Learning hospitality again: Christianity, migration and biblical hospitality

with Alex Chow

Most of us overlook how migration and diversity have shaped British Christianity and society — but what if you could see the profound spiritual and cultural riches they bring? In this workshop, theologian Alex Chow, based at Edinburgh University and author of Chinese Heritage in British Christianity, uncovers the surprising ways migration fuels renewal, challenges stereotypes, and transforms worship in the UK today.

References:
• “The 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)
• In Luke 10:25–37, a teacher of the law asks Jesus “who is my neighbour”? Jesus responds with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
• In Luke 10:36–37, Jesus asks “which of these three proved to be a neighbour”? The neighbour was the one who showed mercy. Jesus responds, “Go and do likewise.”
• Abraham is blessed to become a nation to bless other nations (Genesis 12:1–8).
• The risen Christ commissions his disciples to testify the Gospel to all nations (Matthews 28:19–20).
• The book of Acts starts in the centre of the Jewish world in Jerusalem (Acts 1) to a “Christian” identity (Acts 11:26) at the centre of the Gentile world in Rome (Acts 28).
• The multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language together worship the Lamb of God (Revelation 7:9).

About the speaker

Professor Alex Chow is Co‑Director of the Centre for the Study of World Christianity at the University of Edinburgh. He has authored and edited multiple influential books, including Chinese Public Theology (Oxford University Press) and Chinese Heritage in British Christianity (SCM Press).