A Biblical Discussion about Immigration with Chuck Baldwin

Hillary Clinton Is On The Wrong Side of History	Even a Broken Clock is Correct Twice a Day
By Chuck Baldwin	By Kevin Craig
The Covenant News ~ March 31, 2006	Vine & Fig Tree ~ April 11, 2006
In an attempt to justify massive illegal immigration to this country, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) completely mischaracterized the Biblical story of The Good Samaritan. Obviously, there is nothing unique about politicians misusing the Scriptures. What the average politician knows about the Word of God could fit into a thimble. And that goes for Republicans as well as Democrats!	I favor open borders, freedom of travel, private property, an elimination of immigration restrictions, and amnesty for "illegal" immigrants. I entered a discussion of this topic in a Forum at The American View. "Joe Liberty" wrote: In a recent editorial Chuck Baldwin, Michael Peroutka's running mate in 2004, lays out the biblical case against open borders: http://covenantnews.com/baldwin060331.htm That article is in the left column, my response is on the right.
Specifically, Mrs. Clinton voiced her opposition to a House measure subjecting illegal aliens and those who hire them to criminal penalties saying it "is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scriptures, because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably Jesus Himself."	Hillary is correct. A "Good Samaritan" obeying Jesus' command in Matthew 25:35ff would be subject to criminal penalties, potentially becoming a felon. Any law which makes a command of Jesus a crime is a bad law.
However, there is absolutely nothing about Jesus' parable that remotely relates to the subject of illegal immigration. Absolutely nothing! The story of The Good Samaritan is simply a lesson in Christian compassion. The Good Samaritan was willing to stop and help a man who had been beaten and left for dead. Jesus compared the actions of the Good Samaritan with those of a priest and a Levite who walked by the dying man and refused to help. What in the world does that have to do with illegal immigration? Nothing!	I have yet to see anyone refute the claims in a March 1 statement issued on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which "strongly opposes H.R. 4437." Washington, D.C., archbishop Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick warned that the bill "would extend to U.S. citizens ... including those, such as our own parishioners, who offer, in an act of mercy, basic sustenance to an undocumented migrant." In a March 22 New York Times op-ed, Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, wrote: "As written, the proposed law is so broad that it would criminalize even minor acts of mercy like offering a meal or administering first aid."
However, if one wants to examine the Scriptures to find teachings relevant to the subject of illegal immigration, he can certainly do so. Let's start with Nahum chapter three.	Nahum 3
The prophet Nahum warned Israel that their stubbornness and disobedience to God was evidenced by the fact that "the gates (borders, ports, entry ways) of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars." (Nahum 3:13) In this passage, the prophet made it clear that open gates or borders, which allowed enemies easy access to a nation, constitute an imminent threat to any nation. How right he was!	This is terrible exegesis. Nahum is prophesying judgment against Nineveh, and it is in fact the LORD who opens the gates of Nineveh against her enemies. See verse 5: 5 “ Behold, I am against you,” says the LORD of hosts; “ I will lift your skirts over your face, I will show the nations your nakedness, And the kingdoms your shame.
Furthermore, Moses told the children of Israel in very clear and concise language, "Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor's landmark." (Deut. 19:14) "Landmark" refers to territory, boundary, or border. Moses further declared, "Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor's landmark." (Deut. 27:17)	If I purchase property, I purchase a landmark. If I cannot hire workers on my property, or invite friends over for a Bar-B-Q on my property, or obey the commands of Christ with respect to those on my property because of a government regulation, then that government regulation has effectively removed my landmark. "Private property" means nothing in a fascist dictatorship.
National borders or boundaries are extremely important to the security and survival of any nation! In fact, the Bible promotes nationhood and condemns internationalism!	I believe the Bible promotes an *international* Christian Theocracy: http://devoted.to/anarchotheocracy
To the Old Testament nation of Israel , Moses said, "When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people." (Deut. 32:8) Notice that God "separated the sons of Adam." God "set the bounds of the people."	I believe the dividing of nations was temporary. Satan had dominion over the nations until the coming of Christ, who now has all authority over the earth. For this reason I believe the division of the American colonies from Christian Britain was a violation of the Great Commission and Romans 13 http://start.at/July4th1776
That God has separated nations and expects them to function independently of other nations is also seen in the New Testament. Read the inspired author, Dr. Luke: "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds (boundaries, borders) of their habitation." (Acts 17:26)	Christ's church is a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), a nation of nations under the King of Kings. All nations are to come under the authority of the King of Kings. Gary North argues that if Mexico and the U.S. are both covenanted Christian nations, then there should be open borders (Healer of the Nations, pp. 49-50). North goes on to say: Christ's victory at Calvary in principle reclaimed the ownership of the whole earth from Satan, and it legally transferred this certificate of ownership to God's people.8 The certificate of ownership is the New Testament itself. The New Testament is a covenant: a legal document. It assigns the inheritance to God's adopted sons (John 1:12). The boundaries of this nation of nations in principle are the whole earth. Though sin will restrict a perfect working out in history of these boundaries, the goal of Christians all over the world should be to work toward this goal: the creation of a formally covenanted confederation of Christian nations under God. God's kingdom must triumph in history over Satan's kingdom. Christ's nation of nations must triumph over Satan's empire of empires. (p. 51) Christians should invest their political capital in covenantal civil citizenship instead of closing borders.
National boundaries are divinely ordained. Nationhood is divinely ordained. Independent governance is divinely ordained. On the other hand, internationalism, globalism, multiculturalism, etc., is not of God.
