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Jesus the Refugee: Ancient Injustice and Modern Solidarity
Images of modern refugees often invoke images of the infant Christ and the historical circumstances of the holy family's flight to Egypt in the face of persecution. But rather than leaving this association at the merely symbolic level, Jesus the Refugee explores Jesus's flight through modern legal conventions on refugee status in the United States and the European Union. Would Jesus and his parents be protected from refoulement? Would they receive rights to employment and civic engagement? Would they be turned away? Is the holy family a refugee family? Jesus the Refugee argues that the holy family has a limited set of legal options for protection, but under current law is unlikely to receive any. This shocking claim stands or falls on legal details like the ability to demonstrate reasonable fear of persecution, or whether fleeing Palestine (but not the Roman Empire) affords protection for internally displaced migrants. Besides introducing the basics of modern refugee law and processes, Jesus the Refugee aims to raise ethical challenges to our current refugee system by highlighting Jesus as one of the "least of these," indicting our moral failures and challenging us to make amends.
230 pages, Paperback
Published January 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 26, 2025
I learned a lot from this book, and I am still processing all of the information. Reading this book during Trump’s second term is disheartening in many ways, as the situation is much worse in 2025 than it was in 2021–2022 when this book was written. I’m so thankful for people like Saralyn, who daily help refugee communities through legal action. And as I finish this book, I’m still trying to figure out exactly how I also can stand in solidarity with refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants.
I highly recommend this book to any and all readers! If you need a copy, just ask—you can have mine!
I highly recommend this book to any and all readers! If you need a copy, just ask—you can have mine!
July 2, 2023
Especially around the Christmas season, it is increasingly common in more progressive Christian contexts to see a meme featuring the Holy Family pictured as immigrants/refugees. The purpose is to connect the flight to Egypt with the current plight of refugees, and immigrants (especially undocumented ones) who are fleeing problematic realities back home. The imagery is powerful. But as powerful as the imagery is, we might ask what it all means. How might the story of the Holy Family, found only in Matthew, speak to contemporary concerns?
In "Jesus the Refugee," theologian Glenn Butner engages in a thought experiment in which the flight of the Holy Family from Herod's clutches is interpreted through the lens of modern immigration/refugee policies and laws. The question before us is this: would the Holy Family qualify for refugee status? To find an answer we need to understand the various laws and policies that exist in the United States, the European Union, and other nation-states. There are specific protocols and laws on the books that provide the basis for deciding whether they would be welcomed today.
This is, in many ways a book of liberation theology, but the theologian doing the work isn't your typical liberal. He's an evangelical scholar teaching at a small Christian college in rural Kansas. The people who endorsed the book come from places like Wheaton, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Abilene Christian University. Butner draws on Scripture, theology, and legal analysis to provide what I believe is a compelling and important look at one of the major crises of our time.
Butner begins the book by asking the question of whether Jesus and his family might be considered refugees, and what the steps might look like for this to be determined. He makes it clear that he hopes that the reader will gain sufficient knowledge to act in solidarity with those who are refugees. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the book, such that Chapter 2 "A Day in Court" is the true beginning of the experiment. In this chapter, Butner defines refugee status and the rights of refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention of the UN. One of the rights in that convention is protection from forcible return to a country from which one fled, as well as other rights. Additionally, there is the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which updated the 1951 convention. The 1980 US Refugee Act is based on these protocols. Butner notes that there are 4 criteria on which refugee status can be granted, three of which he explores in Chapter 2. These include a "well-founded fear of persecution;" the reasons for fear meet Article 1 of the 1951 convention; whether it was possible to find protection in the home country. The fourth criterion is explored in Chapter 3 and focuses on whether the refugee is currently outside the country of their nationality. The challenge for refugees, including the Holy Family, is proof. Proof likely would have been difficult for the Holy Family. In Chapter 3, Butner looks at the question of location. In other words, would they be seen as refugees fleeing another country or would they be considered Internally Displaced Persons (both Judea and Egypt were, after all, parts of the Roman Empire)? As you can see this is getting complicated.
