1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I write to remind you what Scripture records about the beginning of CHRIST’S life. The HOLY FAMILY survived political violence only because a foreign nation received them. In MATTHEW 2:13 TO 14, JOSEPH took MARY and the child and fled to EGYPT. They entered as REFUGEES with no home, no protection, and no allies except strangers who allowed them to live on their soil. This fulfilled HOSEA 11:1. Before that flight the MAGI in MATTHEW 2:1 TO 12, foreigners from distant lands, honored the child and provided gifts that sustained the family during their exile. The BIBLE also commands compassion toward those who flee danger. EXODUS 22:21 tells ISRAEL not to wrong or oppress a stranger because ISRAEL once lived as strangers in EGYPT. LEVITICUS 19:34 says the stranger must be loved as the native born. This is the foundation of CHRISTIAN teaching on REFUGE. This is the foundation of the story that leads to the GOSPEL itself. When I look at the language used by PRESIDENT TRUMP uses toward IMMIGRANTS and REFUGEES I see no trace of the faith he claims. He calls IMMIGRANTS POISON. He calls ASYLUM SEEKERS ANIMALS and INVADERS. He tells entire communities they do not belong in this country. He repeats lies about SOMALI AMERICANS and portrays them as a threat. He speaks of PURIFICATION and REMOVAL rather than welcome and safety. If such rules and such language had existed at the time of HEROD, the HOLY FAMILY would never have reached EGYPT. They would never have survived. Trump’s version of Christianity would have denied REFUGE to the family that carried the hope of the world. This is why I believe his claim of Christian leadership has no scriptural foundation. The core of the faith is built on a refugee child protected by strangers. Trump’s policies and words reject the very story that defines CHRISTIANITY. MATTHEW 25:35 TO 45 delivers the final word. I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU WELCOMED ME. WHATEVER YOU DID TO THE LEAST OF THESE YOU DID TO ME. WHATEVER YOU REFUSED TO THE LEAST OF THESE YOU REFUSED TO ME. This command annihilates any speech that degrades the foreigner and denies REFUGE to those who flee danger.