Our Savior’s Lutheran hosted the second of four weekly talks with regard to immigration on Wednesday, March 11 at 7:15 p.m. With 19 total in attendance including the presenter, Deacon Darrel Diers gave a presentation entitled “The Bible and Immigration.” Diers thanked his wife Anne for helping set up the Powerpoint presentation and for giving a pertinent reflection point: the Bible is the word of God. Jesus is the WORD of God. Included with the presentation note sheet for attendees was a set of reflection question along with a contemporary quote, with Leviticus 19:33-34 featured on the page as well.
“In my opinion, you could say the whole of the Bible is about immigration,” Diers said, saying that the Bible didn’t use the word itself but instead words like “alien,” “sojourner,” and “foreigner.”
Touched on by Diers were the migration of Abraham from Genesis 12 and sojourn of the Israelites in Egypt recorded in the end of Genesis and start of Exodus. “They did not have their own homeland until Joshua,” he said of Israel under Moses’ successor.
Churches shared the immigration experience as well as journeying towards heaven.
“Our core identity is not the host culture,” Diers said. “We are all immigrants.”
From there Diers shared what were termed “Principles of Immigration,” starting with love of neighbor.
“Our love should extend beyond our inner circle,” Diers said, citing Leviticus 19:34, Mark 12:29-31, Romans 13:10, 1 John. 4:19, and Galatians 5:14.
Also important was welcoming strangers, considered an important part of a Christian’s calling.
Among verses cited in support were Hebrews 13, Matthew 25:35-40, Exodus 22:21, Deuteronomy 10:19, and Luke 10:33.
The third principle to consider was God’s Justice for the oppressed.
“Our faith compels us to make the world a more equitable place,” Diers said. “We must resist the urge to do harm.”
Given in support of the third principle were Isaiah 1:17, Proverbs 31:8-9, Zechariah 7:10, Psalm 146:9, and Jeremiah 22:3.
The fourth principle of immigration was God’s love and mercy, considered central to the faith and how one was to treat immigrants. Given in support of the fourth point were Luke 6:36, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Micah 6:8, Titus 3:5, and Ephesians 2:4-5.
“Paul reminds us that our salvation experience is rooted in God’s grace and mercy,” Diers said.
The fifth principle to consider was Unity in Diversity, shown forth in the Trinity. God called those who believe in Him to unite as one body in Christ. Given in support were Ephesians 4:3, Galatians 3:28, Revelation 7:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12, and Philippians 2:2.
The last principle to consider was prayer and support for immigrants and their families. Given in support of the last point were Philippians 4:6-7, First Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:16, Ephesians 6:18, and Romans 12:12.
With this week’s talk “Reasons for Migrating” taking place Wednesday, March 18 from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. with Dr. Tom Gelhaus, the final talk in the four part series at Our Savior’s Lutheran is “God’s Children, Our Neighbors” by Deacon Lidixie Montoya on Wednesday, March 25 from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. The presentation is free, with all welcome to attend.