I've been waiting for this. Thank you. I appreciate your words after a week of watching people I had respected fall prey to fear and propaganda. Their words and calls for harm against protesters are so disconnected from God, yet they'll lead the prayer at dinner this weekend. I'm tired and praying for my own courage to speak up.
Let's say this out loud A LOT. I said it about St. Augustine on a youtube video and you would not believe the blowback. Jesus AND ALL HIS DISCIPLES were Mizrahi Jews, ie., Middle Eastern not Ashkenazi aka European. St. Augustine was from North Africa. St. Paul was not "white," to the extent that is even a meaningful descriptor. Jesus would be facing deportation under the Trump regime as would all these people AND HIS MOTHER AND FATHER.
I've been reading Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited for my August term reading at Virginia Theological Seminary while also using Steven Charleston's Ladder to the Light as a key text for a Bible study I am leading at my church. A huge theme that is coming out of both of them (connecting to this amazing article of yours) is the theme of common humanity. Both authors insist on highlighting the humanity of every disinherited person-- which you so clearly do about every person through your ministry online! But the issue lies in the fact that our leaders do not do this! Our leaders do not care about the humanity of the undocumented people who are just looking for a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
My beloved priest of my home church, which is supporting me in attending seminary, reminded us on the day of Pentecost that Christ was always about the widening of mercy (which you stated above). I have to continually point out to myself that the widening of mercy has to be given to those who deny the common humanity of their neighbors, too, which is tough. I am grateful for people like you who insist on the dignity of all. Howard Thurman states that loving is the lens that we should look through: "But to love them does not mean to condone their way of life" (Jesus and the Disinherited, 84). Thank you for your work and for the reminder that Christ dwells in every person, especially those we oppress.
And they end up in a stable like many immigrants today end up in over-crowded apartments because it is all the can afford and they are places to hide while they try to get jobs and a bit set aside to start a life.
Jesus said, "I was a stranger and you did not welcome me." And somehow a seminary president read that and thought, "Hmm. Probably just meant white missionaries with podcast merch."
What kind of kingdom theology reduces Christ to a passport-holder?
Empire logic always needs a scapegoat. But kingdom logic flips the whole table. It tells you the people you're most afraid of are where God hides out. It tells you the border isn’t where the danger is—it’s where your compassion gets tested.
Nathan can quote ICE reports all day, but Jesus said he was the one behind bars. He said he was the undocumented stranger. He said if we don't welcome the least, we don't welcome him.
That's not liberal theology. That’s red-letter Christianity.
So if your version of faith has you locking Jesus up at the border and mocking him in the comments section, maybe it's not Christ you're following. Maybe it's Pharaoh in a fish bumper sticker.
Your words always help me to keep my head up. And these days, with the suffering that is happening here in LA and throughout the country and in the Gaza and Ukraine and Sudan and, and, and...one's head just starts to be bowed down in sorrow and the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness and rage. Good to know you are out there doing what we used to call, "the Lord's work" meaning social justice activism.
Jesus was a refugee, his family fled into Egypt to escape Herod, he understands the plight of those without homes. I cannot fathom people who can't see that he stands for the least, for the forgotten, for the overlooked. Do any of these so-called Christians actually read their New Testament?
Very well said. Thank you for taking the time to articulate this without spewing hate on others - yet still taking a stand.
I've been waiting for this. Thank you. I appreciate your words after a week of watching people I had respected fall prey to fear and propaganda. Their words and calls for harm against protesters are so disconnected from God, yet they'll lead the prayer at dinner this weekend. I'm tired and praying for my own courage to speak up.
Do they not realize that Jesus was not White?
Let's say this out loud A LOT. I said it about St. Augustine on a youtube video and you would not believe the blowback. Jesus AND ALL HIS DISCIPLES were Mizrahi Jews, ie., Middle Eastern not Ashkenazi aka European. St. Augustine was from North Africa. St. Paul was not "white," to the extent that is even a meaningful descriptor. Jesus would be facing deportation under the Trump regime as would all these people AND HIS MOTHER AND FATHER.
yes, i agree so much with this, race is a construct
I've been reading Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited for my August term reading at Virginia Theological Seminary while also using Steven Charleston's Ladder to the Light as a key text for a Bible study I am leading at my church. A huge theme that is coming out of both of them (connecting to this amazing article of yours) is the theme of common humanity. Both authors insist on highlighting the humanity of every disinherited person-- which you so clearly do about every person through your ministry online! But the issue lies in the fact that our leaders do not do this! Our leaders do not care about the humanity of the undocumented people who are just looking for a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
My beloved priest of my home church, which is supporting me in attending seminary, reminded us on the day of Pentecost that Christ was always about the widening of mercy (which you stated above). I have to continually point out to myself that the widening of mercy has to be given to those who deny the common humanity of their neighbors, too, which is tough. I am grateful for people like you who insist on the dignity of all. Howard Thurman states that loving is the lens that we should look through: "But to love them does not mean to condone their way of life" (Jesus and the Disinherited, 84). Thank you for your work and for the reminder that Christ dwells in every person, especially those we oppress.
Jesus and the disinherited is one of my favorite books! Truly incredible
Let's not forget that the whole story of Christmas, is that of an immigrant family seeking shelter to give birth to their son...Jesus.
And they end up in a stable like many immigrants today end up in over-crowded apartments because it is all the can afford and they are places to hide while they try to get jobs and a bit set aside to start a life.
https://open.substack.com/pub/agatepastor/p/jesus-is-a-migrant-worker-in-a-home?r=2ycri&utm_medium=ios
Jesus said, "I was a stranger and you did not welcome me." And somehow a seminary president read that and thought, "Hmm. Probably just meant white missionaries with podcast merch."
What kind of kingdom theology reduces Christ to a passport-holder?
Empire logic always needs a scapegoat. But kingdom logic flips the whole table. It tells you the people you're most afraid of are where God hides out. It tells you the border isn’t where the danger is—it’s where your compassion gets tested.
Nathan can quote ICE reports all day, but Jesus said he was the one behind bars. He said he was the undocumented stranger. He said if we don't welcome the least, we don't welcome him.
That's not liberal theology. That’s red-letter Christianity.
So if your version of faith has you locking Jesus up at the border and mocking him in the comments section, maybe it's not Christ you're following. Maybe it's Pharaoh in a fish bumper sticker.
Your words always help me to keep my head up. And these days, with the suffering that is happening here in LA and throughout the country and in the Gaza and Ukraine and Sudan and, and, and...one's head just starts to be bowed down in sorrow and the overwhelming feeling of powerlessness and rage. Good to know you are out there doing what we used to call, "the Lord's work" meaning social justice activism.
Jesus was a refugee, his family fled into Egypt to escape Herod, he understands the plight of those without homes. I cannot fathom people who can't see that he stands for the least, for the forgotten, for the overlooked. Do any of these so-called Christians actually read their New Testament?