Dear Mr. Jeffrey Sessions,
I am an Evangelical Christian. Please do not confuse me as an extreme fundamentalist. As I understand it, you claim also to be a Christian. Could we sit down and have a safe, sane conversation over coffee? There is some confusion that I have over some things that you said and I would appreciate the opportunity to understand a statement you made during a news conference. In referring to the U.S. government separating Central American children from their families at our southern border you stated," Illegal entry into the United States is a crime. It should be. It must be. I would cite you to the Apostle Paul in his clear and wise command in Romans 13. To obey the laws of the government because God has ordained the government for his purposes." You were referring to Romans 13:1 in that statement.
Mr. Sessions it would seem to me that you have been attending church long enough to know that a good Christian never takes one statement in scripture and applies a definitive interpretation all by itself. All good theologians know you must read before and after any one scripture to gain context and often one must cross reference with other scriptures to get a theme in the writings. Perhaps if you would read the rest of that chapter in Romans out loud you could help us all to get a bigger picture of what Paul was saying. Paul writes in Romans 13:10 ,"Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Aren't little children from Central America our neighbors? According to the American Psychological Association there are decades of research demonstrating that family separation can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among other conditions. Doesn't that constitute harm?
The Apostle Paul, as you know, had a life changing encounter with Jesus. Afterward Paul dedicated his life to teaching others about Jesus and his message of love. I am sure you know Jesus' quote from the Gospel of Luke 6:31,"Do to others as you would have them do to you." In the Gospel of Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus says,"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." Mr. Sessions are you and this White House administration treating these children the way you would want to be treated if you were in their situation? Are you loving these innocent children and their families as you love yourself?
Do you remember Mr. Sessions another young , poor family who lived in the Roman territory of Judea about 2000 years ago. They had to flee due to a law that the client king of Rome named Herod had decreed. He decreed the killing of all baby boys under the age of two in the City of Bethlehem and the surrounding area. Was that law just and ordained by God or just corrupt? This refugee family had to flee to Egypt for political asylum. Perhaps you have heard of this family. Their names were Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. I am so glad that family was not separated. Aren't you?
When you have a moment, let's have that coffee.
In His Love,
Ed Ness
Leadership Team Member
Oak Life Church