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Bible and Borders: Hearing God's Word on Immigration
With so many people around the globe migrating, how should Christians and the church respond? Leading Latino-American biblical scholar M. Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas) helps readers understand what the Bible says about immigration, offering accessible, nuanced, and sympathetic guidance for the church.
After two successful editions of Christians at the Border, and having talked and written about immigration over the past decade, Carroll has sharpened his focus and refined his argument to make sure we hear clearly what the Bible says about one of the most pressing issues of our day. He has reworked the biblical material, adding insights and broadening the frame of reference beyond the US. As Carroll explores the surprising amount of material in the Old and New Testaments that deals with migration, he shows how this topic is fundamental to the message of the Bible and how it affects our understanding of God and the mission of the church.
After two successful editions of Christians at the Border, and having talked and written about immigration over the past decade, Carroll has sharpened his focus and refined his argument to make sure we hear clearly what the Bible says about one of the most pressing issues of our day. He has reworked the biblical material, adding insights and broadening the frame of reference beyond the US. As Carroll explores the surprising amount of material in the Old and New Testaments that deals with migration, he shows how this topic is fundamental to the message of the Bible and how it affects our understanding of God and the mission of the church.
160 pages, Paperback
Published May 19, 2020
30 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
M. Daniel Carroll Rodas
16 books9 followersDaniel Carroll Rodas (PhD, University of Sheffield) is distinguished professor of Old Testament at Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado, where he founded IDEAL, a Spanish language training program. He is also an adjunct professor at El Seminario Teológico Centroamericano in Guatemala City, Guatemala. He is the author or editor of several books, including Amos--The Prophet and His Oracles: Research on the Book of Amos and Theory and Practice in Old Testament Ethics, and is a contributing editor to Prism.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 25, 2022
An accessible introduction to the rich variety of stories and laws in the Old and New Testaments about migrants, refugees, and foreigners. This would make a great study for an adult small group or supplementary reading for an undergraduate Bible survey course.
I'm grateful for Dr. Carroll's work on this important topic!
I'm grateful for Dr. Carroll's work on this important topic!
June 28, 2020
A welcome and biblical work for Christians on immigration as a blessing
In The Bible and Borders: Hearing God’s Word on immigration, M. Daniel Carroll-Rodas sets out to “…demonstrate the breadth of relevant material in the Bible as a reminder that God has much to teach all of us on these issues.” Daniel Carroll divide this work into 3 sections. In chapter one we see stories of migration from the Hebrew Testament starting with the creation story where we learn that all human beings are created as image bearers of God. And we see that the first humans are tasked with filling the earth. Chapter two continues with more stories about about travelers, exiles, sojourners and migrants from the Hebrew section of the Bible. This chapter spells out some details about how Hebrew Law protects and sets up expectations for migrant individuals and groups whether the are sojourning inside of Judea or they are Hebrews living outside of their home country. Chapter 3 provides narratives about how Jesus and the apostles treat Samaritans and other outsiders and how the church became a worldwide movement outside of Jerusalem. The Bible and Borders shows that there is a consistent ethic of welcome toward the outsider across both Testaments.
Christians who want to live out the teachings of the Bible will find this work helpful as we all struggle to find better solutions to immigration in the United States from all over the world that fills jobs, fuels the economy and drives us toward faith. The title of the book uses the plural “Borders” and can be applied worldwide where there are more than 71 million forcefully displaced people. Migration of people is not new and it is not limited to only certain areas of the world
This book is a good follow up to Carroll’s previous Christians at the Border (2008 and rev. 2013). The emphasis on this book focuses on Biblical teaching and less on current events and legal issues. Carroll’s Biblical scholarship leads the way in this book to help Christians better understand Biblical teaching for a consistent ethic of welcome. I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the Bible’s teaching about love of neighbor. There are many opportunities for the church to welcome and to be blessed by arriving immigrants.