In chapter 4, titled "Crossing Dangerous Borders," Butner looks at the dangers faced by the Holy Family and modern refugees and migrants. This includes questions of resettlement, militarized borders, a lack of due process, and more. The discussion of a lack of due process is something most American readers will find odd because it is supposed to be part of our system. However, it isn't necessarily true for refugees and asylum seekers. Operation Streamline appears in several places. It is a process where hearings are streamlined, in the sense that those seeking refugee status face overburdened judges in large contingents, often without representation. Rarely does one's application succeed.
Immigration has become increasingly politicized. Many anti-immigrant efforts build on fear. Politicians and the media have sought to create a fear of the immigrant/refugee, often suggesting that they are criminals and involve themselves in criminal activities. In Chapter 5, Butner challenges these efforts. While anecdotal "evidence" might prove the point of the anti-immigrant position, statistics and studies don't support their charges. This chapter is both insightful and sad. I say sad, because too many Americans, including Christians, have allowed themselves to be swayed by false stories. He also deals with economic impacts. Again, these do not support the fear-mongerer's positions. Thus, this chapter is really a must-read!
In chapter 6, Butner explores the question of solidarity with refugees, and our duty as Christians to live in solidarity with refugees. Here Butner connects solidarity with refugees with solidarity with Christ. Recognizing that there are different positions on this matter, he addresses the counterpoints, answering them all. Having addressed the challenges, including seemingly racist perspectives by some politically influential Christian leaders, he speaks to our duties as Christians when it comes to refugees. Butner notes that it's highly unlikely that the Holy Family would get any assistance within the modern refugee system. That reveals a moral failing when it comes to the system. When it comes to a Christian response to refugees, Butner insists that Christians have a duty to show solidarity with refugees, to be in solidarity with their Refugee King.
Butner concludes his book in chapter 7, which is titled "Solidarity in Practice," with several practical ways in which we can show solidarity with refugees. That starts by providing for the needs of refugees. But that is only the beginning, as too often solidarity is merely charity. There needs to be more specific institutional changes so that refugees can provide for self-determination. Refugees are not simply victims. They often possess great courage, perseverance, and ability to care for themselves if allowed to find work and places to live. There is also the need for nations to take responsibility for their own actions that directly or indirectly lead to the plight of refugees (the United States has a long history of interventions that have created displacement). There is, of course, more to this question of solidarity, but these are a few examples.
Butner closes the book with these words: "In light of the tepid Christian support of refugees in Europe and the United States, the challenge of Jesus the Refugee is a call to repentance for many Christians that they might show solidarity with Jesus the Refugee by seeing modern refugees as Jesus and acting accordingly." (p. 195). If that sounds a bit like Matthew 25, you would not be wrong. For those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus, this book will serve to define what that should mean in practice. May we find ways of being in solidarity with Jesus who comes to us as a refugee.
In "Jesus the Refugee," theologian Glenn Butner engages in a thought experiment in which the flight of the Holy Family from Herod's clutches is interpreted through the lens of modern immigration/refugee policies and laws. The question before us is this: would the Holy Family qualify for refugee status? To find an answer we need to understand the various laws and policies that exist in the United States, the European Union, and other nation-states. There are specific protocols and laws on the books that provide the basis for deciding whether they would be welcomed today.
This is, in many ways a book of liberation theology, but the theologian doing the work isn't your typical liberal. He's an evangelical scholar teaching at a small Christian college in rural Kansas. The people who endorsed the book come from places like Wheaton, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Abilene Christian University. Butner draws on Scripture, theology, and legal analysis to provide what I believe is a compelling and important look at one of the major crises of our time.
