Borders, Bearing, and the Bible: Thinking Clearly About ICE Deportations

In this episode of The Battlefield Theologian Podcast, Ethan Jago tackles the heated question of ICE deportations—not as a pundit or activist, but as a Christian committed to the sufficiency and authority of Scripture. In an age where emotion and outrage often replace moral reasoning, the goal is to recover biblical categories: compassion without confusion, mercy without naiveté, and justice without cruelty.

Drawing from Romans 13, Deuteronomy, and the New Testament’s teaching on civil authority and hospitality, the episode argues that borders and lawful enforcement are not inherently immoral and can function as forms of neighbor-love in a fallen world when they restrain chaos and protect the vulnerable. At the same time, it calls Christians to reject dehumanizing rhetoric, demand due process and humane treatment, and pursue real, local, tangible mercy without confusing the church’s mission with the state’s role.

The episode closes by re-centering everything on the cross—where justice and mercy meet—and urging believers to resist ideological captivity, think clearly, love the stranger rightly, and stay faithful as Christ reigns and the church contends for the faith.

If you wish to visit the church where Ethan pastors, click here for more information : 5 Bridges Church

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