Should the Church protect all those who come to its protection, including illegal immigrants or should it abide by the law and turn them over?
These were the questions posed on the Church right after illegal immigrant Francisco Sanchez fatally shot medical saleswoman Kate Steinle.
During a debate on "Fox and Friends Weekend," Pastor Robert Jeffress and Dr. Richard Land offered their views on the fact that places of worship in at least 23 states in the United States, including Washington D.C. are offering sanctuary for illegal immigrants.
"We're not going to check the immigration status of people who attend our church, but we're also not going to harbour illegal immigrants who are criminals like some of these churches are doing," Jeffress said.
He said many "liberal churches" offer protection and sanctuary to illegal immigrants, believing that they are carrying out God's work and following the example of Jesus, but sometimes people make mistakes.
"The only problem is they are following the Jesus of their imagination, rather than the Jesus of the Bible," Jeffress said, adding that the United States needs to secure its border and be stricter when it comes to the enforcement of immigration laws.
For his part, Land said religious leaders should take no part in aiding and abetting criminals.
However, he said he cannot blame them for offering some form of relief when people show up at the church seeking food or water, or asking for guidance.
"Christ says this is a place where you're going to get a cup of cold water, where you're going to get some shelter, where you're going to get some hot food," Land said. "And it's not our job to be asking for green cards before we extend the mercy of Christ."
