In a recent blog post by Dr. Russell Moore titled Immigration and the Gospel, Dr. Moore voiced his concern with the current immigration issue in the United States and what the Christian’s response should be. The issue of illegal immigration is on the minds of many, no doubt, because of the recent resolution (shaped in part by Dr. Moore as he sat on the Resolutions Committee) on immigration that was passed, only after a failed vote and subsequent revision, at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting last week in Phoenix, Arizona.

In his blog post, Dr. Moore incorporates much of the common pathos associated with the topic of illegal immigration. Unfortunately, Dr. Moore’s points are not supported by sound biblical exegesis or basic logic. I responded to the post on his blog the day it was posted and many other readers, since then, have commented and voiced their concern with Dr. Moore’s argumentation.

I am posting my original response not as a shot or dig at Dr. Moore but as a coherent and loving response to arguments commonly used by liberal mainline Protestants and a growing population of emotion-driven conservative Christians. Thus far, there has been no response from Dr. Moore to my response or the many others who have voiced their concern with Dr. Moore’s argumentation.

Dr. Moore,

I am thankful for your zeal for the Gospel and love towards your neighbor. It is encouraging to see the Spirit of God working in a brother in Christ. However, I disagree with several of your points.

1. “First of all, our Lord Jesus himself was a so-called “illegal immigrant.” “…will stand before the throne of a former undocumented immigrant.”

- It is not clear that Mary and Joseph violated any “immigration law” in fleeing to Egypt with Jesus. Continue Reading…