Speaking of migrants: a Christian reflection on language and welcome
How we speak about people from overseas matters. For Christians, our words should reflect God’s heart for the stranger – the one who comes from afar and is to be loved as one of our own (Leviticus 19:34).
This is not the place to discuss borders, nationhood and mass migration. It's about how we speak of migrants and is more to do with churches than government policy.
Common terms like ‘migrant’ and ‘immigrant’ are widespread but often freighted with dislike. ‘Migrant’ evokes movement without destination; ‘immigrant’ flattens what is often a much more complex identity. These folk carry with them a whole heritage which they don't lose at the border.
The most helpful term I've found is ‘diasporic neighbour’, aside from the inconvenience that there is no singular noun for this type of migrant, as if Ahmed the barber could be labelled a ‘diasporus’. But it is a useful term. The original diaspora was the dispersion or scattering of the Jews after the Exile. They lived as natives of Babylon, Crete, Rome and so on, but still had a heartfelt attachment to their place of origin – in large part because of a theologically framed identity: think Daniel stretching out his hands three times a day to pray to Jerusalem. And the command to appear before God three times a year at the major festivals.
Some prefer ‘internationals,’ a term friendlier in tone, especially used for overseas students. Yet it glosses over the major differences between the more middle or upper class overseas students and often more blue-collar migrants. Similarly, ‘SOLs’ (Speakers of Other Languages) focuses on linguistic difference – rather a functional label.
Labels like ‘Asians,’ ‘ethnic minorities,’ or ‘people from overseas’ can unintentionally flatten complex identities, defining people solely by their otherness. By contrast, ‘newcomers’ carries a sense of welcome and journey, though it implies a recent arrival which may not always fit.
I love the phrase ‘the nations on our doorstep’ – it captures a biblical vision of global community. Yet, again, there is no singular form: we have no easy way to say ‘a nation on our doorstep’ about an individual without sounding strange.
The Greek word in the NT for foreigner is ‘xenos’ (ξένος) – a stranger. We all know the word xenophobia. But are we imbued with xenophilia? Actually the word in Hebrews 13:2 is that word with the two parts flipped: philoxenia. But let's not forget that hospitality to the xenos is a key hallmark of Christian faith – we may even entertain angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).
Therefore, our language must serve love, not fear. We should choose words that honour our neighbours and avoid reducing people to problems or projects. Sometimes this will mean choosing more relational terms: neighbour, friend, newcomer, or simply using a person’s name rather than a category.
Words are seeds. They grow into attitudes, and attitudes shape our communities. As Christians, we are called to sow words of welcome that reflect the Kingdom we belong to, which is a gathering of many nations, and it is happening on our doorstep.
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