In this episode Pastor Raef deals with a very present issue of ICE in Chicago. This has been a polarizing topic, and Pastor Raef attempts to navigate through the polarizing voices looking at the Word of God, as we consider God’s purpose for government, and how it might relate to something like illegal immigration in our country.
https://www.newsweek.com/chicago-brandon-johnson-executive-order-ice-national-guard-10834723
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/federal-agents-shoot-woman-broadview-ice-facility
https://factually.co/fact-checks/justice/ice-blackhawks-chicago-apartment-raid-fc0012
https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/obama-immigration-raids-criticized/
This issue should not be complicated to understand. We cannot conflate illegal entry with immigration. Illegals are not immigrants. “Illegal immigration” is an oxymoron. I believe this term is used intentionally by politicians, the media, and others for the purpose of complicating an already difficult situation. That is why we have to consciously make the effort to stop using this term.
Immigrants come to a country, 1) legally and 2) they assimilate. While we are not bound to all the OT laws as they were, the principle still stands: those who came into the developing nation of Israel had to abide by their laws. They could not bring in their foreign gods and the practices associated with them. They had to come in by the proper means, and then assimilate into that culture.
The same should and often is the case in all functional countries. That is why what we are currently seeing is not immigration. It is invasion.
Just like someone cannot enter your house without lawful permission, people cannot enter our country without lawful permission. I understand non-Christians being confused about all of this. I don’t understand professing Christians being confused about it.
I appreciate you addressing this issue reasonably and biblically. I do still take issue with calling illegals “immigrants.” Other than that, this was a relief. I was afraid to listen to it, wondering how it would go.
I would respectfully request this issue be addressed in church where everyone can hear it. I would guess only a small percentage will catch it on podcast. Yes, it will make some people angry. Yes, maybe some people will leave the church. But the time is long past when Christians could avoid these hard topics. This issue is everywhere. If not addressed openly it will tear families and churches apart.
This is not a side issue. There is a clear biblical right and wrong here. We have to stand with what is right. The continued survival of our country depends on it.
While countries come and go, and while we know this is not our final home, with the fall of America would come a great loss. Where does the world go when they want to be free? They come here. If “here” is no longer free and functional, how would that impact the work of the Gospel around the world?
Hey Maureen. Thanks for your comments. I’m glad the podcast blessed you. Many of our folks do indeed listen to the podcast which is part of the reason I do the podcast. It gives me a weekly chance to speak biblically into issues that might not arise naturally out of a given text we are studying on a Sunday. Not sure when or if we will address this topic directly on a Sunday. But for now, grateful for your encouraging comment.
Thank you.