Posted on 08/05/2025 7:52:44 AM PDT by Angelino97
In looking at the debate over immigration, it is almost automatically assumed that the Church’s position is one of unconditional charity toward those who enter the nation, legally or illegally.
However, is this the case? What does the Bible say about immigration? What do Church doctors and theologians say? Above all, what does the greatest of doctors, Saint Thomas Aquinas, say about immigration? Does his opinion offer some insights to the burning issues now shaking the nation and blurring the national borders?
Immigration is a modern problem and so some might think that the medieval Saint Thomas would have no opinion about the problem. And yet, he does. One has only to look in his masterpiece, the Summa Theologica, in the First part of the Second Part, question 105, article 3 (I-II, Q. 105, Art. 3). There one finds his analysis based on biblical insights that can add to the national debate. They are entirely applicable to the present.
Saint Thomas: “Man’s relations with foreigners are twofold: peaceful, and hostile: and in directing both kinds of relation the Law contained suitable precepts.”
Commentary: In making this affirmation, Saint Thomas affirms that not all immigrants are equal. Every nation has the right to decide which immigrants are beneficial, that is, “peaceful,” to the common good. As a matter of self-defense, the State can reject those criminal elements, traitors, enemies and others who it deems harmful or “hostile” to its citizens.
The second thing he affirms is that the manner of dealing with immigration is determined by law in the cases of both beneficial and “hostile” immigration. The State has the right and duty to apply its law.
Saint Thomas: “For the Jews were offered three opportunities of peaceful relations with foreigners. First, when foreigners passed through their land as travelers. Secondly, when they came to dwell in their land as newcomers. And in both these respects the Law made kind provision in its precepts: for it is written (Exodus 22:21): ‘Thou shalt not molest a stranger [advenam]’; and again (Exodus 22:9): ‘Thou shalt not molest a stranger [peregrino].’”
Commentary: Here Saint Thomas acknowledges the fact that others will want to come to visit or even stay in the land for some time. Such foreigners deserved to be treated with charity, respect and courtesy, which is due to any human of good will. In these cases, the law can and should protect foreigners from being badly treated or molested.
Saint Thomas: “Thirdly, when any foreigners wished to be admitted entirely to their fellowship and mode of worship. With regard to these a certain order was observed. For they were not at once admitted to citizenship: just as it was law with some nations that no one was deemed a citizen except after two or three generations, as the Philosopher says (Polit. iii, 1).”
Commentary: Saint Thomas recognizes that there will be those who will want to stay and become citizens of the lands they visit. However, he sets as the first condition for acceptance a desire to integrate fully into what would today be considered the culture and life of the nation.
A second condition is that the granting of citizenship would not be immediate. The integration process takes time. People need to adapt themselves to the nation. He quotes the philosopher Aristotle as saying this process was once deemed to take two or three generations. Saint Thomas himself does not give a time frame for this integration, but he does admit that it can take a long time.
Saint Thomas: “The reason for this was that if foreigners were allowed to meddle with the affairs of a nation as soon as they settled down in its midst, many dangers might occur, since the foreigners not yet having the common good firmly at heart might attempt something hurtful to the people.”
Commentary: The common sense of Saint Thomas is certainly not politically correct but it is logical. The theologian notes that living in a nation is a complex thing. It takes time to know the issues affecting the nation. Those familiar with the long history of their nation are in the best position to make the long-term decisions about its future. It is harmful and unjust to put the future of a place in the hands of those recently arrived, who, although through no fault of their own, have little idea of what is happening or has happened in the nation. Such a policy could lead to the destruction of the nation.
As an illustration of this point, Saint Thomas later notes that the Jewish people did not treat all nations equally since those nations closer to them were more quickly integrated into the population than those who were not as close. Some hostile peoples were not to be admitted at all into full fellowship due to their enmity toward the Jewish people.
Saint Thomas: “Nevertheless it was possible by dispensation for a man to be admitted to citizenship on account of some act of virtue: thus it is related (Judith 14:6) that Achior, the captain of the children of Ammon, ‘was joined to the people of Israel, with all the succession of his kindred.’”
Commentary: That is to say, the rules were not rigid. There were exceptions that were granted based on the circumstances. However, such exceptions were not arbitrary but always had in mind the common good. The example of Achior describes the citizenship bestowed upon the captain and his children for the good services rendered to the nation.
These are some of the thoughts of Saint Thomas Aquinas on the matter of immigration based on biblical principles. It is clear that immigration must have two things in mind: the first is the nation’s unity; and the second is the common good.
Immigration should have as its goal integration, not disintegration or segregation. The immigrant should not only desire to assume the benefits but the responsibilities of joining into the full fellowship of the nation. By becoming a citizen, a person becomes part of a broad family over the long term and not a shareholder in a joint stock company seeking only short-term self-interest.
Secondly, Saint Thomas teaches that immigration must have in mind the common good; it cannot destroy or overwhelm a nation.
