Immigration is one of the most complicated issues of our time. Voices on all sides argue strongly for action and change. Christians find themselves torn between the desire to uphold laws and the call to minister to the vulnerable. In this book World Relief staffers Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang move beyond the rhetoric to offer a Christian response to immigration. They put a human face on the issue and tell stories of immigrants' experiences in and out of the system. With careful historical understanding and thoughtful policy analysis, they debunk myths and misconceptions about immigration and show the limitations of the current immigration system. Ultimately they point toward immigration reform that is compassionate, sensible and just, as they offer concrete ways for you and your church to welcome and minister to your immigrant neighbors.
Welcoming the Stranger
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Welcoming the Stranger lays the groundwork for and practically equips Christians to continue practicing what it means to follow Christ's commandment to love God and love neighbor in a fallen world." (Kyle Navis, Latin American Theology, vol. 4, no. 2 )
"Soerens and Hwang argue persuasively that immigration has been and is valuable to the United States." (Marvin Olasky, WORLD, August 15, 2009 )
"Soerens and Hwang advocate a generous, biblically based invitation to all immigrants to take part in America. This book will not persuade all Christians to support liberalized immigration laws, but even the skeptical should find the authors' approach useful." (Tony Carnes, Christianity Today, May 2009 )
"Soerens and Hwang have injected justice, compassion, and truth into what needs to become a new conversation on immigration--values that are often in short supply in this debate." (Glen Peterson, Sojourners, June 2009 )
"Biblical, urgent, readable. An excellent introduction to this complex moral issue. All thinking evangelicals should read it." (Ronald J. Sider, president, Evangelicals for Social Action )
"Immigration is one of the most pressing issues facing our country today. Some twelve million undocumented immigrants live among us, but their lives are largely in the shadows. They are our neighbors and we are theirs. The ethical challenges that face us all are numerous in the legal, economic, educational and health areas. What would God have us do regarding these new neighbors? Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang have made an invaluable contribution to Christians through their book Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the Immigration Debate. With great precision and fairness, they lead us through the difficult and thorny ethical issues of immigration. They provide personal stories and abundant statistics. Most of all, they bring God's Word to challenge us to obey God and to welcome the strangers among us. This book is must-reading for every Christian and every congregation that desires to love the strangers in our midst." (Lindy Scott, professor of Spanish and Latin American studies, Whitworth University, and coauthor of Los Evangélicos: Portraits of Latin American Protestantism in the United States )
"Justice, compassion and truth are too often missing from the immigration debate in this country. Welcoming the Stranger provides all three with comprehensive information on every aspect of the current problem, its roots and commonsense solutions. Every Christian seeking an informed response to this critical issue should read this book." (Jim Wallis, president, Sojourners )
"Drawing from their experience in the trenches, Soerens and Hwang challenge their readers to move beyond the all-too-contentious and simplistic debate and think critically and biblically about what it means to love our immigrant neighbors. Clearly written and theologically informed, Welcoming the Stranger combines evocative stories of real people and the complexities of their lives with lucid explanations of immigration policy. Soerens and Hwang's book offers balanced yet impassioned analysis that is so rare but so essential to help Christians bring their faith to bear on this vexing policy issue." (Amy E. Black, associate professor of political science, Wheaton College, author, Beyond Left and Right )
"Finally, a book on the immigration challenge that combines head and heart! Soerens and Hwang have experienced both the frustrations and the hopes that come with caring about people in difficult circumstances. This book is deeply personal in a way that helps us all be compassionate, yet it does not dumb down the challenge we all face with our natural propensity for shallow platitudes and partisan politicking. This book helps us find our way as Americans and as Christians to understanding the real issues, and it will help us shape a comprehensive public policy direction that honors both law and love." (Dr. Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor, Northland Church, Orlando, Florida )
"Immigration stands as the metric of whether or not America embraces social justice in the twenty-first century. In Welcoming the Stranger Jenny Hwang and Matt Soerens contextualize the narrative of an issue that requires analysis and discussion not from the extremes of political ideology but rather from a platform of truth, justice and compassion. Jenny and Matt equip us with the necessary acumen to reconcile Romans 13, the rule of law, with Leviticus 19, treating the alien as one of our own. Accordingly, the universal Christian symbol is the cross. The cross is both vertical and horizontal, redemption and transformation, conviction and compassion. This book will challenge us to meet at the point of convergence, the great intersect, where John 3:16 meets Luke 4, immigration via a biblical worldview." (Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, president, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, The Hispanic NAE )
