Torch, Spring/Summer 2012

I expect we’ll hear much more about immigration as we head toward November’s presidential election. We’re so accustomed to hearing about immigration as a political issue that we seldom hear the topic raised outside of that context. Viewing immigration through that lens almost guarantees that we’ll only get part of the story, as the media seems to gravitate toward the most extreme points of view. The talking (sometimes shouting) heads would persuade us to believe the problem and its solution are binary: “illegal immigrants are victims of injustice; give them blanket amnesty,” or “illegal immigrants are lawbreakers; send them home.” Immigration has become a lightning-rod issue that has paralyzed lawmakers on both sides. This is what happens when we reach the end of man’s finite wisdom (or negotiating savvy). Yet, this may be just what it takes to awaken Christians to ask what the Bible has to say about immigration. Last fall, Cedarville hosted the first G92 Immigration Conference. G92 refers to the 92 times the Hebrew word ger (translated as alien, sojourner, or stranger) appears in the Old Testament. We invited leaders of national evangelical organizations to campus to explore immigration from a biblical perspective. All parties agreed to uphold the highest standards of civility in their discourse, providing a constructive example to our students of articulating a viewpoint with conviction while extending grace to those who disagree. This edition of Torch includes remarks from several of the keynote speakers who wrestle with this topic every day. It is undoubtedly incomplete as there are voices and viewpoints underrepresented here. Our intention is not to oversimplify the problem or advocate a single solution, but rather to give you a taste of G92 conference themes and introduce you to viewpoints on this topic that you likely have not seen covered on the evening news. Essays in this edition seek clarity and understanding on immigration that both respect the laws of our country while not losing sight of people whom God loves. This topic is a timely example of an age-old tension: is it a greater virtue to do justly or to love mercy? Micah 6:8 suggests that with humility and by God’s grace, Christ-followers can and must do both. William E. Brown, Ph.D. President of Cedarville University Welcoming the Stranger Making Sense of Today’s Critical Issues From a Biblical Perspective