Xenophobia is defined as having or showing a dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries. It comes from the Greek words ξένος (xenos), meaning “stranger,” “foreigner,” and φόβος (phobos), meaning “fear.” Throughout history, xenophobia has manifested itself in attitudes of superiority, fear, and hatred toward foreigners and those perceived as outsiders or threats. The Bible addresses these attitudes from the perspective of God’s heart for all people and His desire for justice, mercy, and love to prevail over fear and prejudice.
Old Testament Teachings on Loving the Foreigner
In the Old Testament, God instructs His people to care for and welcome foreigners living among them. Passages such as Leviticus 19:33-34 say, “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” God reminds the Israelites of their own experience as mistreated foreigners in Egypt and commands them to treat foreigners justly. He makes clear that the foreigner is not “other” but a fellow child of God to be treated with dignity and love.
The Old Testament prophets frequently condemned Israel for oppressing foreigners (Jeremiah 7:5-7; Ezekiel 22:29; Zechariah 7:8-10). They proclaimed that God cares deeply for foreigners and enacted laws to protect them (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). Israel was to welcome foreigners into their religious practices (Numbers 15:14-16) and leave food in their fields for them to glean (Leviticus 23:22). God would judge Israel based on how they treated foreigners (Malachi 3:5). Overall, the Old Testament presents a countercultural ethic where outsiders are embraced rather than excluded.
Jesus’ Ministry Transcended Ethnic Boundaries
In the Gospels, Jesus’ ministry transcended ethnic boundaries. He ministered to and affirmed the faith of Gentiles on many occasions, violating cultural norms that scorned association with outsiders (Matthew 8:5-13, 15:21-28; Luke 7:1-10). Jesus emphasized that one’s spiritual status before God was not based on ethnicity but on faith and humility (Luke 10:25-37; John 4:7-26). He taught that all people were to be treated as neighbors (Luke 10:29-37) and broke down barriers between Jews and Samaritans who despised each other (John 4:1-26). Jesus’ love had no ethnic limitations.
Jesus condemned attitudes of prejudice and exclusion. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus highlighted the hypocrisy of religious elites shunning outsiders in need. He rebuked James and John for desiring to destroy a Samaritan village that rejected them (Luke 9:51-55). Jesus emphasized that his followers were to love and do good to all people, including their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36). The barriers we erect between “us” and “them” had no place in Jesus’ kingdom.
The Early Church Welcomed People of All Nations
In Acts and the Epistles, the early church transcended ethnic divisions unusual for the time. At Pentecost, people from all over the world heard the disciples speaking in their own native languages (Acts 2:5-11). The Holy Spirit’s gift emphasized that the gospel was for people of every nation. Acts 10-11 records that Gentiles received the Holy Spirit just as the Jews had, and the Jewish believers accepted them. Peter proclaimed, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” (Acts 10:34-35).
Paul’s ministry emphasized that the gospel demolished racial barriers and unites people in Christ. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Paul condemned those demanding Gentiles adopt Jewish customs to be true Christians, emphasizing that both groups are saved by grace (Galatians 2:11-16). He collected money from Gentile churches to bring to the Jewish church in Jerusalem to foster unity (Romans 15:25-27). For Paul, the gospel enabled diverse people to live in harmony as the people of God.
Biblical Principles Against Xenophobia
While the cultural contexts differ, these biblical themes undermine prejudice against foreigners:
- Human beings are all created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Ethnic differences do not change our value before God.
- God commands justice and love for the vulnerable foreigner (Deuteronomy 10:18-19; Leviticus 19:33-34).
- National identity is relativized before our shared identity in Christ (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11).
- God desires unity amidst diversity within the church (Ephesians 2:13-22, 4:1-6).
- Christians are to seek the good of all people (Galatians 6:10).
- Hospitality and mutual love are paramount virtues (Hebrews 13:1-2; 1 Peter 4:8-9).
Overall, the consistent biblical ethic is to love neighbors, welcome strangers, act justly toward outsiders, and honor the fundamental equality of all people as created in God’s image and offered redemption through Christ. This provides a strong argument against xenophobia from a Christian perspective.
Practical Applications
The Bible’s response to xenophobia has several practical applications for the church today:
- Churches can purposefully welcome immigrants, providing community and practical help.
- Christians can support ministries serving refugees and advocate for just policies.
- Believers should examine prejudiced attitudes in their hearts and repent as needed.
- The church can provide friendship and aid to international students and families.
- Congregations can actively pursue ethnic diversity and integration.
- Christians can learn about other cultures with humility and respect.
- Leaders must condemn xenophobic rhetoric and set an example of Christ-like love.
The Bible calls Christ’s followers to counter fear and prejudice with radical hospitality, service, justice, empathy, and neighbor love. A biblical worldview provides compelling moral reasons to overcome xenophobia in all its manifestations both individually and socially.
