…in a week. I’m tired of blogging, and I have projects that require my attention. Coincidentally, the Republican National Convention is this week. I doubt I’ll watch it.
August 2004
I. That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety….
III. That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation or community; of all the various modes and forms of government that is best, which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety and is most effectually secured against the danger of maladministration; and that, whenever any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.
IV. That no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges from the community, but in consideration of public services; which, not being descendible, neither ought the offices of magistrate, legislator, or judge be hereditary.
— From the Virginia Declaration of Rights
Update (11/1/11): Here’s a more recent article on Christians and illegal “immigration.
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Warning: Another long one!
This post may be referred to as “Part I” as I collect my thoughts on a Saturday morning. I never intended to blog about illegal immigration all week, but this post started it. After it received so many comments, I conducted further research and read reports, etc., to understand the policy implications of illegal immigration.
A few commenters grappled with what Christians should be doing/thinking about illegal immigration. These folks got my attention but never really fleshed out their thoughts. I will attempt to do so.
Let’s put aside the economic, social and cultural burdens illegal aliens impose on this country. From an economic standpoint, California is bearing enormous costs because of free medical care and overcrowding of government schools, for example. The budget shortfall in California is staggering ($38 billion? $40 billion?). Keep in mind that Governor Gray Davis was recalled for this reason.
It is not “un-Christian” to support restricted immigration into one’s country. It is not “un-Christian” to advocate deportation of illegal aliens. I challenge anyone to find in Scripture where such a concept is even hinted at.
Here’s the problem that arises when discussing biblical issues. In our secular society, humanistic philosophy is the norm. The Bible and God have been pushed out of government schools and the public sphere, and our society in general prefers that religious beliefs be kept private. In this regard, we don’t discuss these things in “mixed company.”
When referencing biblical things and speculating on “what Jesus would do,” there is a tendency among believers and unbelievers to argue philosophically rather than scripturally. I understand this temptation, especially when one doesn’t know what the Bible says about certain things. See Jesse Jackson’s Liberal Jesus, for example.
As a Christian, I look at it this way. My brothers and sisters in Christ come in all colors, shapes, sizes and countries. My fellow Christ followers are in Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Russia — in every country on the planet, including Mexico.
Among illegal aliens I have brothers and sisters in Christ. The call to share the Gospel with unbelievers and worship a merciful and gracious God with believers doesn’t stop at our national borders. God saves all kind of men, and all kind of men are my fellow inheritors of Christ’s bounty!
However, I am not required to ignore or oppose justice against lawbreakers, even if they are believers. Government is supposed to punish lawbreakers, and Christian criminals are not excepted. God appointed men to authority and laid down the function and role of government. In that same vein, as an aside, it is not unbiblical to support war. I’ve written about the role of government and a biblical view of war in a few posts:
A few announcements:
- Remember the freelance writer who wrote “Blogging Brothers (and Sisters)” for NRO? He and his friend Stephen have started blogging (using nicknames). Welcome to the blogosphere!
- See this week’s installments of the Christian Carnival and Carnival of the Vanities.
- No Walter Williams live on the Rush Limbaugh Show today.