"Welcoming the Stranger is a must-read for one who desires to take a fresh biblical look at the issue of immigration in the U.S. I believe this is the compassion and justice issue of our day, and we need to do careful work so we are accurate and biblical in our solutions. I wholeheartedly endorse Jenny and Matt's wonderful work and commend it to you for your study." (William J. Hamel, president, Evangelical Free Church of America )
"Welcoming the Stranger is a great primer on immigration for the church. It is a historical, current, biblical and theological resource for the person who is trying to understand immigration issues today." (Reverend Luis Cortés Jr., president, Esperanza USA )
"Here is a book for every Christian and every church leadership team interested in one of the greatest mercy/justice issues of our time: how will the church care for immigrants in our midst? The authors write with sensitivity concerning the volatile emotions on all sides of the debates as they offer essential information designed to help us formulate responses to this very complex issue. Welcoming the Stranger inspired me to expand my heart of compassion and take action." (Paul Borthwick, adjunct professor of missions, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts )
"Thinking of immigration policy requires that we think first about the kingdom of God--God's rule and reign; his plan, will, agenda and story. Only then will we be able to think well through the secondary lenses of nation-states, tribes and ethnicities. The parable of the good Samaritan, while easy to understand, has fallen victim to global, political and economic complexities. Welcoming the Stranger, without being simplistic, clears our thoughts and lights a way forward to love and serve twelve million undocumented neighbors." (Todd Hunter, church planter, The Anglican Mission in the Americas, past president of Alpha USA and Vineyard Churches USA, and author of Christianity Beyond Belief )
"A daring and desperate call to remember the story of God that begins with baby Moses being floated down a river in the middle of Pharaoh's genocide and climaxes with God's Son entering the world as a homeless refugee in the middle of Herod's bloodshed. It is a story of immigrants and strangers. This book invites us to participate in the radical inclusion and grace of God. Welcoming the Stranger is written with the urgent sense that we cannot wait for politicians to tell us how to treat immigrants but we simply need to pick up the Bible and reimagine what it means to be the people of God. Here is a reminder that as a people of rebirth our love does not stop at the borders of nations." (Shane Claiborne, author, activist and recovering sinner )
"Soerens and Hwang argue persuasively that immigration has been and is valuable to the United States." (Marvin Olasky, WORLD, August 15, 2009 )
"Soerens and Hwang advocate a generous, biblically based invitation to all immigrants to take part in America. This book will not persuade all Christians to support liberalized immigration laws, but even the skeptical should find the authors' approach useful." (Tony Carnes, Christianity Today, May 2009 )
"Soerens and Hwang have injected justice, compassion, and truth into what needs to become a new conversation on immigration--values that are often in short supply in this debate." (Glen Peterson, Sojourners, June 2009 )
"Biblical, urgent, readable. An excellent introduction to this complex moral issue. All thinking evangelicals should read it." (Ronald J. Sider, president, Evangelicals for Social Action )
"Immigration is one of the most pressing issues facing our country today. Some twelve million undocumented immigrants live among us, but their lives are largely in the shadows. They are our neighbors and we are theirs. The ethical challenges that face us all are numerous in the legal, economic, educational and health areas. What would God have us do regarding these new neighbors? Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang have made an invaluable contribution to Christians through their book Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the Immigration Debate. With great precision and fairness, they lead us through the difficult and thorny ethical issues of immigration. They provide personal stories and abundant statistics. Most of all, they bring God's Word to challenge us to obey God and to welcome the strangers among us. This book is must-reading for every Christian and every congregation that desires to love the strangers in our midst." (Lindy Scott, professor of Spanish and Latin American studies, Whitworth University, and coauthor of Los Evangélicos: Portraits of Latin American Protestantism in the United States )
"Justice, compassion and truth are too often missing from the immigration debate in this country. Welcoming the Stranger provides all three with comprehensive information on every aspect of the current problem, its roots and commonsense solutions. Every Christian seeking an informed response to this critical issue should read this book." (Jim Wallis, president, Sojourners )
