and why the come, the economic pressures on both sides of the borders, and the broader history of immigration in America). He then looks back into the Old and New Testaments to see how their witness can be brought to bear. In both of these areas, carefully looking at today's context and exploring the biblical context and teaching, the book shines.

The fundamental insight that Carroll R. uses to reframe the debate, and one that I think is essential as we move forward, is to recognize that the debate today must be shifted from one about "immigration" as a concept to a debate and discussion about immigrants, human beings made in God's image who deserve our respect, care, and concern. Especially as Christians, we must come to grips with the sojourners among us (who are often, incidentally, fellow Christians), and must seek both temporary and long-term solutions that create and maintain justice as well as express and embody our identity as God's agents on earth.

The discussion in America today about immigration is a great opportunity for the body of Christ to exemplify what it means to love God and neighbor. There is no doubt that we must get beyond entrenched political positions and party alignments, as well as beyond oversimplifications and false dichotomies and seek new ways of of living and acting as Christians in the world. As Carrol R. concludes, "The decisions that are made and courses of action that are recommended [in a Christian approach to immigration] should be commensurate with the life of Jesus--his actions, his teaching, his cross."

I highly and unreservedly recommend this book. It is very readable, just as it is also thorough and careful. First-hand experience is melded nicely with research, and careful biblical reasoning is brought to bear with wisdom on a divisive issue with an always irenic yet prophetic tone. Read this book and be challenged!

I enjoyed this book. It helped me to see through the eyes of our Latino brothers and sisters a little better. Having worked in Latin America for some years now as a missionary, I have an understanding of these people's desire for better life. This book helped me to bring better vision to the way I feel.

In this important new book, M. Daniel Carroll quietly but repeatedly
demands that Christians view the immigration issue AS CHRISTIANS. If we view the issue through this lens, it becomes much more difficult to condemn immigrants, many of whom are Christians themselves. Indeed he suggests that American believers might be happy to have such a large wave of Christians coming to our country. Regardless of our feelings, he writes, "to turn away or treat badly one made in the image of God is a violation against God" (p. 68).

Caroll effectively argues that both the Old and New Testament require
a welcoming attitude toward "the sojourner." Most specifically he cites
the instruction in Leviticus: "The alien living with you must be treated
as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in
Egypt." He also discusses the famous admonition in Matthew 25 to "welcome
the stranger."

Carroll's book is important because many "values" politicians and voters talk about their faith and their politics until they come to immigration, and then they are only concerned with the rule of law. Carroll is absolutely right that we Christians don't have the right to abandon our faith when we consider this issue.

I do wish he had spent more time discussing the "rule of law" argument from a Biblical perspective. He waits until the very end of the book, where he discusses the need to balance the law of God and the law of man. This is fine as far as it goes, but Carroll does not go far at all with it. I wish he had devoted an entire chapter to Christian lawbreakers and martyrs, and especially to Jesus, executed as a criminal, who had a very uneasy relationship with the laws of his time, to say the least. Opponents of immigration ground their strongest arguments in the rule of law, and Carroll could have done more to show that they are on shaky Biblical ground in making their case. Overall, however, he has
written a fine, important book.

This book was oustanding in its overview of an exceedingly complex issue. It does not claim to offer full solutions, but it does offer perspectives that Christians cannot afford to ignore. It speaks to how we can be truly Christian in our discussion of the Latino immigration to America. Very helpful to me and to others whom I know!

In contemporary America, immigration is a socio-economic challenge which few politicians wish to face due to the polarization in the population, political and economic pressures, and the amnesia of many who forget that the United States has been from its colonial roots, a nation of immigrants.
Churches and denominations find themselves sometimes captive to the prevailing political or economic view of the issue. The book is a call for all serious Christians to consider in depth the biblical principles and to adopt a stance of evangelical justice, and love.
Professor Carroll of the Denver Seminary, who has lived in two "worlds," the US and Guatemala, and who demonstrates Christian compassion amid the difficulties of dealing with the subject, provides a brief though articulate middle ground position based on the principles of the Old Testament.
I was deeply moved by the dedicatory page written:
In Spanish: "Al pueblo hispano--peregrinos en tierra ajena, artesanos de una vida nueva, semilla de esperanza--paz y animo para el largo camino."
And in English: "To the Christian church in the United States: may we never forget that we are sojourners in a strange land, and that among us there is neither Jew nor Greek."
Empathy, service, and personal experience may slant this review. As an Argentine immigrant, who migrated to the US during my youth, and having been educated in Baptist institutions, naturalized American citizen, and ministered among foreign-born groups in churches, cities, and seminary classrooms, in this review I dispossess myself of academic or political "correctness," and embrace the "religion of the heart" as exemplified by our Lord Jesus Christ.
The path of Professor Carroll life is comparable to mine in reverse and our views about the need for a Christian perspective to the challenge of immigration are compatible.
The book deals with a general discussion about Hispanic immigration and devotes one chapter each for a theological reflection about humans from the Old Testament, "The Law and the sojourner," and New Testament guidance for welcoming the stranger. The final chapter asks the practical question "Where do we go from here?" The bibliography enlarges the horizon of any interested reader seeking for other works, both secular and religious, about the topic of immigration.
Carroll suggestions are incisive and worthy of reading. They are valuable to people in churches, both lay and pastoral, especially in areas of the country where immigrant populations abound. Providing a realistic Christian ethic, it can be used as a study guide for congregations interested in ministering to foreign born populations.
David F. D'Amico Retired Evangelism and Missions professor and CBF representative to the UN living in Louisville, KY.