Andrew's paper outlines the biblical and theological reasons why Christians should speak out prophetically on this inhuman policy. This kind of theological thinking has been central to CAP's Living Ghosts campaign.

You can download the paper here. The theology of creation, alienation, community, personhood, sin, reconciliation and the prophetic roles of the church are considered in relation to the problem of enforced destitution among refused asylum seekers in the UK. The biblical basis for the treatment of aliens and 20th century models of persecution are compared and contrasted with current UK practice.

After a brief survey of the problems faced by asylum-seekers, Chapter One considers Torah theology, especially of creation and the gēr, before looking briefly at the differences under Ezra and Nehemiah, compared with Ruth and some of the prophets.

Chapter Two looks at Matthew's and Luke's use of two passages from Isaiah, contrasting their versions of Jesus' mission to the poor and of the messianic banquet, before considering some of Jesus' healing miracles.

Chapter Three reviews the morality of recent British attitudes and concludes that it is wanting, while Chapter Four compares the UK situation with the Nazi Holocaust and with Chile under the Junta, leading to some thoughts on the effects of sin and reconciliation in relation to persecution.

It is concluded that the church must exercise its prophetic function to speak about and serve those who suffer enforced destitution.