They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration [Paperback]

Stephen Bouman (Author), Ralston Deffenbaugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009

By virtue of Lutheranism's spiritual heritage and identity in America as an immigrant church, Lutherans are specially placed to give hopeful leadership about the controversial issue of immigration in the United States today. They Are Us explores the biblical, historical, theological, and cultural foundations for Lutheran participation in a public conversation that has important implications for the future of this nation. Based on professional experience and grounded in Christian faith, the authors make the case for immigration reform and call the church to a mission of evangelical hospitality.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephen Bouman is director of Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and former bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod ELCA. During twenty years as a parish pastor, he served parishes originally founded by immigrants as they became immigrant congregations once again.
Ralston Deffenbaugh is president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS), one of the nation's leading agencies in welcoming and advocating for refugees and other migrants. A human rights lawyer, he has worked since 1981 with Lutheran organizations concerned with international affairs and early in his career was heavily involved in Lutheran World Federation's efforts for Namibia's independence and an end to apartheid in South Africa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806657634
• ISBN-13: 978-0806657639
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,137,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and Biblical, September 9, 2010

By 

H. C. Hoffman "Marblestar" (Forest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration (Paperback)

This book presents an honest, factual look at the history of immigration....from Biblical times to present. It reviews in greater detail the history of immigration relevant to Lutherans coming to the US, and the history of US immigration policy since Colonial times. Strong Biblical evidence is given in support of "welcoming the stranger", a command that God has given us since the Exodus from Egypt.

I have used this book as the basis of an adult Sunday School class.....and left the question of "What do WE do, in our local community" open to the class's leadings.

Well worth the price.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for teaching, June 9, 2009

By 

Sandra Jones (Columbia, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration (Paperback)

This is a very good resource for teaching in congregations about immigration and our call as Christians to welcome the stranger among us. Although it is written by Lutherans it would be applicable to any Christian denomination. As a Lutheran and a mission developer in an immigrant community I am thankful to have this resource to use as I visit other congregations to teach about the reasons for the presence of and our response to the immigrants living in our midst.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different and optimistic look at immigration, and a must read for Lutherans, July 16, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration (Paperback)

Love thy neighbor is a commonly trumpeted virtue of Christianity, and "They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration" echoes this sentiment. Authors Stephen Bouman & Ralston Deffenbaugh explains this viewpoint in regards to immigration calling for Lutherans to take these lost souls under their wing and help them to the best of their power, stating that charity and generosity is the Christian way of life. "They Are Us" is a different and optimistic look at immigration, and a must read for Lutherans.