The last few years has brought me face-to-face with the
mounting dilemma of human displacement. Large parts of this are due to my work with Kids
Alive Lebanon, my connection to a large family network of Syrian refugees, and
my personal interest in topic of statelessness. While this
problem contains a myriad of dimensions, I firmly believe that faith
dimensions reveal the implications of the crisis not only as it is now in the
21st Century but as it always has been throughout human history. This is what Rupen Das and I explore in our
newly-published book, Strangers in the
Kingdom: Ministering to Refugees, Migrants and the Stateless.
All of us at some point have been strangers, and everyone
has experienced the discomfort that comes with being out of place. While this usually involves a series of
momentary inconveniences, today historic numbers refugees, migrants and
stateless individuals (more than an estimated 65 million) have seen their
entire lives reduced to the unrelenting condition of being in a constant state
of “stranger.” It’s the tragedy at the
heart of the global displacement crisis. Our world is struggling mightily to cope with
the fallout of displaced populations, and reactions to this global flux are yielding
profound ramifications at political, legal, social and economic levels. Yet God speaks directly to the phenomenon of
displacement and its brutal undermining of human life. The Bible laments the injustices facing
refugees, migrants, and stateless individuals but protests against a narrative
of misery by declaring a narrative of hope.
God's kingdom performs the dual function of confronting injustice with
active compassion and inviting “strangers” into the most meaningful place of
belonging. But what does this look like
practically? Where do we see this in the
Bible? Why should people of faith care
about the displaced?
These are questions Rupen Das and I examine in Strangers in the Kingdom. The work is a nuanced practical theology
meant to inform the Church’s mission to engage the displaced with the love of
Christ. We discuss core teachings of
scripture that speak to the realities facing refugees, migrants and stateless
individuals all while exploring God’s compassionate heart for the suffering. Strangers in the Kingdom applies various methods,
including:
- - Information and analysis on the global context, scope and categories of displacement (refugee, IDP, migrant, & stateless)
- - Survey of Old Testament and New Testament teachings on displacement and Early Christianity experiences with the displaced.
- - Theological exploration of place and belonging.
- - Human testimonies of displacement.
- - Case studies of churches and organizations ministering to the displaced.
- - Discussion questions.
It has been a pleasure to work
with Rupen Das on this book. He was an
influential instructor and supervisor in my graduate
studies and his teachings have profoundly influenced my own personal faith and ministry
(I strongly suggest Compassion
and the Mission of God for a robust study on God’s
concern for the poor). Likewise,
everyone at Langham Literature
has proven to be top-notch in their professionalism and commitment to
supporting the global church through the production and distribution of
literature. I have learned a great deal in
the process of writing this book and am ever grateful for the invitation to be
part of the effort.
Strangers in the Kingdom has never just been about addressing an
issue or a dilemma but rather about turning our minds and hearts to the countless inspiring individuals who face
displacement with firm faith and steady grace. Our
desire is simply to help steer this important discussion deeper into the
reality of every displaced person’s humanity and higher into the boundless measures
of God’s goodness and hope. It is individual
people that make this book meaningful to me and I pray that that this book will in some
small way be meaningful to the Church as we walk out in our mission to be
people of the kingdom. I’m excited to
share this book with you and look forward to hearing your feedback and
responses.
God’s Peace,
Brent Hamoud
Strangers in the Kingdom is available at all major bookselling
sites, including Amazon
and Barnes
& Noble. For special or bulk
orders please contact the publishers at literature@langham.org.
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