The Bible and Immigration

A Critical and Empirical Reassessment

Markus Zehnder

• Publisher: Pickwick Publications
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN:
  9781725297982
  9781725297999
• eBook ISBN:
  9781725298002
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

Questions relating to (im)migration are among the most heated topics on both sides of the Atlantic. Western societies have changed dramatically because of large-scale immigration in the last decades. Christians are also engaged in the discussion, attempting to find direction from the biblical texts. Overwhelmingly, persons in leading positions (both in the secular world and in churches and faith-based organizations) support the concept of "welcoming the stranger." The Bible is seen by them as urging us to open the borders as wide as we can. In the broader population, however, reservations remain. This book, written by a Bible professor who has witnessed mass-migration first-hand, both in Europe and in the U.S., and who has been a migrant himself for over twenty years, attempts to step back and look at the whole of the complex biblical witness, instead of cherry-picking passages that further a specific agenda. It also looks at the salient data on the ground, in the fields of psychology, demography, economy, and security--data that can no longer be ignored when trying to apply the Bible in a responsible way. The book demonstrates the shortcomings of the vast majority of biblical and theological publications on the issue of (im)migration and presents a comprehensive argument for the use of wisdom and caution, and against short-sighted and emotionally driven policies supporting open borders.

1

Pitfalls in Approaching Migration Issues

1. General Observations

Attention must be paid to the fact that migration is a socio-politically sensitive issue. Doing research on this topic is commonly not as unaffected by a variety of agendas as—to choose a random example—would be the case in the area of the botanical analysis of the variety of roses or the historical analysis of the clashes between Egypt and Assyria in the Iron Age. Therefore, special attention must be given to critically question a priori-assumptions of all kinds and to identify distortions in the application of scientific standards that may turn the research process into a support engine for a politically (or otherwise) driven agenda.

The identification of some of the most important problems and pitfalls in the current discussion on migration may be used as a map that points to the areas in which further research and careful discussion are needed. A good number of these points will be dealt with in the subsequent parts of the present volume, especially those that are connected to the use of the Bible in the migration debate.

2. Pitfalls Not Primarily or Exclusively Related to the Use of the Bible1

2.1. A Priori Positive or Negative Views of Migration/Migrants

In many cases, as a matter of basic assumption, (im)migration (either generally or in unspecified terms) is seen as either a priori positive or a priori negative. Related to this is the notion that migrants per se are either an enrichment or a threat.2 These problems are related to the fact that (im)migration is a topic that highly engages observers both politically and religiously.3

2.2. Migration as an Uncontrollable Process

In many cases, again as a matter of basic assumption, migration (either generally or in unspecified terms) is seen as an unavoidable and largely uncontrollable process, in much the same way as processes in nature.4 This is normally related to the view that globalization has to be accepted as a fact that cannot or should not be critically questioned.5

2.3. Migrants as Victims

In many cases, migrants (or at least the vast majority of them) are primarily or almost exclusively perceived as victims.6 A frequent corollary of this view is that the receiving societies in the West are seen as exclusionary and discriminating.7

2.4. Extreme Views of Ethnic and National Identity

Ethnic and national identity, which are affected by large-scale immigration, are seen as either static or completely fluid.8

2.5. Lack of Differentiation between Various Kinds of Migration

Migration issues are frequently addressed with a lack of differentiation between various kinds of migration.9 Distinctions are often—and with good reasons, in my view—made between “refugees” and “economic migrants.” It is, however, a matter of dispute—both on the theoretical level and in practice—who qualifies as “refugee,” and one has to admit that the polar distinction between “refugees” and “economic migrants” is in many cases not adequate enough to reflect the complexities of reality.10

In recent times, new types of migration have appeared, among them such types that are marked by an increasing importance of trans-national identities in which traditional concepts of one-way movements no longer apply (cf. the previous category of “guest workers”).11 The causes or motivations for migration are subject to changes as well.

One of the most contentious issues in this lemma is the distinction between legal and illegal types of migration.12 This issue is complicated by the fact that “legality” is a relative concept, exposed to the constant change that takes place in the legal system. The challenge to navigate between the importance of the rule of law and the fact that all positive law is not “eternal,” and the tension between positive laws and “laws of nature” and “divine law,” will never be solved once and for all. In the current debate, the notion of “human rights” often plays a prominent role in discussions related to the legal domain. However, it should be admitted that the introduction of this notion does not “solve” the problem either.

A lack of differentiation is also apparent where immigration to distinct countries of destination by distinct types of migrants is not taken sufficiently into account. Within the horizon of the present investigation, this is especially pertinent with a view to the differences between the situation in many countries in Europe as compared to the situation in the U.S.

2.6. Migration as the Preferred Instrument in the Fight against Poverty

Migration is often presupposed to be the best option to alleviate poverty for people in developing countries.13 As we shall see in chapter 6, this presupposition is not in accordance with reality. The problems related to migration and mass-immigration must not be ignored.

2.7. Focus on Either Micro-Level or Macro-Level Perspective

In ma...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Preface
• Abbreviations
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Pitfalls in Approaching Migration Issues
• Chapter 2: Complexity of Views on Migration Attested in the Hebrew Bible
• Chapter 3: New Testament Views on Migration
• Chapter 4: Historical Differences between Biblical Times and the Present
• Chapter 5: Broadening the Horizon I
• Chapter 6: Broadening the Horizon II
• Chapter 7: General Biblical Reflections Pertaining to the Ethics of Migration
• Chapter 8: The Application of the Bible to Current Issues of Migration
• Brief Summary and Conclusions
• Bibliography