Original Research

Interplay of fear of God’s judgement and responsibility compulsion as nexus for encouraging responsible migration response

Christopher Magezi
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 40, No 1 | a1909 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v40i1.1909 | © 2019 Christopher Magezi | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 02 July 2018 | Published: 29 July 2019

About the author(s)

Christopher Magezi, Faculty of Theology, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

Abstract

This article argues for the interplay of fear of God’s judgement and responsibility compulsion as a nexus for encouraging responsible migration response. This arises from the need of theology of migration that challenges the church to respond to migration challenges in a comprehensive manner. Given this, the aim of this article is to contribute migration theology that respond to the aforementioned proposed need. It utilises the available literature to establish the role of Israel in God’s redemptive history that includes her positive treatment of people from other nations, thereby also reminding the nations of what God expects of all people. In bringing the issue of the interplay of fear of God’s judgement and responsibility compulsion as a nexus for encouraging responsible migration response, it advances that God promises to judge and punish his people when they oppose his care and love for the vulnerable people such as aliens, widows and orphans (Ex 22:21–27). However, in remaining faithful to his aforementioned promises to the Israelites, God confronts them (the Israelites) in anger, judgement and punishment when they disobey him in the way they manage their relationship with people of other nations (Jr 7:1–15, 52; 2 Ki 24:10–20). With this in mind, it concludes by advancing the interplay of fear of God’s judgement and responsibility compulsion as nexus for encouraging responsible migration response within contemporary churches in South Africa and beyond.

Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article outlines the issue of fear of judgement and responsibility compulsion as a nexus for responsible migration response. It underscores the aforementioned by delving into a thorough exegesis of the relevant Old Testament passages and looking at Israel’s role in redemptive history as God’s people. It then presents the role of Israel as accomplished by the God-man, Jesus Christ, who established the church as a new covenant community of God. As such, it is a theological interdisciplinary article integrating exegesis, biblical theology, systematic theology and practical theology.


Keywords

Israel; responsibility compulsion; God’s anger; God’s judgement; God’s punishment; Christians; church; migration response

Metrics

Total abstract views: 2116
Total article views: 2706

 

Crossref Citations

1. Church and xenophobia: The tension between nationhood and God’s mission in South Africa
Christopher Magezi
Verbum et Ecclesia  vol: 44  issue: 1  year: 2023  
doi: 10.4102/ve.v44i1.2892