I appreciate Jonathan Moore’s efforts to propose a conservative Christian response to this issue. (see http://bit.ly/9F8LFA)

This is especially true in light of some recent evangelical efforts that distort this issue in a decidedly unbiblical manner.

However, I question a bit the use of the terms “conservative” and “Christian” for this proposal.

In the first case Jonathan uses data from decidedly liberal organizations (Cato Institute, Center for American Progress). This is not to say the data is wrong. Rather, as these two organizations are effectively bent toward the socio-political left (CAP to a radical degree), the un-validated use of information from them tarnishes the point the data is marshaled to support. Frankly, it is foolish to trust anything at face value said by someone with a known agenda such as these organizations.

Further, his proposal only deals with the illegal immigrant’s need that motivates him to break our laws. Jonathan does not deal with the resulting chaos that follows from this culture of illegality. Justice for the illegal immigrant is not justice if it comes at the expense of justice for the legal immigrants and citizens of our land.

Finally, it is quite disturbing to see in a “Christian” proposal the unqualified use of OT case law. Admittedly Jonathan only uses the passage from Lev 19 to “illustrate” and support his main point, that the illegal immigrant is create in God’s image and so has some basic human rights. Yet such a usage of this passage (and similar) is illegitimate.

Such passages, applied now in the NT Church era, are not relevant to the civil realm, but the Church. It is in the Church that the alien is to be welcomed, as the gospel now is to be given to all who will come and believe.

Such passages simply do not apply to the civil realm. This is not to say that the Bible is silent in advice on such an issue (indeed, the second table of the law offers loads of insight). It is to say that any such usage must be consistent with the Bible’s preeminent emphasis on Christ’s person and work.

In the end I think Jonathan has identified some valid matters to be addressed in this issue. I do find myself sympathetic to the direction his points go (even as I disagree with how he develops them). I urge him and others with the calling in this area to listen to such criticism and perfect their arguments.

With such an important issue it is important to offer a definitively conservative and Christian response; one that does lend itself to the injustices found in the alternatives.

Reed DePace is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and is currently serving as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama