Issues in Immigration: From Rhetoric to Realism

Recently, I accompanied my dad to the hospital where he works as he did a routine safety check on a couple of ventilators. He explained to me that there was only a certain amount of current that could “leak” from the unit in order for it to be safe. But that standard used to allow for a lot less current than it does today. The standard has been changed. I don’t know the reasons for the change, but I do know that the ventilators are still safe even with the new standard in place.

I am a Mexican. I was born in America. All the generations before mine have spoken Spanish, but they did not pass it on to me or my cousins. My grandparents were poor. My parents were poor. I am still poor. But just as my parents’ wealth grew, I don’t doubt my future will be comfortable as I continue to work diligently.

Growing up I did my own lawn. Last year my parents hired people to do theirs: Mexicans. I do not know whether they are legal residents or not. But they do a good work.

I’ve heard a lot of heated debate on the issue of undocumented/illegal immigrants from Mexico. For the most part, I think both sides are right. But I am quite annoyed at the unhelpful rhetoric. Calling immigrants “undocumented workers” is an unnecessary spin that deflects from serious consideration of the problems these people create for American citizens by being here. Calling them “illegal” and characterizing any “guest worker program” as “amnesty” is simply ignorant and unfair.

There is a problem. Both perspectives of the problem have valid concerns that need to be addressed. I will not attempt to offer a solution. But I will suggest an approach.

Government is a human and fallible institution. In America we are under the rule of law, which we create in order to establish morality, justice, and order in society. Ideally, we make laws based on what is naturally right and wrong. Unfortunately, in our postmodern mindset we have come to think that laws create right and wrong. Just because something is currently illegal doesn’t mean it should be. It is wrong to break the law; but not all laws are just. We may at times need to revisit or revise some laws to address unforeseen contingencies.

To address the whole immigrant problem by characterizing them as “illegals” is supremely unhelpful. Though technically correct it categorically ignores the reality of why the immigrants come and how they affect our society.

On the other hand, it is no use whatsoever to throw out the law and just allow anyone to come to America. To do so would weaken our State economically and eventually equalize the US and Mexico, thereby eliminating the need for anyone to migrate at all. It would also compromise our security, which no one wants.

The answer is simple, but not easy. 1.) The laws must be just and fair; and 2.) the laws must be enforced. It seems the two sides of the debate are not really divided on what need to be done but on where to start. I say it is a waste to attempt to enforce unrealistic laws. If we must choose a priority I choose to revise the laws.

But we must also think of the security risks we take in not policing our borders. And to that end I say continue to increase our presence there and do whatever is necessary to secure the border. It must be done. But I see the border security issue and the Mexican immigrant issue as two separate but related problems. Border patrol is primarily a security issue. But the question at hand is about what we should do with those who are here or who will get through in the meantime, primarily an immigration issue.

I fear my lengthiness has made my argument weak and imprecise. I’ll stop here and let you decide.

Can God do anything? (capacity + power = possibility)

Can God do anything? The question came up today. I said, “No, God can only do what is possible.” The following is my first (and very awkward) attempt at explaining my assertion. Lest this sound like mere philosophical gibberish, I want to base my answer on Scripture.[1]

Speaking of a rich man entering the kingdom of heaven, Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Mt. 19:26). From this we learn that there are things beyond the power of man to accomplish. But there is nothing beyond God’s power. He can do all things. Notice, it does not say that God can do the impossible. It says God can do what is impossible to man. All of those things that God can do are possible. All those things that are possible God can do.

It may help to note that the word “possible” here refers to the power, strength or ability a person has to do something. So, what is in the realm of possibility is not contingent on the thing being done but on the person doing it, whether he has to ability. With that in mind, to say that God can do the impossible is nonsense. The fact that He can do it makes it possible.

The first image that comes to mind is that of a father and son. There is so much the adult father can do that his young son cannot. Or think of a computer nerd and a body builder. The computer nerd cannot bench press half as much as the body builder. The body builder doesn’t know the first thing about writing an operating code. This illustrates the difference between actual and potential possibilities. The son has the potential to grow up and do all the things his dad can do, and maybe more. The body builder can learn computer code. The nerd can start strength training. Of course, no one actualizes human possibility. In other words, no one human has or could accomplish all that humans have or can do (at least not in one lifetime).

Though humans do share in some of the attributes of God (reason, will, emotion, etc.), we do not bear these attributes infinitely as God does. His power in every aspect is greater. We can be like him in many respects but in our finitude never match his power. With God the possibilities are endless because His power is endless. There’s only so much man can do in his limited power.

It is like a bird and a fish. They both eat. They breathe. They have offspring. They have some similarities. But a bird cannot swim. A fish cannot fly. It is against their natures, outside the realm of possibility. This illustrates the difference between power and capacity.

Capacity encompasses all those things you can do. Power is the degree to which you do them. God and man have the capacity to love. Only God has the power of everlasting love. Both God and man have the capacity to think. Only God can know all things.[2]

God’s power is greater. But His capacities are different too. Though both can think, only man can be mistaken. Both God and man have the capacity to make choices. Only man can choose evil.

The point I am making is that if possibility is contingent on the person’s ability, then his capacity (nature) and power govern what is possible for Him. Therefore, God can only do what He is able to do, that which is in accordance with His nature and power.

ability = capacity + power = possibility

[1] Of course, philosophy is a noble enterprise. The philosopher is a lover of wisdom, which Solomon admonishes us to pursue above all else. And if Christ is the Logos, then logic, the chief tool of philosophy, is paramount in pursuing wisdom. Therefore, philosophy should not be discounted but rather employed toward understanding. Colossians 2:8 says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” I do not want to buy into or propagate any hollow or deceptive philosophies. But we must realize what makes them so: faulty premises (human tradition/principles of this world). I am confident that using Scripture as a premise (and test) we can reason as to what the truth is on any matter that Scripture speaks to. This reasoning from the Scriptures is formally called Theology, what I attempt here, albeit on a very basic level.

[2] I must admit my complete lack of formal philosophical training. I am sure there are technical terms to be using here. I may be using the right ones in the wrong ways. Please bear with me.

It's Hot!

So upon first walking outside today (around 2pm) my first thought was, Wow, the mountains are beautiful today.Then I got in my car. I thought to myself, it's really hot; it feels life summer, how disgusting! I drove through my neighborhood and noticed a guy mowing the lawn. It reminded me that I had smelled the orange blossoms in the air last night when I got home. Then it struck me: allergy season! By the time I got I pulled into Office Depot I had noticed everyone in Redlands apparently got the memo (looked outside before choosing their clothes) and was wearing shorts and summer clothes. I wanted to go home and change into MY shorts. Pulling onto the freeway on my way to work I notice the smog rolling in and realized the beauty of the mountains would be veiled soon.