John Piper Sparks Evangelical Backlash With Leviticus Immigration Tweet
Reformed Baptist theologian John Piper ignited a firestorm among evangelical leaders after posting an Old Testament verse about welcoming the stranger — which many interpreted as a veiled critique of U.S. immigration enforcement. Pastor Jack Hibbs and other prominent voices accused Piper of 'irresponsible theology,' arguing that quoting Leviticus 19:34 without context about border security misrepresents Scripture. The clash exposes a deepening fault line within American evangelicalism over whether the Bible's commands to welcome the sojourner apply to national immigration policy — a debate that has intensified as ICE operations expand and the Pope and Protestant leaders increasingly weigh in from opposing sides.
Read Full Story at Christian PostThe foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
— Leviticus 19:34
The verse at the center of the controversy. Piper quoted it; critics say ripping it from its ancient Israelite context to score political points against modern border enforcement is hermeneutically irresponsible. The debate underscores how deeply immigration has divided the American church.