Was What Vance Told Hannity About Immigration Actually a ‘Christian Concept’?

j.d. vance
Vice President J.D. Vance. Screengrab from YouTube / @FoxNews

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Lewis wrote, “St. Augustine defines virtue as ordo amoris, the ordinate condition of the affections in which every object is accorded that kind of degree of love which is appropriate to it.”

Pearcey linked to an article titled, “A Modest Defense of Nationalism,” and quoted the author:

We must establish a priority among the things that we love. Most important for the Christian is the love of God, followed closely by the love of family. There is something like a concentric circle of loves radiating out from each person, with the innermost circles deserving our greatest focus.

Dr. Danielle Treweek, author of “The Meaning of Singleness,” replied to Pearcey, saying, “If ‘family’ here does not refer to the household of God, then I’m perturbed by the author’s exclusion of the church in the Christian’s ordered loves.”

“Wild to hear people argue that it’s somehow distinctively ‘Christian’ to prioritize your own family, tribe, & nation,” said Samuel Perry, an author and professor of sociology at the University of Oklahoma. “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.”

“I mean, think about how ludicrous it is to claim that it’s a ‘Christian’ ethic to do what is basically a fundamental law of human social groups (in-group preference),” Perry added. “Do you really need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit & example of Christ to prefer your own people? You do not.”

Perry referenced 1 Timothy 5:8, which says, “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

“Paul’s not saying it’s a Christian thing to prefer your own in-group,” said Perry. “He’s saying even unbelievers take care of their family. Your standard is higher.”

Artist Makoto Fujimura responded to Vance’s comments, saying, “No Mr Vice President, that is not a ‘Christian’ teaching.” Fujimura quoted Matthew 22:37-40, which says in part, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You may make an argument for ‘conservative family values’ here as a politician, but please do not conflate Biblical teaching with what we do in politics,” Fujimura said. “There is another Biblical teaching admonishing us not to do that: do not create idols (1 John 5:21) to replace our worship of true God.”

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Jessica Lea
Jessica is a content editor for ChurchLeaders.com and the producer of The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast. She has always had a passion for the written word and has been writing professionally for the past five years. When Jessica isn't writing, she enjoys West Coast Swing dancing, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

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