In The Bible and Borders: Hearing God’s Word on immigration, M. Daniel Carroll-Rodas sets out to “…demonstrate the breadth of relevant material in the Bible as a reminder that God has much to teach all of us on these issues.” Daniel Carroll divide this work into 3 sections. In chapter one we see stories of migration from the Hebrew Testament starting with the creation story where we learn that all human beings are created as image bearers of God. And we see that the first humans are tasked with filling the earth. Chapter two continues with more stories about about travelers, exiles, sojourners and migrants from the Hebrew section of the Bible. This chapter spells out some details about how Hebrew Law protects and sets up expectations for migrant individuals and groups whether the are sojourning inside of Judea or they are Hebrews living outside of their home country. Chapter 3 provides narratives about how Jesus and the apostles treat Samaritans and other outsiders and how the church became a worldwide movement outside of Jerusalem. The Bible and Borders shows that there is a consistent ethic of welcome toward the outsider across both Testaments.
Christians who want to live out the teachings of the Bible will find this work helpful as we all struggle to find better solutions to immigration in the United States from all over the world that fills jobs, fuels the economy and drives us toward faith. The title of the book uses the plural “Borders” and can be applied worldwide where there are more than 71 million forcefully displaced people. Migration of people is not new and it is not limited to only certain areas of the world
This book is a good follow up to Carroll’s previous Christians at the Border (2008 and rev. 2013). The emphasis on this book focuses on Biblical teaching and less on current events and legal issues. Carroll’s Biblical scholarship leads the way in this book to help Christians better understand Biblical teaching for a consistent ethic of welcome. I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the Bible’s teaching about love of neighbor. There are many opportunities for the church to welcome and to be blessed by arriving immigrants.
December 13, 2023
This is a good resource but I’m rounding up because of my appreciation for the book. I didn’t particularly enjoy it in the same way I expected, but I’m thankful to have listened to it. I just felt more like I was in a college lecture, and I didn’t realize it would be so academic. There were so many Bible references (which are great) but it would take months to get to them all if I followed those rabbit holes. Good stuff, but I think this is all I’m going to dig into for Immigration for a while. I’m going to go on continuing to not pretend I’m an expert in any way on the topic, but I’m much more confident in accepting what I do believe and where I stand.
January 28, 2025
This is an outstanding book for today’s immigration issues.
It provides an abundance of Biblical support on how real Christians should focus on loving the immigrants because they are made in the image of God and have great needs.
Do Christians really want to take husbands from their wives and parents from their children? This book provided better Biblically based alternatives.
It provides an abundance of Biblical support on how real Christians should focus on loving the immigrants because they are made in the image of God and have great needs.
Do Christians really want to take husbands from their wives and parents from their children? This book provided better Biblically based alternatives.
April 12, 2020
If you have watched the news in the past about people having to migrate to other countries then you will want to read this book. While reading this book o felt like I could see these people and my heart breaks for them. In the USA we are lucky that we don’t have to leave our nation but if you place yourself with the people that has been effected with war, famine and just want a better life you see them in a different light.
I highly recommend this book.
I received this copy from Netgalley and Baker Academic & Brazos Press for my honest review.
I highly recommend this book.
I received this copy from Netgalley and Baker Academic & Brazos Press for my honest review.
December 16, 2023
THE BIBLE AND BORDERS ~ Hearing God’s Word on Immigration, by M. Daniel Carroll R.
The stated goal of this book “is to offer a solid foundation for a truly self-confessing Christian perspective on immigration.” It succeeds. I only wish it had gone farther and deeper, but it’s a great read nonetheless.
Here are a few thoughts and takeaways.
T1 – His introductory section defining the terms of immigration is very helpful. So often term like refugee, asylee, immigrant, etc, are used interchangeably with little thought.
T2 – He starts and bases his biblical perspective in Genesis 1 and the Image of God. For the Christian, Genesis 1 “becomes a divine claim on the attitudes and actions toward those who come to this country – irrespective of whether or not the are here with or without the documents the government might mandate.”
