U.S.-Mexico border fence: Scripture and the border fence

As members of Christ’s body, we are called to reconciliation and unity across boundaries of race, nationality, class, and background. The apostle Paul called upon Jews and Gentiles to reject the “dividing walls” of hostility and national identity that separated them as “strangers and aliens,” and to embrace the reconciliation that comes through Christ’s gift of salvation.

As Christians, we claim our identity as citizens of a ‘nation’ that transcends human boundaries and are blessed as members of a universal fellowship of believers. God has given us the amazing opportunity to demonstrate divine redemption and grace through our respect and love for one another, showing the world how Christ can transform our broken human society into a new creation. This love must be made concrete by “action and truth,” not merely symbolic gestures and words.

Since we have such abundance of wealth and power in the United States, love obliges us to act out of justice and compassion, aiding those in need and striving with them. We recognize that we have brothers and sisters in every nation, and we reject the forces that stir up fear and distrust by building walls between people and ignore the suffering of the poor and oppressed.

Since systemic violence and national superiority are contrary to the Biblical way of shalom, we need creative solutions to the injustice and hopelessness that cause people to take desperate actions. We must explore alternative options that build up stable relationships, affirm the humanity and concerns of those who are impacted by current national policy, and seek to create the true security that comes from justice, respect, and mutual care. The biblical call for followers of Christ to be unified is not only spiritual in nature, it is a call to reject real-life barriers and embrace real people.

This calling of unity is central to our identity as the church. Can we live up to it?

We invite you to look at the following Scripture passages and sections of the Mennonite and Brethren in Christ faith statements and reflect on these questions:

• As faithful stewards of God’s creation and members of the worldwide body of Christ, how should we respond to walls that bring destruction and hostility?
• As Anabaptists with a faith heritage of persecution and migration, how should we respond to people who seek to create a better life by moving to this country?
   

Stewardship and the goodness of creation

• Genesis 1:20-30
• Job 12:7-10
• Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, Article 21
  (Christian Stewardship, Paragraph 5 and Commentary Paragraph 5)
• Brethren in Christ Articles of Faith and Doctrine, Section 2
  (Creation and Providence)
   

Unity in Christ and the breaking down of barriers

• Ephesians 2:13-19
• 1 John 3:17-18
• Brethren in Christ Articles of Faith and Doctrine, Section 2
  (Relationships in Creation, Paragraph 4)
• Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, Article 23
  (The Church’s Relationship to Government and Society, Paragraph 2)
   

Written by Daniel Foxvog. All Scripture quotations taken from The New Revised Standard Version.