What Should We Think About the Syrian Refugee Crisis?

Updated 11/17/2015:

I initially posted this article on September 25^th, but I am returning to this subject as a result of the attack on Paris carried out by Islamic terrorists on November 13^th, and because I was asked to comment on it.

When I look back at my first post, I find there is very little I need to add. I feel most of what I wrote still stands on its own. However, the attack does offer validation to the concerns I mentioned at the time. The government has a responsibility to protect its own citizens, not to offer charity to the rest of the world. This is especially true when that charity may actually result in the endangerment of its citizens. France certainly cannot be held at fault for what has happened. It is only the responsibility of the Muslim terrorists. But if the French government had been more discerning, such an attack would have at least been more difficult.

I also want to mention a development that hits closer to home, making this even more of an immediate concern. I live in Western Pennsylvania, where Gov. Tom Wolf and Mayor Bill Peduto of Pittsburgh have doubled down on their resolve to welcome a number of Syrian refugees.

I think, as a matter of public policy, this should be stopped. There are too many questions about the safety of welcoming these people, especially after what has transpired. It is not rational, and there is no good reason to go out borrowing trouble.

With that being said, it is not likely we will be able to stop it. These two men are well-known partisans, and this is now a cause célèbre for the political left wing. I doubt we will be able to convince them to behave cautiously. Therefore, these refugees are coming. What should we, as Christians, do about it?

Once they are our problem, there will be no good grumbling about it. If we offer them nothing but suspicion, we may actually exacerbate the problem. That is where charity will actually come into play. The best thing to do at that point is to offer them love. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best and only hope for change. If we can be a reflection of Him, and share the word of His grace to mankind, our enemies may become our friends. And even if they do not, we will be following the example of our Lord, which guarantees blessings in heaven.

The government is to offer security, while the church is to offer charity. It is shameful to have to see those roles being reversed as a result of the poor thinking of our national and local leaders. But if the church must be the voice of prudence, it must also be the hands of love once prudence has been ignored. Two wrongs do not make a right.

Original Post, edited 11/17/2015:

What should our position be toward the Syrian refugee crisis? What should we be thinking about these people, and what should it make us do? It is a difficult and timely question.

I’m assuming you’ve heard the news about this. The war between Bashar Assad’s regime and ISIS has resulted in the displacement of millions, many of whom are attempting to migrate to Europe and the United States. What should we do with them?

First off, I do hold to a conception of separation of church and state, which might surprise some people (though it shouldn't). I’ve spoken about this before, but let me just spell out some of what I mean by that. Essentially, I believe that the churches and the government serve different purposes. The government cannot always do what the churches do, and vice versa, though I think it is possible and appropriate for them to work together. So that said, there is a difference between what is required of America, and what is required of the Church.

I also believe that even as Christians, we need to act prudently (Matthew 10:16). We have a responsibility to be on the watch for dangers, and the way people take advantage of us. There have been accusations of a lot of that in this crisis, and we should be aware of them. Why, for instance are most of the refugees men? Did they abandon their women and children? And what is the risk of jihadists being among them?

We can’t pretend these things are not an issue. But we also cannot pretend this is something that will just blow over. We should not ignore it or turn a blind eye. We should offer charity, not foolishly, but still openly (1 Corinthians 13:4–7). What that means and what limits it has, I do not know. But we have to be willing to do something.

A very well-known story from the Bible illustrates this point in a way that should drive it home. Who do we want to be in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)? Because if we act like the Syrians don’t exist and don’t need our help, we are reflecting the priest and the Levite from the story.

In many ways, yes, the Muslims are our enemies. We shouldn't deny that out of some PC fixation with never offending anyone. But Jesus Christ told us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43–47). The Samaritan was the Jewish man's enemy, but he still went the extra mile to help him (that allusion actually comes from Jesus, too: Matthew 5:41). We are supposed to care—about people, and for them.

Easy for me to say, I know. I am only in a position to talk, not to really do anything. But I can at least try to take a small part in changing the tone. We have to start somewhere.

Once again, this is not unlimited. We cannot help everyone, not even as the church, yet alone as the United States. But we should take the plight of our fellow humans seriously. Ultimately, this won’t be fixed until the ISIS problem is solved. People with a naïve attitude also need to be corrected. We need to show love, though. Taking care of the outcast is pure religion (James 1:27). We should not be so careful for ourselves that we become ineffectual for the Gospel.

I still don't know what that looks like, but I think we have to try to figure it out. What do you think?Once again, this is not unlimited. We cannot help everyone, not even as the church, yet alone as the United States. But we should take the plight of our fellow humans seriously. Ultimately, this won’t be fixed until the ISIS problem is solved. People with a naïve attitude also need to be corrected. We need to show love, though. Taking care of the outcast is pure religion (James 1:27). We should not be so careful for ourselves that we become ineffectual for the Gospel.

I still don't know what that looks like, but I think we have to try to figure it out. What do you think?

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