T3 – He spends some time reviewing Old Testament stories and the many instances of migration while pointing out the different causes. Many of these causes and contemporary equivalents.
T4 – It is the contention of [chapter two] that Old Testament law offers moral principles for the treatment of foreigners. The law gives an insight into the heart of God and what pleases him.
T5 - Turning to the Gospels he applies selected teachings of Jesus to argue that “we have the moral imperative to take care of the immigrant or refugee.
The stated goal of this book “is to offer a solid foundation for a truly self-confessing Christian perspective on immigration.” It succeeds. I only wish it had gone farther and deeper, but it’s a great read nonetheless.
Here are a few thoughts and takeaways.
T1 – His introductory section defining the terms of immigration is very helpful. So often term like refugee, asylee, immigrant, etc, are used interchangeably with little thought.
T2 – He starts and bases his biblical perspective in Genesis 1 and the Image of God. For the Christian, Genesis 1 “becomes a divine claim on the attitudes and actions toward those who come to this country – irrespective of whether or not the are here with or without the documents the government might mandate.”
T3 – He spends some time reviewing Old Testament stories and the many instances of migration while pointing out the different causes. Many of these causes and contemporary equivalents.
T4 – It is the contention of [chapter two] that Old Testament law offers moral principles for the treatment of foreigners. The law gives an insight into the heart of God and what pleases him.
T5 - Turning to the Gospels he applies selected teachings of Jesus to argue that “we have the moral imperative to take care of the immigrant or refugee.
January 8, 2021
One of the big political questions of our day concerns immigration. Christians are not of one mind on this matter. While some believe that all immigrants and refugees should be welcomed others want to close the borders to all immigrants. So, what does the Bible have to say?
Daniel Carroll teaches Old Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School as well as serving as an adjunct at El Seminario Teologico Centroamericano in Guatemala. He offers a brief but effective exposition of biblical texts that speak to the question of immigration. he writes as one whose mother is Guatemalan, so he understands the concerns of migrants. While he doesn't believe that scripture necessarily gives carte blanche to open borders, the texts that he explores affirm that the Scriptures speak of migration and offer guidance as to how they should be treated.
i will say that while I found the expositions compelling, he takes some of the passages and stories a bit more historically than would I -- thus, the stories in Daniel. But that doesn't take away from the message.
Daniel Carroll teaches Old Testament at Wheaton College Graduate School as well as serving as an adjunct at El Seminario Teologico Centroamericano in Guatemala. He offers a brief but effective exposition of biblical texts that speak to the question of immigration. he writes as one whose mother is Guatemalan, so he understands the concerns of migrants. While he doesn't believe that scripture necessarily gives carte blanche to open borders, the texts that he explores affirm that the Scriptures speak of migration and offer guidance as to how they should be treated.
i will say that while I found the expositions compelling, he takes some of the passages and stories a bit more historically than would I -- thus, the stories in Daniel. But that doesn't take away from the message.
May 28, 2024
Generally a defense of relaxing immigration laws in the US from a biblical perspective. Argues that Scripture thinks very highly of migrants and commands Christians to love and care for them.
Two problems:
1. Carroll reads much of the OT as if immigration were the main point. Instead of seeing how Abraham’s wandering outside the promised land demonstrates his unfaithfulness to the covenant and need for a savior, he sees this as only about immigration. Similar to other biblical passages.
2. He seems to treat those who disagree with him as if they were unbelievers. The only reason to oppose immigration, it seems, is because someone rejects God’s Word. He often interacts with the worst of his opponents. While I agree with his conclusions, I find this method distasteful.
Two problems:
1. Carroll reads much of the OT as if immigration were the main point. Instead of seeing how Abraham’s wandering outside the promised land demonstrates his unfaithfulness to the covenant and need for a savior, he sees this as only about immigration. Similar to other biblical passages.
2. He seems to treat those who disagree with him as if they were unbelievers. The only reason to oppose immigration, it seems, is because someone rejects God’s Word. He often interacts with the worst of his opponents. While I agree with his conclusions, I find this method distasteful.
