JD Vance’s “Christian Concept” Immigration Defense: One Year of Escalating Controversy

The Progressive Argument

Pastor Anyabwile counters: “This country has so baptized the flag in civil religion, or wrapped Christianity in the flag, that it cannot distinguish the two and thereby distorts the two. I don’t mind politicians injecting faith or religion. But the faithful had better try what they say by the word of God.”

Sociologist Samuel Perry asks: “Wild to hear people argue that it’s somehow distinctively ‘Christian’ to prioritize your own family, tribe, & nation. As if societies throughout history were enslaved by the sin of being irresponsibly generous to outsiders & Jesus came to teach us to look out for our own first.”

The Augustinian Middle Ground

User Josiah Hawthorne quotes Augustine himself: “All men are to be loved equally. But since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special regard to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstance, are brought into closer connection with you.”

John Reasnor, founder of Lamb’s Reign, emphasizes: “The distinction between love and the practical duties we have for one another is an important and, frankly, basic facet of Christian ethics. Augustine, Calvin, and countless other faithful believers have made the distinction between love and obligations. They are not the same and it’s no small error to conflate the two.”

What Does Scripture Actually Say?

At the heart of this debate are competing biblical visions:

Vance’s supporters point to:

• 1 Timothy 5:8: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
• Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Vance’s critics point to:

• Matthew 5:43-44: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
• Leviticus 19:34: “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
• Matthew 25:35: “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.”
• Luke 10:29-37: The parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus defines “neighbor” as anyone in need—regardless of nationality or relationship.

The Real Question

The debate over ordo amoris isn’t really about whether Christians should love their families. Of course they should.

The question is whether that love operates in concentric circles—where love for strangers is always less than love for fellow citizens—or whether Christian love is fundamentally disruptive of natural human affections, calling us to love enemies, care for strangers, and see the image of God in every person.

As one pastor put it: “You don’t need the Holy Spirit to love your own kids. Even unbelievers do that. The Gospel calls us to something higher.”