This explains why so many Americans experience uneasiness caused by massive and disproportional immigration. Such policy artificially introduces a situation that destroys common points of unity and overwhelms the ability of a society to absorb new elements organically into a unified culture. The common good is no longer considered.
A proportional immigration has always been a healthy development in a society since it injects new life and qualities into a social body. But when it loses that proportion and undermines the purpose of the State, it threatens the well-being of the nation.
When this happens, the nation would do well to follow the advice of Saint Thomas Aquinas and biblical principles. The nation must practice justice and charity towards all, including foreigners, but it must above all safeguard the common good and its unity, without which no country can long endure.
Contrary to popular belief, traditional Catholic theology does not support "open borders" immigration.
lol
Left out Jesus completely?
He who enters not by the gate is a thief.
John 10:1
Why quote saints when you canget it directly from the source?
Nonesense
“What does the Bible say about immigration?”
Adam & Eve lived in the Garden of Eden. They immigrated to another place.
Descendants of Ham, Shem & Japheth immigrated to other places.
Noah & descendants immigrated to various places.
The children of Israel immigrated to Egypt.
After hundreds of years as Egyptians, the children of Israel immigrated across the border into Sinai & then North & West.
Need I continue? The Bible, like human history, is full of individuals and groups of people moving from place to place.
Catherine the Great invited my Amish/Menonite ancestors to move from Holland to Crimea. They were immigrants long before the immigrated to England and then to the US and then to Canada.
bump
The Israelites “immigrated” to Canaan, then killed everyone they saw.
What makes you think you understand "the source"?
Evangelicals might not put much stock in the great Church doctors and theologians. But most Christians throughout history -- Catholics, Orthodox, and even many mainline Protestants -- appreciate the Biblical insights of the great minds who've spent their lives in religious study.
Didn’t know St. Thomas was still alive.
He is alive in Christ.
There were no foreign nations, foreign or otherwise, at this time.
Descendants of Ham, Shem & Japheth immigrated to other places.
Similarly, there were no other peoples or nations when Ham, Shem & Japheth immigrated.
Noah & descendants immigrated to various places.
Noah & descendants would have been the genesis of tribes and nations following the flood. There was an entire unpopulated world for Noah descendants to occupy. There was no immigration as we understand it today.
Scriptures that apply to illegal immigration.
"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." - Romans 13:1
And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” -Mark 12:17
This is the real operative Scripture text. The civil law should be obeyed by everyone as long as it doesn't command a person to sin.
[guilty look] Yes, I sometimes speed on the interstate. I'm just trying to stay with traffic for safety's sake, officer. Truly I am.
With my Amish background, libertarian tilt & Christian belier, it is hard for me to conceive of my life, my redisdence, belonging to Ceasar. My taxes yes... but me..No!
*emigrated.
What does the Bible say about obeying the laws of the land?
Romans 13:1-5 ESV
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
Titus 3:1 ESV
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
Romans 2:13 ESV
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Romans 3:31 ESV
Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come."
- Jesus
Adam and Eve didn't emigrate from Eden. They were deported for breaking God's commandment. (Genesis 3)
Noah & descendants immigrated to various places.
No, they didn't. They all gathered into one place, (Shinar) again, breaking God's commandment. When they sought to make themselves equal to God, He confounded them by making them all speak in different languages so they were forced to spread out. (Genesis 11)
After hundreds of years as Egyptians, the children of Israel immigrated across the border into Sinai & then North & West.
The Egyptians never considered the Hebrews to be Egyptian, nor did the Hebrews ever consider themselves to be Egyptian.
How ‘the Left,’ Islam, and Gulf Money Turn Christians Into Doormats
Exactly. Adam was supposed to wear the pants, but didn’t.
It’s always a woman. They were evicted.
Old Dan Tucker was a fine old man
He washed his face in a frying pan
He combed his hair with a wagon wheel
And died of a toothache in his heel
Get out the way old Dan Tucker
You’re too late to git your supper
Supper’s gone and dinner cookin’
Old Dan Tucker’s just a-standin’ there lookin’.
That verse doesn't mean that any lay person can pick up a Bible and interpret it for themselves, relying solely on the Spirit. The Spirit guides you to the Church.
The Ethiopian eunich did not rely on the Spirit to interpret Isaiah for him. Instead, the Spirit sent Philip (the Church) to teach the eunich.
The only problem is illegal migration. If you don’t defend your borders, vigorously, you are not a nation. That is what the WEF want — no nations.
But, if you exclude all migrants you will become insulated and fall behind. You need to vet all who come in and demand assimilation.
Potential migrants? Can’t go somewhere? Then, knuckle down and fix your country.
—> According to the Catholic Church
While Christ is speaking primarily to the Apostles in this passage, it doesn’t stand alone as testimony of The Spirit guiding *all* believers.
For example, the Apostle John wrote this inspired promise..,
“1 John 2:27
“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”
In addition through the Spirit, God gifts teachers to His churches…
Ephesians 4:11-12
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; “
The believer has been well provided for!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.