James K. Hoffmeier - The Immigration Crisis : Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible

Read this book if you want to throw light on the subject of immigration and not merely more heat. Dr. Hoffmeiers biblical exegesis gives us valuable perspective on national borders, guest workers, the difference between documented aliens and foreigners in Old Testament times, and many other matters.

MARVIN OLASKY, Editor-in-Chief, World Magazine;
Provost, The Kings College, New York City

Doubtless some will question this or that detail of his reading of Scripture, but Hoffmeiers book is a very healthy antidote to the merely sentimental readings that dominate much Christian thought on this complex and challenging issue.

D. A. CARSON, Research Professor of New Testament,
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

The Immigration Crisis offers biblical perspectives on how Christians might respond to the complex needs and challenges that legal and illegal immigration pose. Dr. James Hoffmeiers knowledge of the ancient Near East unlocks the door to the biblical wisdom that shaped Israels compassionate response to this timeless issue. You will discover how love and compassion for immigrants involves so much more than building or removing walls and deciding who receives or is denied amnesty.

REV. VIN UPHAM, Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church,
New Hartford, NY

Hoffmeier has produced an authoritative work on what the Bible does and does not say about immigration. He allows the Bible to speak for itself within its cultural context without reading modern politics into the text. While his knowledge of the biblical text and the greater ancient Near East set the groundwork for an accurate hermeneutical approach, his sensitivity to the issues provides a road map for the church to stay true to its biblical roots while serving its calling to be a light to the nations.

STEVEN M. ORTIZ, Associate Professor of Archaeology and Biblical
Backgrounds, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Dr. Hoffmeier has written with insight and balance. There is biblical compassion and legal accountability throughout the pages of this engaging journey of history and culture. This book should provoke meaningful discussion among civil and church leaders on this timely topic of immigration.

ROGER HABER, Senior Pastor, Central Baptist Church,
Middleboroughm Massachusetts

I come from a troubled nation from which hundreds of thousands of people have emigrated to western nations some legally and some illegally. Many have done so because of genuine pain, danger, or need they have experienced in Sri Lanka. I have always discouraged people from using illegal means to do this and often preached about this in Sri Lanka. I resonate fully with the dual biblical emphasis presented in this book of caring for the alien and of submitting to the laws of the land.

AJITH FERNANDO, National Director, Youth for Christ,
Sri Lanka

With his book The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens, and the Bible, Jim Hoffmeier has done the church a real service. He brings the Word of God to bear on one of the most pressing political and social issues of our day. Hoffmeier himself is especially well-equipped to bring us guidance on this issue. His own life, family, and career have been deeply intertwined with the issues of immigrants and aliens. Coupled with his long and fruitful career as a Biblical scholar, Hoffmeier has the tools to help us. A real strength of the book is its panoramic view of the entire canon. Certainly those of us who follow Christ need biblical light to shine on these pressing questions of our day. I would highly recommend Jim Hoffmeiers work as a wonderful starting place for developing a biblical perspective on the immigration crisis.

VIC GORDON, Senior Pastor, Beachpoint Church,
Fountain Valley, California

Conscientious Christians seeking to formulate a Christian response to illegal immi-gration will be much aided by Dr. Hoffmeiers work. He presents a careful consideration of the Hebrew language and context that aid the reader in understanding the Old Testament distinction between an alien and a foreigner. He then helpfully offers possible ways to apply these concepts to the current discussion. This former immi-grant is grateful for the clarity and insight he brings to this important issue.

LAURA C. MIGULEZ, Assistant Professor of Theology,
Wheaton College

How can we resolve the immigration crisis in America today with humane sensitivity but with respect for the rule of law? James Hoffmeier brings the clarity and structure of biblical society to the confusion and chaos of modern America. He is one of the rare scholars and thinkers who listens to the Bible and does not tell the Bible what it should say. He hears the Bible speaking about the true meaning of sanctuary and of being a part of a society rather than a stranger. As a rabbi, I have shared Hoffmeiers conclusions with members of my Jewish community who are fascinated and open to hear the message of this provocative and intellectually stimulating book. For anyone who believes in the Judeo-Christian way of life, this book is essential reading. I wish that we could have more books like this on the other important controversies of our time.

RABBI BENJAMIN SCOLNIC, Temple Beth Sholom, Hamden,
Connecticut; Adjunct Professor, Southern Connecticut State University

By exploring the Hebrew Bibles view on immigrants privileges, Hoffmeier effectively guides the reader through both a descriptive (what/how did God command Israel to treat its immigrants?) and a prescriptive (how people, in todays context, ought to treat its immigrants) process. I strongly recommend this helpful book to those seeking a biblical response.

DANIEL L. KIM, Assistant Professor of Old Testament,
Covenant Seminary, St. Louis

THE IMMIGRATION CRISIS

The Immigration Crisis

Copyright 2009 by James K. Hoffmeier

Published by Crossway Books
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher,
except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Cover design: J. McGrath

Cover photos: Veer & iStock

First printing, 2009

Printed in the United States of America

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible:
New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible
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Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations indicated as from ESV are taken from the ESV Bible
(The Holy Bible: English Standard Version). Copyright 2001 by Crossway
Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
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Scripture quotations indicated as from RSV are taken from The Holy Bible: Revised
Standard Version. Copyright 1946, 1952, 1971, 1973 by the Division of
Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

Scripture quotations indicated as from NRSV are taken from The Holy Bible: New
Revised Standard Version. Copyright 1989 by National Council of the Churches
of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.