Butner begins the book by asking the question of whether Jesus and his family might be considered refugees, and what the steps might look like for this to be determined. He makes it clear that he hopes that the reader will gain sufficient knowledge to act in solidarity with those who are refugees. Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the book, such that Chapter 2 "A Day in Court" is the true beginning of the experiment. In this chapter, Butner defines refugee status and the rights of refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention of the UN. One of the rights in that convention is protection from forcible return to a country from which one fled, as well as other rights. Additionally, there is the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which updated the 1951 convention. The 1980 US Refugee Act is based on these protocols. Butner notes that there are 4 criteria on which refugee status can be granted, three of which he explores in Chapter 2. These include a "well-founded fear of persecution;" the reasons for fear meet Article 1 of the 1951 convention; whether it was possible to find protection in the home country. The fourth criterion is explored in Chapter 3 and focuses on whether the refugee is currently outside the country of their nationality. The challenge for refugees, including the Holy Family, is proof. Proof likely would have been difficult for the Holy Family. In Chapter 3, Butner looks at the question of location. In other words, would they be seen as refugees fleeing another country or would they be considered Internally Displaced Persons (both Judea and Egypt were, after all, parts of the Roman Empire)? As you can see this is getting complicated.
In chapter 4, titled "Crossing Dangerous Borders," Butner looks at the dangers faced by the Holy Family and modern refugees and migrants. This includes questions of resettlement, militarized borders, a lack of due process, and more. The discussion of a lack of due process is something most American readers will find odd because it is supposed to be part of our system. However, it isn't necessarily true for refugees and asylum seekers. Operation Streamline appears in several places. It is a process where hearings are streamlined, in the sense that those seeking refugee status face overburdened judges in large contingents, often without representation. Rarely does one's application succeed.
Immigration has become increasingly politicized. Many anti-immigrant efforts build on fear. Politicians and the media have sought to create a fear of the immigrant/refugee, often suggesting that they are criminals and involve themselves in criminal activities. In Chapter 5, Butner challenges these efforts. While anecdotal "evidence" might prove the point of the anti-immigrant position, statistics and studies don't support their charges. This chapter is both insightful and sad. I say sad, because too many Americans, including Christians, have allowed themselves to be swayed by false stories. He also deals with economic impacts. Again, these do not support the fear-mongerer's positions. Thus, this chapter is really a must-read!
In chapter 6, Butner explores the question of solidarity with refugees, and our duty as Christians to live in solidarity with refugees. Here Butner connects solidarity with refugees with solidarity with Christ. Recognizing that there are different positions on this matter, he addresses the counterpoints, answering them all. Having addressed the challenges, including seemingly racist perspectives by some politically influential Christian leaders, he speaks to our duties as Christians when it comes to refugees. Butner notes that it's highly unlikely that the Holy Family would get any assistance within the modern refugee system. That reveals a moral failing when it comes to the system. When it comes to a Christian response to refugees, Butner insists that Christians have a duty to show solidarity with refugees, to be in solidarity with their Refugee King.
Butner concludes his book in chapter 7, which is titled "Solidarity in Practice," with several practical ways in which we can show solidarity with refugees. That starts by providing for the needs of refugees. But that is only the beginning, as too often solidarity is merely charity. There needs to be more specific institutional changes so that refugees can provide for self-determination. Refugees are not simply victims. They often possess great courage, perseverance, and ability to care for themselves if allowed to find work and places to live. There is also the need for nations to take responsibility for their own actions that directly or indirectly lead to the plight of refugees (the United States has a long history of interventions that have created displacement). There is, of course, more to this question of solidarity, but these are a few examples.
Butner closes the book with these words: "In light of the tepid Christian support of refugees in Europe and the United States, the challenge of Jesus the Refugee is a call to repentance for many Christians that they might show solidarity with Jesus the Refugee by seeing modern refugees as Jesus and acting accordingly." (p. 195). If that sounds a bit like Matthew 25, you would not be wrong. For those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus, this book will serve to define what that should mean in practice. May we find ways of being in solidarity with Jesus who comes to us as a refugee.