"Drawing from their experience in the trenches, Soerens and Hwang challenge their readers to move beyond the all-too-contentious and simplistic debate and think critically and biblically about what it means to love our immigrant neighbors. Clearly written and theologically informed, Welcoming the Stranger combines evocative stories of real people and the complexities of their lives with lucid explanations of immigration policy. Soerens and Hwang's book offers balanced yet impassioned analysis that is so rare but so essential to help Christians bring their faith to bear on this vexing policy issue." (Amy E. Black, associate professor of political science, Wheaton College, author, Beyond Left and Right )
"Finally, a book on the immigration challenge that combines head and heart! Soerens and Hwang have experienced both the frustrations and the hopes that come with caring about people in difficult circumstances. This book is deeply personal in a way that helps us all be compassionate, yet it does not dumb down the challenge we all face with our natural propensity for shallow platitudes and partisan politicking. This book helps us find our way as Americans and as Christians to understanding the real issues, and it will help us shape a comprehensive public policy direction that honors both law and love." (Dr. Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor, Northland Church, Orlando, Florida )
"Immigration stands as the metric of whether or not America embraces social justice in the twenty-first century. In Welcoming the Stranger Jenny Hwang and Matt Soerens contextualize the narrative of an issue that requires analysis and discussion not from the extremes of political ideology but rather from a platform of truth, justice and compassion. Jenny and Matt equip us with the necessary acumen to reconcile Romans 13, the rule of law, with Leviticus 19, treating the alien as one of our own. Accordingly, the universal Christian symbol is the cross. The cross is both vertical and horizontal, redemption and transformation, conviction and compassion. This book will challenge us to meet at the point of convergence, the great intersect, where John 3:16 meets Luke 4, immigration via a biblical worldview." (Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, president, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, The Hispanic NAE )
"Welcoming the Stranger is a must-read for one who desires to take a fresh biblical look at the issue of immigration in the U.S. I believe this is the compassion and justice issue of our day, and we need to do careful work so we are accurate and biblical in our solutions. I wholeheartedly endorse Jenny and Matt's wonderful work and commend it to you for your study." (William J. Hamel, president, Evangelical Free Church of America )
"Welcoming the Stranger is a great primer on immigration for the church. It is a historical, current, biblical and theological resource for the person who is trying to understand immigration issues today." (Reverend Luis Cortés Jr., president, Esperanza USA )
"Here is a book for every Christian and every church leadership team interested in one of the greatest mercy/justice issues of our time: how will the church care for immigrants in our midst? The authors write with sensitivity concerning the volatile emotions on all sides of the debates as they offer essential information designed to help us formulate responses to this very complex issue. Welcoming the Stranger inspired me to expand my heart of compassion and take action." (Paul Borthwick, adjunct professor of missions, Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts )
"Thinking of immigration policy requires that we think first about the kingdom of God--God's rule and reign; his plan, will, agenda and story. Only then will we be able to think well through the secondary lenses of nation-states, tribes and ethnicities. The parable of the good Samaritan, while easy to understand, has fallen victim to global, political and economic complexities. Welcoming the Stranger, without being simplistic, clears our thoughts and lights a way forward to love and serve twelve million undocumented neighbors." (Todd Hunter, church planter, The Anglican Mission in the Americas, past president of Alpha USA and Vineyard Churches USA, and author of Christianity Beyond Belief )
"A daring and desperate call to remember the story of God that begins with baby Moses being floated down a river in the middle of Pharaoh's genocide and climaxes with God's Son entering the world as a homeless refugee in the middle of Herod's bloodshed. It is a story of immigrants and strangers. This book invites us to participate in the radical inclusion and grace of God. Welcoming the Stranger is written with the urgent sense that we cannot wait for politicians to tell us how to treat immigrants but we simply need to pick up the Bible and reimagine what it means to be the people of God. Here is a reminder that as a people of rebirth our love does not stop at the borders of nations." (Shane Claiborne, author, activist and recovering sinner )
Review
"Thinking of immigration policy requires that we think first about the kingdom of God--God's rule and reign; his plan, will, agenda and story. Only then will we be able to think well through the secondary lenses of nation-states, tribes and ethnicities. The parable of the good Samaritan, while easy to understand, has fallen victim to global, political and economic complexities. Welcoming the Stranger, without being simplistic, clears our thoughts and lights a way forward to love and serve twelve million undocumented neighbors."
