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Clobbering the America-First Agenda

Clobbering the America-First Agenda

Last updated on: November 13, 2024 at 10:27 pm by Matthew Distefano

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Clobbering the America-First Agenda 2024-11-13T22:27:19-06:00 Matthew Distefano

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Let’s talk about sin—real sin. Not the kind where people have the audacity to fall in love with someone of the same gender, but the kind where you slam the door in the face of the immigrant, the foreigner, the migrant seeking refuge. And before you clutch your pearls and tell me it’s “complicated,” let me remind you that the Bible—yes, the same one you keep weaponizing against queer folks—has a lot to say about welcoming the stranger. Spoiler: God isn’t thrilled with your “America First” theology.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

“Welcome the Foreigner, or Else”

Leviticus 19:34 says it as plainly as possible:

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

Notice how there’s no asterisk, no “unless they cross the border illegally” disclaimer. Nope, it’s just a clear, unambiguous command.

But wait, there’s more. Deuteronomy 10:18-19:

“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt.”

Did you catch that? God loves the foreigner. So when you choose—yes, choose—to deny asylum seekers, refuse to shelter refugees, or look the other way as families are torn apart, you are making a deliberate decision to stand against what God has commanded. A lifestyle choice, if you will.

Jesus: The Original “Open Borders” Advocate

“But that’s the Old Testament,” you say, as if Jesus came to abolish the law rather than fulfill it. Fine. Let’s talk about Jesus. In Matthew 25:35-40, he lays it out:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”

And in case you missed it, he follows up with this gem:

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Now, imagine standing before Jesus and explaining why you couldn’t let him in because you were worried he might “drain the welfare system” or “bring crime to your neighborhood.” Awkward, right?

The Sin of Sodom (Hint: It’s Not What You Think)

Let’s clear up a common misconception about Sodom. Contrary to popular evangelical folklore, Sodom’s big sin wasn’t about consensual same-sex relationships. According to Ezekiel 16:49, their sin was this:

“She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

Let that sink in. Sodom was destroyed because they refused to care for the marginalized. So if you’re sitting there, smugly supporting policies that make life harder for migrants while quoting Genesis, I have some bad news for you, and so does the Bible.

“It’s a Choice”

Now, let’s address one of the elephants in the room: free will. You see, welcoming the immigrant isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a biblical mandate. So when you choose to ignore these commands, it’s not because God made you that way. No, it’s because you’ve chosen to prioritize fear and xenophobia over scripture. You’ve chosen to build walls instead of bridges.

And by the way, don’t tell me you were “born this way,” with an inherent inability to empathize with the plight of refugees. You weren’t. This is a deliberate decision you’re making, and one you’ll have to answer for when you’re standing before God, explaining why you ignored his very clear instructions.

The Writer of Hebrews Gets in on the Action

Still not convinced? Let’s look at Hebrews 13:2, we’re told:

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

So every time you turn away a migrant at the border, just remember: that could’ve been an angel. Imagine explaining to God why you slammed the door on Gabriel because you were worried he might not speak English.

The Paradox of Biblical Literalism

Here’s the kicker. Many Christians claim to take the Bible literally, except when it comes to issues that make them uncomfortable. When it’s about LGBTQ+ people? Literal interpretation all the way (anachronistic, ahistorical, and everything!). But when the Bible explicitly commands us to welcome the immigrant? Suddenly, it’s all about “context” and “interpretation.”

There’s no room for that kind of double standard here. If you’re going to wield the Bible as a weapon, you’d better be prepared to live by all of it—not just the parts that align with your political ideology.

What Would Jesus Actually Do?

Jesus wouldn’t be building walls or setting up checkpoints. He wouldn’t be fear-mongering about caravans or making excuses for inhumane immigration policies. He’d be feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and welcoming the stranger.

So the next time you feel tempted to scapegoat migrants for your country’s problems, remember this: the so-called “clobber” passages aren’t about condemning love. They’re about condemning selfishness, greed, and a refusal to care for the least of these.

And if that makes you uncomfortable, maybe it’s time to rethink whose kingdom you’re really serving. Because as it stands, it’s not God’s.

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Also, if you’ve been digging my work on here, and want to see me be able to continue writing as close to full-time as humanly possible, please take a look at my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/mjdistefano. Even $1 a month helps bigly!

Politics and Religion

Biblical commands on immigration

Christian response to immigration

Immigration and faith-based values

Sodom and helping the poor

Welcoming the stranger in the Bible

What does the Bible say about migrants

About Matthew J. Distefano

Matthew J. DiStefano is a writer and business owner dedicated to exploring the intersections of faith, culture, and social justice. He is the author of The Wisdom of Hobbits and the host of the High Minds Podcast, as well as co-host of the Heretic Happy Hour podcast. Matthew engages in open and thought-provoking conversations that challenge conventional beliefs and promote inclusivity. His work centers on dismantling harmful ideologies and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and a more compassionate understanding of spirituality. As a farmer and owner of Happy Woods Farm, Matthew also embraces the joy of cultivating the land and nurturing a sustainable lifestyle. With a unique blend of humor and insight, he invites readers to question, reflect, and ultimately find freedom in their beliefs. You can read more about the author here.

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