cover image Jesus, King of Strangers

Jesus, King of Strangers

Mark W. Hamilton. Eerdmans, $20 trade paper (184p) ISBN 978-0-8028-7662-1

In this concise exegesis, Hamilton (Slavery’s Long Shadow), professor of Old Testament theology at Abilene Christian University, calls on Christians to return to core biblical texts for moral clarity around the human experience of and response to migration in light of the current global refugee crisis. While Hamilton notes that white, evangelical support for the Republican Party and Donald Trump remains strong, he believes that this political allegiance is at odds with biblical teachings and a long history of Christian skepticism regarding the power of nation-states. With an emphasis on Old Testament teachings, Hamilton explores the experience of migrants and their host communities found in the stories of Abraham, Sarah, and Joseph. His readings draw out the foundational themes of exodus and exile in Christian scripture, consider biblical law regarding hospitality and welcoming the stranger, and finally weave scriptural narratives together with modern examples of human migration and the political responses to it. He concludes that a truly Christian response to migration, grounded in biblical ethics, requires vigorous opposition to harsh anti-immigration public policy. Speaking unequivocally about “racism masquerading as spirituality,” Hamilton’s insightful work will be a useful text for Christians working to confront xenophobia in their own communities, and may also be of interest to non-Christians looking for a different perspective on the immigration debate. (May)