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More About the Author
Matthew Soerens is a Board of Immigration Appeals-accredited Immigration Counselor and Church Engagement Representative at World Relief DuPage in Wheaton, Illinois. Matthew is a graduate of Wheaton College (Illinois) and is originally from Neenah, Wisconsin.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Balance of Love and Law on Immigration,
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This review is from: Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate (Paperback)
Friendship is the face that Welcoming the Stranger gives to the situation of both legal and illegal immigrants. The book looks at immigration and offers constructive suggestions for response by the Christian faith community. Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang craft a viewpoint based on rational consideration of immigration and a biblically informed direction for the church and Christ followers.
The authors review the history of immigration and the current situation of the legal system that that should be governing the immigration process. They survey key biblical texts related to people who migrate, review concerns by some about immigration, the economic value of immigrants, and propose some concrete responses. The writers draw from their extensive personal and professional experiences working with immigrants and refugees. Soerens is an immigration attorney. Hwang is an advocacy worker in Washington, DC. Both work on staff for World Relief. Soerens and Hwang assert that the only way to resolve the situation of many individual migrants will be to change the law. Because we live in a democracy ". . . the dilemma of wanting to welcome immigrants while also expecting people to follow the law is not insurmountable: we can overcome this dilemma by changing the law so that many of those who today come illegally would be able to enter legally." (P. 111) This will be the path to showing compassion for immigrants and not encouraging them to break any laws. For the last 10-years the economy has absorbed immigrant workers at a higher rate than the legal system is designed to process. Calling on the church to live up to her commitment to justice, compassion and truth, this book provides practical, positive steps to disciple the church as she responds to immigration and immigrants: prayer, knowing, learning from our immigrant neighbors, giving, educating our churches and communities, and advocacy for better laws. Discussion questions in the appendix provide the opportunity for groups to reflect on and respond to the ideas in the book. Other helpful resources include a list of books, websites, organizations and ministries that work with immigrants, justice and root causes of immigration. As a result of reading the book we can be ready to welcome the opportunities brought by immigrants and immigration. Many immigrants and their families would welcome friendships from majority culture Christians. Out of these relationships, a better more Christian community can emerge.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommended,
This review is from: Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate (Paperback)
I highly recommend this book. A book like this has been needed for a long time. Immigration issues are affecting USA as well as many other countries around the world. Rather than simply recite the familiar arguments that one reads in the newspaper, this book is written to address the issues from a Christian perspective. No one who takes seriously the commands to love your neighbor and to care for the alien can ignore this issue. The book is very readable, especially because of how the authors give examples from their personal experiences. There is a chapter that gives a brief history on immigration in the USA which is very interesting.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear, challenging, and scriptural.,
This review is from: Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate (Paperback)
I just finished, "Welcoming the Stranger". This book takes today's current immigration reality in the U.S. and examines it from several relevant angles. First it describes very accurately and puts a human face on the current mess that we find ourselves in today. Next, it places the current immigration situation in the U.S. into it's historical context. This is very helpful and reminds one that "there is nothing new under the sun". Finally the book takes a very balanced and comprehensive look at how the Bible speaks to the issue. It then ends with some very practical chapters on what we as followers of Christ can do to make a difference through our lives and in our political advocacy. My eyes were opened through reading this book. I highly recommend it.
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lawful permanent resident, immigration dilemma, many undocumented immigrants, unlawful presence, immigration today, native workforce, immigrant neighbors, immigration system, birthright citizenship, undocumented population Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Social Security, World Relief, The Value of Immigration, Concerns About Immigration, Nation of Immigrants, National Association of Evangelicals, Old Testament, Christian Response, Immigrating the Legal Way, New Testament, North America, Ellis Island, Jesus Christ, President Bush, Thinking Biblically About Immigration, Latin American, Fourteenth Amendment, Second Language, Global South, Western Hemisphere, American Christians, Fort Worth, New York Harbor, African American Browse Sample Pages:
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lawful permanent resident, immigration dilemma, many undocumented immigrants, unlawful presence, immigration today, native workforce, immigrant neighbors, immigration system, birthright citizenship, undocumented population Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Social Security, World Relief, The Value of Immigration, Concerns About Immigration, Nation of Immigrants, National Association of Evangelicals, Old Testament, Christian Response, Immigrating the Legal Way, New Testament, North America, Ellis Island, Jesus Christ, President Bush, Thinking Biblically About Immigration, Latin American, Fourteenth Amendment, Second Language, Global South, Western Hemisphere, American Christians, Fort Worth, New York Harbor, African American Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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