They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration, Second Edition

By Stephen P. Bouman and Ralston Deffenbaugh

Book Overview

Although written from a Lutheran religious tradition, the invitation and reach of They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration, Second Edition is broad and inclusive. It includes all who are in touch with their own immigrant forebears and who share deeply spiritual hopes for our communal life. Authors Stephen Bouman and Ralston Deffenbaugh observe that ten years after they wrote the first edition of this book, immigration is an even more contentious issue in society and the church, and immigrants are much more vulnerable, mistreated, and blamed than ever before.

They Are Us encourages congregations to engage in the public space with grace and to offer hospitality in an often-alien world. The authors propose that the church, at every level, from local to national to global, work to transform our present polarization and fear and lead to real change. They envision a community that offers a haven for every refugee, a job for every migrant, a home for every immigrant--a vision that is profoundly biblical and deeply faithful.

Through stories of crisis and hope, They Are Us helps Christian communities understand themselves and their ministries as part of God's narrative of love and hospitality for the little, the lost, the last, and the least. These stories show there is no greater power to unite our divided, angry, and fearful church and society than the presence of the crucified and risen Christ among us.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1506464211
• ISBN13: 9781506464213
• Release Date: November 2020
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Length: 234 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A different and optimistic look at immigration, and a must read for Lutherans

Love thy neighbor is a commonly trumpeted virtue of Christianity, and "They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration" echoes this sentiment. Authors Stephen Bouman & Ralston Deffenbaugh explains this viewpoint in regards to immigration calling for Lutherans to take these lost souls under their wing and help them to the best of their power, stating that charity and generosity is the Christian way of life. "They Are Us" is a different and optimistic look at immigration, and a must read for Lutherans.

Great resource for teaching

This is a very good resource for teaching in congregations about immigration and our call as Christians to welcome the stranger among us. Although it is written by Lutherans it would be applicable to any Christian denomination. As a Lutheran and a mission developer in an immigrant community I am thankful to have this resource to use as I visit other congregations to teach about the reasons for the presence of and our response to the immigrants living in our midst.