Pickens, Donald K

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Solidarity: The Journal ofCatholic Social Thought andSecular EthicsVolume 3 | Issue 1 Article 112013Book Note: Our God is UndocumentedDonald K. PickensUniversity of North Texas, dpickens@unt.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://researchonline.nd.edu.au/solidarityISSN: 1839-0366COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIACopyright Regulations 1969WARNINGThis material has been copied and communicated to you by or on behalf of the University of Notre Dame Australia pursuant to partVB of the Copyright Act 1969 (the Act).The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further copying or communication of this materialby you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act.Do not remove this notice.This Other is brought to you by ResearchOnline@ND. It has been acceptedfor inclusion in Solidarity: The Journal of Catholic Social Thought andSecular Ethics by an authorized administrator of ResearchOnline@ND. Formore information, please contact researchonline@nd.edu.au.Recommended CitationPickens, Donald K. (2013) "Book Note: Our God is Undocumented," Solidarity: The Journal of Catholic Social Thought and SecularEthics: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 11.Available at: http://researchonline.nd.edu.au/solidarity/vol3/iss1/11Book Note: Our God is UndocumentedThis other is available in Solidarity: The Journal of Catholic Social Thought and Secular Ethics: http://researchonline.nd.edu.au/solidarity/vol3/iss1/11108  Our God is Undocumented Donald K. Pickens  Ched Myers and Matthew Colwell, Our God is Undocumented, Biblical Faith and Immigrant Justice, Maryknoll, New York, Orbis Books, 2012, 228 pages, paperback $24.00   On page 91 of this powerful little book, Myers, an advocate for immigration reform, and Colwell, a Presbyterian minister, write about the trialectic “relationship of God’s relationship to human beings. First, God moves between the universal and the scandal of particularity; secondly, He cares for all peoples; and thirdly, the God of Israel names a peculiar people” for the massive task to redeem the world on behalf of all folk, especially the poor and outcast. A Christian should never assume an easy pew in his worship of a loving but judging God.   In Our God, the authors blend chapters of individuals who toil on behalf of the immigrants and various organizations engaged in changing public policies and private perceptions—in a Biblical context. Their method is effective.  Clearly reflecting the Christian injunction to live in the world but not be of the world, the text moves from the hard realities of the world to the scholarly “unpacking” of Scripture on behalf of understanding and helping the immigrant poor. The Scripture index aids the reader to understand how words from long ago have an immediate significance and impact in today’s world. Among its many attributes Scripture teaches the reader a theology of welcome and unity. If Scripture is true (and I believe it is), then people and nations ignore the lessons at their own peril. Fortunately, God has no boundaries to His love and forgiveness. Mankind has the Blessed Sacraments.  The task of combining Christian love and public policy into a just order is a hard one for humans. As this book makes clear, the “road blocks” are many and are often supported by sin and ignorance. Our God is Undocumented makes clear how Christian individuals and institutions are strong when unity of action and thought are present and moved by the Holy Spirit.  1Pickens: Our God is UndocumentedPublished by ResearchOnline@ND, 2013

Book Note: Our God is Undocumented

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Book Note: Our God is Undocumented

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