March 23, 2025
This book starts out like a scholarly text, with the author laying out their argument and evidence like a roadmap for further exploration. Despite this, I was impressed with how easy to read this book was, with the author pulling in compelling examples and arguing convincingly that Christians should advocate for more humane treatment of refugees because Jesus himself was a refugee as a newborn. It's an argument that really shouldn't need nearly the evidence and argument provided here. However, I am skeptical that this book will be read by those it most needs to persuade.
August 1, 2023
Fascinating, eye opening and challenging.
Butner explores the disaster that is modern treatment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers through asking the question of what would have happened if Jesus, Mary and Joseph had fled Herod (Matthew 2:13-14) in the modern world rather than the 1st century. He concludes that the Holy family would not have found welcome, they may have been turned away at a border, consigned to squalid conditions in an internment camp and/or physically abused; they likely would have been denied work and would have had little chance of obtaining a an Asylum hearing and if they did their case would likely have been dismissed for lack of evidence.
Using this as the window, Butner outlines the facts of modern western treatment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, both the relevant law and the practical outworking of it. He also examines the overwhelming scale of the problem. And looks at common false narratives that paint refugees as a threat (including exaggerating the costs of welcoming refugees, and overstating the likelihood of them being potential criminals) alongside this the cost of measures designed to turn away refugees is rarely (publicly) considered - Butner highlights that this is enourmous.
It is striking to note that most western nations offer limited or no pathways for someone to claim Asylum without entering the country, however the moment they do enter they can be arrested as an illegal immigrant.
Butner concludes by appealing to his reader to show solidarity with refugees, by offering hospitality when applicable but in the more general case through supporting relevant charities and considering how they can engage in political lobbying.
Strengths
- Engaging writing - this is almost a page turner
- Factual analysis - Butner cites relevant laws, facts and detailed academic studies
- Biblical reasoning - Butner makes a strong case from scripture for the treatment of refugees he advocates
- Not politically Partisan - Butner criticises a number of US administrations including those of Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump
Weaknesses
- Most of the practical application is specific to US politics; obviously Butner is writing for a primarily US audience, though clearly further work could be done here
- At one point Butner said anyone voting for a politician supporting some of the egregious refugee policies he'd discussed was culpable; however it seems to me that there's often a choice between 2 bad options (particularly when looking at multiple policy issues) and by that measure everyone who votes at all will be guilty
- I found the discussion of the economic impact of immigration rather weak, it was obviously limited in scope by the scale of the work but I thought it mostly left an open question
Conclusion
This is a compelling book that has significantly impacted my thinking. It has lead me to see modern treatment of refugees as a far more serious problem than I had realised AND it has highlighted to me that the current western default approach is wrong.
Butner explores the disaster that is modern treatment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers through asking the question of what would have happened if Jesus, Mary and Joseph had fled Herod (Matthew 2:13-14) in the modern world rather than the 1st century. He concludes that the Holy family would not have found welcome, they may have been turned away at a border, consigned to squalid conditions in an internment camp and/or physically abused; they likely would have been denied work and would have had little chance of obtaining a an Asylum hearing and if they did their case would likely have been dismissed for lack of evidence.
Using this as the window, Butner outlines the facts of modern western treatment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, both the relevant law and the practical outworking of it. He also examines the overwhelming scale of the problem. And looks at common false narratives that paint refugees as a threat (including exaggerating the costs of welcoming refugees, and overstating the likelihood of them being potential criminals) alongside this the cost of measures designed to turn away refugees is rarely (publicly) considered - Butner highlights that this is enourmous.
It is striking to note that most western nations offer limited or no pathways for someone to claim Asylum without entering the country, however the moment they do enter they can be arrested as an illegal immigrant.
Butner concludes by appealing to his reader to show solidarity with refugees, by offering hospitality when applicable but in the more general case through supporting relevant charities and considering how they can engage in political lobbying.
