Abstract
Despite extensive theological research that has been conducted in response to the various challenges that are faced by international migrants, labelling is still prevalent. Derogatory stereotypes, names, categories and other labels continue to be used at the expense of foreigners, thus precipitating xenophobia. With the above-mentioned plight of international migrants in mind, the objective of this article is to respond to the ongoing challenge in which they are derisively labelled. The use of such derogatory stereotypes arguably exposes the migrants to many forms of discrimination, which mostly culminate in xenophobic violence. This article pays special attention to Matthew 22:34–40 as a critical text in developing a theological thinking that can shift negative categories in order to encourage the embrace and inclusion of migrants. Methodologically, this article is literature-based. The article begins by identifying the problem statement and then interacts with the aforementioned biblical text and pertinent literature in order to draw some theological implications to the identified challenge. Matthew 22:34–40 reveals how the God-man, Jesus Christ, confronts the limited definition which the Jews ascribe to the term neighbour. According to the skewed belief of the Jews, their neighbours were exclusively compatriot Jews. However, Jesus’ conception of the term neighbour is inclusive of all fellow human beings because they are all created in the image of God and are the objects of God’s love. Given the aforesaid, the article concludes by contending that before people designate derogatory stereotypes and labels that precipitate xenophobia, it is imperative to recognise each other, not only as neighbours but also as the bearers of God’s image and objects of divine love.Contribution: In this way, the contribution of this article is embedded in utilising Matthew 22:34–40 as an attempt to develop a theological thinking that shifts negative migrant categories to encourage embrace and inclusion.
Highlights
The use of derogatory stereotypes and political labels on international migrants,1 including those who are legal, illegal, undocumented or irregular, as well as refugees and many other categories, contributes towards discrimination by the local communities and governments (Coetzee 2019; Fox, Moroşanu & Szilassy 2012:680–695; Groody 2009:642; Lee & Nerghes 2018:1; Magezi & Magezi 2018:3; Stein 2018:n.p)
The church should develop theological thinking that challenges people to primarily perceive each other as of equal status before they stereotype or designate labels that result in negative perceptions of migrants
When I speak of international migrants, I am referring to all people that move from their countries of origin to other countries for various reasons
Summary
The use of derogatory stereotypes and political labels on international migrants, including those who are legal, illegal, undocumented or irregular, as well as refugees and many other categories, contributes towards discrimination by the local communities and governments (Coetzee 2019; Fox, Moroşanu & Szilassy 2012:680–695; Groody 2009:642; Lee & Nerghes 2018:1; Magezi & Magezi 2018:3; Stein 2018:n.p). The movement of people from one community or town within the same country is internal migration (International Organization for Migration [IOM] 2015:35). Refugees are considered as a sub-category of international migrants that involuntarily migrate from one country to the other because of life-threatening disasters and predicaments such as natural disasters, climate change and political instabilities (IOM 2015:35; Skeldon 2013:2). Refugees are considered as a sub-category of international migrants that involuntarily migrate from one country to the other because of life-threatening disasters and predicaments such as natural disasters, climate change and political instabilities (IOM 2015:35; Skeldon 2013:2). Gilmore (2016), the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, subscribed to the aforesaid understanding when utilising the word migrant as an overarching notion which refers to all people who have in common a lack of citizenship in their hosting countries
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