Responding to immigrants: using the Bible as the ultimate immigration handbook

Joan M Maruskin

Etd

Responding to immigrants: using the Bible as the ultimate immigration handbook

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Joan M Maruskin. Responding to Immigrants: Using the Bible As the Ultimate Immigration Handbook. Wesley Theological Seminary. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/7d723017-68fc-4fce-b5c3-8cc0b67cb58f.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

J. M. Maruskin. Responding to immigrants: using the Bible as the ultimate immigration handbook. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/7d723017-68fc-4fce-b5c3-8cc0b67cb58f

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Joan M Maruskin. Responding to Immigrants: Using the Bible As the Ultimate Immigration Handbook. Wesley Theological Seminary. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/7d723017-68fc-4fce-b5c3-8cc0b67cb58f.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

Joan M Maruskin

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In Copyright

Abstract

The biblical narrative is a migration story from beginning to end. It opens with the Spirit of God moving or migrating across the face of the waters and ends with the book of Revelation being written by John while he is in exile on the isle of Patmos. The key event for Christians is the birth of Jesus, the refugee Christ. The text outlines the migration narrative and compares and contrasts the relationship between the treatment of migrants, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers of today with those of that time period. The predominant term used for these groups in the text is 'strangers.' Theologically, the text develops the need for and method to practice inclusive hospitality in response to the strangers in the United States during the 21st century. Inclusive hospitality is developed by embracing the diversity of the Trinity and the teachings of the Bible. God, the creator, repeatedly mandates hospitality to strangers in the Hebrew Bible. Christ Jesus comes as the refugee, migrant, stranger and, in addition, models acceptance of and hospitality towards strangers. The Holy Spirit is presently with us, sent by Christ to guide and direct our response in the kairos moment in which we live. God continues to come as the stranger and we are challenged to respond with inclusive hospitality. The theology of the mystic Howard Thurman is also used to aid in responding to the strangers in the land. In responding, the decision to choose between God's law and man's law sometimes becomes a necessity. This issue is addressed with a chapter that provides an overview of immigration law to aid in understanding present-day immigration questions. In addition to providing information on immigrants, migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, the text offers a variety of teaching and worship materials. These include studies on the variety of immigrants, worship materials, general information, and three educational programs. They are a seven-session study that gives an overview of the immigration categories; a five-session study, 'Immigration: blessing or curse,' which seeks to have the participants decide; and a refugee study guide for children, youth, and adults. In addition, other educational materials are provided to facilitate an understanding of the importance of developing a theology of inclusive hospitality to welcome the strangers in the land -- because once we were strangers in the land of Egypt.

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