Strengths
- Engaging writing - this is almost a page turner
- Factual analysis - Butner cites relevant laws, facts and detailed academic studies
- Biblical reasoning - Butner makes a strong case from scripture for the treatment of refugees he advocates
- Not politically Partisan - Butner criticises a number of US administrations including those of Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump
Weaknesses
- Most of the practical application is specific to US politics; obviously Butner is writing for a primarily US audience, though clearly further work could be done here
- At one point Butner said anyone voting for a politician supporting some of the egregious refugee policies he'd discussed was culpable; however it seems to me that there's often a choice between 2 bad options (particularly when looking at multiple policy issues) and by that measure everyone who votes at all will be guilty
- I found the discussion of the economic impact of immigration rather weak, it was obviously limited in scope by the scale of the work but I thought it mostly left an open question
Conclusion
This is a compelling book that has significantly impacted my thinking. It has lead me to see modern treatment of refugees as a far more serious problem than I had realised AND it has highlighted to me that the current western default approach is wrong.
July 5, 2024
Asks: Why would one try to enter another country illegally?
. . . and answers by applying present-day immigration laws regarding refugees and asylees—as grounded in the 1951 Refugee Convention, UNHCR's* key legal document—to the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph's flight to Egypt.
Butner's academic-leaning study offers a detailed look at determining whether or not Mary and Joseph would qualify as refugees—through the lens of Christian ethics and with much discussion about changing geographical boundaries, patterns of migration, internally-displaced persons, and government-sponsored labor recruitment.
In considering each of these points, Butner toggles between an historical overview of the Roman Empire and a more-recent historical look at the passage and implementation of the United States's 1980 Refugee Act. He highlights, especially, U.S. policies regarding Haitian refugees dating back to the 1970s. Overall, his discussion is sobering—noting that "eighty-two million displaced persons are currently in the world . . . only 2 percent of refugees find homes each year through resettlement or repatriation" . . . "collectively, the world’s nation-states resettle only 1 percent of the refugee population each year. Only 29 countries of 149 refugee convention signatories provided refugee resettlement in 2019." But he ends a bit more positively by outlining a call to action: "The Bible calls us to a general solidarity with strangers."
Read for a discussion at church.
*Office of the High Commissioner for Refugee
. . . and answers by applying present-day immigration laws regarding refugees and asylees—as grounded in the 1951 Refugee Convention, UNHCR's* key legal document—to the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph's flight to Egypt.
Butner's academic-leaning study offers a detailed look at determining whether or not Mary and Joseph would qualify as refugees—through the lens of Christian ethics and with much discussion about changing geographical boundaries, patterns of migration, internally-displaced persons, and government-sponsored labor recruitment.
"To determine whether Mary and Joseph are refugees in the imagined scenario of this book, we must consider four points: (1) whether they had a well-founded fear of persecution; (2) whether this fear met the reasons designated in article 1 of the 1951 Refugee Convention; (3) whether they were outside of the country of their nationality; and (4) whether they were unable or unwilling to find protection in their home country for fear of this persecution."
In considering each of these points, Butner toggles between an historical overview of the Roman Empire and a more-recent historical look at the passage and implementation of the United States's 1980 Refugee Act. He highlights, especially, U.S. policies regarding Haitian refugees dating back to the 1970s. Overall, his discussion is sobering—noting that "eighty-two million displaced persons are currently in the world . . . only 2 percent of refugees find homes each year through resettlement or repatriation" . . . "collectively, the world’s nation-states resettle only 1 percent of the refugee population each year. Only 29 countries of 149 refugee convention signatories provided refugee resettlement in 2019." But he ends a bit more positively by outlining a call to action: "The Bible calls us to a general solidarity with strangers."
Read for a discussion at church.
*Office of the High Commissioner for Refugee
January 14, 2024
This is a very detailed book about immigration issues and the response needed to correct problems. It begins as a thought experiment about what Jesus Mary and Joseph would face if they were fleeing Herod's persecution in today's world.
June 5, 2024
I learned a lot from this book, but I'm not convinced the Jesus the Refugee thought experiment was necessary or helpful.
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