Certainly, God instructed His people to be compassionate to "strangers." (See Deut. 10:19; Exod. 22:21.) And no nation has been more compassionate, more understanding, and more tolerant of "strangers" (i.e. non-citizens) than the United States of America !	So is Baldwin advocating changing that policy? Past obedience does not justify future disobedience. This reeks of medieval indulgences.
For the duration of our nation's existence, America has allowed millions of immigrants to become U.S. citizens. However, for the very sake of our country's survival, immigration must be lawful and respectful. The immigrant is expected to obtain citizenship in accordance with our country's laws. Also, the total number of new immigrants must be carefully monitored and regulated in order to maintain the health and stability of our culture and economy. Furthermore, the aspiring immigrant-citizen must be expected to assimilate into the foundational fabric and spirit of America .	Anti-immigration laws are unlawful and disrespectful of the Supreme Lawgiver. The "health and stability of our culture and economy" is threatened by a repudiation of Biblical hospitality. We cannot expect assimilation without voluntary associations promoting Christian culture.
Listen to the words of President Theodore Roosevelt: "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." (Jan. 3, 1919)	Discrimination based on creed is a Biblical command. This is nationalist fascism. Why should we not speak Greek or Hebrew?
However, those who advocate amnesty, guest worker status (which is just another name for amnesty), or other types of legalization for illegal aliens are promoting something much different from both the Scriptural and historical models. If the people of the United States allow G. W. Bush and Hillary Clinton to get their way on illegal immigration, America 's demise will be faster than anyone can possibly imagine!	I am promoting a Scriptural model, but I agree that the Clinton-Bush regime is a threat to America. I explained why on my immigration page.
Already, more than 20 million illegal aliens live in the United States . In fact, according to The Center for Immigration Studies, three-fourths of all U.S. population growth stems from (mostly) illegal immigration.	And what are Christians doing to evangelize these people? I have taught ESL classes in my home to dozens of illegals.
There is more. According to the Bureau of Justice, 29% of all federal inmates are illegal aliens. And according to statistics provided by the House of Representatives, illegal aliens cost state and local governments more than $13 billion per year.	I have used the 2nd Amendment analogy. If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. If immigration is outlawed, all immigrants will be outlaws. Our immigration policy right now is to only allow law-breakers to immigrate into the U.S.
Let's face reality: illegal aliens are criminals! They broke our laws to come here. They break our laws to stay here. Furthermore, the employers that hire illegal aliens are criminals! Illegal aliens do not save money for Americans; they cost money, and a lot of it!	Illegal aliens are not statistically more criminal than public school graduates. Anyone who tells me I cannot hire Señor Garcia in my business is a criminal.
America is a nation of law. The supreme law of the land is the U.S. Constitution. Nowhere does the Constitution allow for illegal aliens. There is nothing in our laws, our history, or our traditions that allows for illegal immigration!	The "Rule of Law" is a joke. The Constitution is whatever the Soopreme Court says it is. The Constitution is dead meat.
Illegal aliens not only trample our nation's laws, weaken our economy, burden our local and state governments, they also spit in the face of those many thousands of honest and honorable people from all over the world who attempt to lawfully immigrate to our country!	Immigration strengthens our economy. If it doesn't, it is the fault of socialist legislation which distorts the effect of immigrants. Our political efforts should be directed against bad laws, not good people.
I have many personal friends who have either recently become U.S. citizens or who are yet in the process of becoming U.S. citizens. Each of them is a honest, hard working person who desires to become an AMERICAN. They are not trying to create another Philippines , Japan , South Korea , Zimbabwe , England , or Honduras here in America . They simply want to be an AMERICAN, just like Teddy Roosevelt explained.	The desire to "create another" Mexico is just as un-Christian as trying to preserve "America." Putting national borders ahead of global Christianization is idolatry.
Yet, now we are being asked to repudiate our laws, compromise the decency and character of our people, and jeopardize our very security just to allow millions of lawless people to invade our country! I say, NO WAY!	I repudiate all unBiblical laws. I encourage our people to expand their decency and character by obeying God's commands toward immigrants.
Opposing illegal immigration is not un-Christian, and it is not un- American. Neither does opposing illegal immigration make one a racist or a fascist!	If Garcia wants to escape a corrupt non-Christian government and work in my business, opposing the two of us is un-Christian, and the Statue of Liberty says its un-American.
Hillary Clinton is on the wrong side of Scripture and on the wrong side of American history. So is G. W. Bush and a majority of U.S. Senators!	Hillary is on the right side of history. Adolph Hitler was also right on a couple of occasions. I can't think off hand of any examples of Bush being quite so lucky.
America must secure it's borders! We must make a concerted effort to deport all illegal aliens found to be here. We must severely punish any American company or employer who knowingly hires illegal aliens. Furthermore, we must send a clear and convincing message to Mexican President Vicente Fox that if he does not start effectively policing his northern border, we will consider him a terrorist and treat him accordingly!	Deporting an illegal alien back to a corrupt non-Christian government instead of hiring him to work in your business so he can send money to his family and evangelizing him (and his family through him) is reprehensible. Bomb Mexico?? "Operation Mexican Freedom?"
And there is one more thing: we must evict every senator or representative from Washington , D.C. , who refuses to protect our nation's borders and who aids and abets illegal immigration in any shape, form, or fashion! And we must do it now!	I don't think the major arguments of my immigration page have been answered in Baldwin's column.
Chuck Baldwin chuck@chuckbaldwinlive.com Chuck Baldwin Live http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com	Kevin Craig KevinCraig@KevinCraig.com *Vine & Fig Tree* http://VFT.iscool.net
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