June 2, 2021
Digging into the Old Testament and New Testament to lay out the teaching on migration -- all types -- Rodas makes it so clear that hospitality to the "stranger", welcoming the immigrant, must be a high priority for those following Jesus and desiring to live up to God's moral standard. He does not attempt to stipulate which exact changes should be made in current U.S. laws on immigration, but makes it clear that Christians are called to conform to God's standards as "sojourners" in this world, not following the patterns of any group without evaluating them by the principles in the Word. I highly recommend this book to anyone willing to take the challenge.
September 17, 2025
Not really what I expected but a good book. It shows a lot of immigration through the Scriptures, and I was looking more for Scriptural relevance to immigration in our day. The last few chapters were really good.
March 29, 2024
Interesting way to look at Immigration from the Christian perspective.
December 23, 2024
Throughout history, God's people have been migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. The faithful response is hospitality.
June 29, 2025
Good but boring at times. Wish it went into policy more.
November 14, 2025
In the church circles I am part of, there is an increasingly disturbing tendency to uncritically adopt the GOP’s view on almost everything no matter how out-of-step it is with what we profess to believe from holy Scripture. This book addresses one aspect of that dangerous trend by calling Christians to examine issues related to migrants from a biblical point of view.
The author provides a broad overview rather than focusing on specific laws or policy recommendations. After tracing the numerous stories of migrants, refugees, and foreigners in the Hebrew Bible (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, etc.), he gives an overview of God’s commands and principles about how sojourners should be treated. He continues to trace this thread by exploring the commands and principles of Jesus and his apostles regarding compassion, life as sojourners, the showing of hospitality (the Greek word for hospitality combines the root words for love and foreigner/stranger), and related issues in the New Testament. He ends with a discussion of the responsibility to be subject to human government and how this plays into the matter of undocumented immigrants. Along the way, he makes many general applications for both immigrants and citizens of the receiving country.
Overall, I believe that the author handled Scripture accurately and admirably. Any time I started thinking that he was being a bit broad in his generalizations, he would skillfully qualify his statements to remain faithful to the text. His approach of starting with general principles of godly compassion toward vulnerable human beings who bear God’s image was far more in the spirit of Christlike love than the calloused “they broke the law and that’s all there is to say…I have no compassion for them” approach that is far too prevalent in Evangelical churches. I highly recommend this book!
The author provides a broad overview rather than focusing on specific laws or policy recommendations. After tracing the numerous stories of migrants, refugees, and foreigners in the Hebrew Bible (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, etc.), he gives an overview of God’s commands and principles about how sojourners should be treated. He continues to trace this thread by exploring the commands and principles of Jesus and his apostles regarding compassion, life as sojourners, the showing of hospitality (the Greek word for hospitality combines the root words for love and foreigner/stranger), and related issues in the New Testament. He ends with a discussion of the responsibility to be subject to human government and how this plays into the matter of undocumented immigrants. Along the way, he makes many general applications for both immigrants and citizens of the receiving country.
Overall, I believe that the author handled Scripture accurately and admirably. Any time I started thinking that he was being a bit broad in his generalizations, he would skillfully qualify his statements to remain faithful to the text. His approach of starting with general principles of godly compassion toward vulnerable human beings who bear God’s image was far more in the spirit of Christlike love than the calloused “they broke the law and that’s all there is to say…I have no compassion for them” approach that is far too prevalent in Evangelical churches. I highly recommend this book!
February 7, 2021
If you have ever watched the national debate over immigration and wanted to understand how scripture speaks to the issue, then this is the perfect book. Carroll does an excellent job succinctly capturing the way that the Bible discusses immigration. Much of the book is more of a survey of biblical texts rather than advocation for specific policies, but this is intentional on Carroll’s part. The aim of the book is to reframe the lens through which American Christians view the immigration debate, from a lens of fear and punitive laws to a lens of compassion and care for the foreigner in our midst.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews