This book brings the issue of immigration into the context of the Bible and Christianity, which given the way religious rhetoric is being used against immigrants in our recent past is a much needed voice.

A very interesting analysis of the immigration issue in the US, and should be read by all Christians who wish to have an opinion on the issue! The bible clearly tells us to welcome the stranger, and this book will fill in any gaps that people may have in their understanding of that issue.

Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang both work for World Relief, which started as a branch of the National Association of Evangelicals to provide assistance for refugees. This tells you two things you can assume about their book Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion, and Truth in the Immigration Debate. First, you know they have a big heart of compassion for immigrants. Second, their perspective is biblically and theologically sound. Both assumptions would be true.



Their case for biblical compassion for immigrants is clear and pretty much irrefutable. Who can argue with treating others with dignity and grace, no matter their place of birth? The scriptural basis for loving the alien is plentiful. But more than that, Soerens and Yang speak from their own experience, telling the stories of individuals they have known, to put a human face on immigration. They also spend a lot of time debunking persistent myths about the economic productivity (strong) and criminality (unusual) of immigrants, legal and illegal.



On one level, Soerens and Yang have me wholly in their corner. (Full disclosure: I have directed fund raisers for World Relief at my local church.) Yet here's where they fall short. For all their arguments for the economic benefits of immigration and the general lawfulness of immigrants, they didn't convince me that there should be no limits on immigration. Does my personally welcoming a stranger to my home or church or neighborhood necessarily mean I must support policies that welcome all comers to live in the U.S.? That sort of policy is unsustainable.



I know there's a tension here. I believe I can treat an undocumented immigrant family with love and neighborliness while seeking political answers to end illegal immigration and promote legal, limited immigration policies. It's a hard balance that requires turning some people away, but there is no way all the huddled masses can fit in the U.S. (What's the alternative, you ask me? Promoting democratic capitalism across the globe. That's a topic for another book.) Soerens and Yang bring sanity, facts, and compassion to this controversial conversation.







Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion, & Truth in the Immigration Debate was originally published in 2009; a copy graces our bookshelves, but admittedly, I had not yet read it. However, when I saw they were re-releasing it with revised chapters, I happily moved the 2018 title to the top of my reading list.

Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang are well poised to inform others on the immigration debate. They live in diverse neighborhoods and work at World Relief, a faith-based resettlement agency.

Soerens and Yang structured the book by first laying out the US immigration system. Then they examine immigration in the Bible through the lens of learning about God's heart on this issue and how Christians should respond. They thoroughly address common concerns as well as statistics to show the value of immigration. They offer possible solutions and challenges the church should consider as we live in a country where immigration divides people politically and socially.

The appendices offer practical support in the form of discussion questions, lists of ministries and organizations that serve refugees and immigrants, resources to get involved politically, and suggestions for further reading.

I found myself underlining swaths of this book. It is a timely resource, with the updated sections particularly relevant, and there is no shortage of concrete facts and footnoted materials. While this book is written from an evangelical standpoint, I believe others of different (or no) faith could see the value of this revised and updated text.

(I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and InterVarsity Press in exchange for my honest review.)

Welcoming the Stranger
Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate
by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang
InterVarsity Press
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 03 Jul 2018
I am reviewing a copy of Welcoming the Stranger through Inter-varsity Press and Netgalley:


Immigration is one of the hot button topics. Everyone has an opinion and voices on all sides want both action and change. Many Christians find themselves torn on one hand they want to uphold laws on the other they want to minister to the vulnerable.


In Welcoming the Stranger Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang World Relief Immigration experts go beyond just the rhetoric to give a Christian response to immigration.



The authors warn us against falling for false statistics as well as false assumptions.


In this book Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang put a human face to the issues of Immigration and the immigrant experience. With historical understanding and through thoughtful policy analysis. The authors debunk myths and misconceptions about Immigration as well as showing the limits of the current immigration system.


The authors go on to point to a reform that is both compassionate and sensible, and they offer real ways for you and your church to welcome and minister to your immigrant neighbors.


I give Welcoming the Stranger five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

If you think the immigration issues of our day are clear cut, this book will personalize the issue and put things into perspective