Divine Impartiality as an Ethical Paradigm: Rethinking Migration, Ethnoreligious Discrimination, and Global Inequality in Biblical-Theological Perspective

This paper advances a biblical-theological framework for understanding and addressing contemporary global injustices related to migration, ethnoreligious discrimination, and economic inequality. Drawing on Deuteronomy 10:17–19, Leviticus 19:15, and James 2:1–9, it articulates the concept of divine impartiality as a coherent ethical paradigm, both descriptive of God’s character and prescriptive for human social conduct. Through an interdisciplinary lens integrating structural inequality theory, postcolonial critique, and public theology, the study demonstrates how contemporary systems—migration governance, legal institutions, and economic structures—often operate on principles of partiality, privileging the wealthy, powerful, or majority identities. In contrast, divine impartiality mandates active justice, equal dignity, and moral accountability for all, including the vulnerable, marginalized, and “stranger.” The article contributes theoretically, theologically, and contextually by: Offering divine impartiality as a unifying analytical framework for understanding structural discrimination. Systematically synthesizing biblical texts to reconstruct normative ethics grounded in scripture. Providing a Global South perspective that critiques asymmetrical North–South power relations while affirming ethical reconfiguration of governance, migration, and economic engagement. By situating theological insights within global debates, the paper demonstrates the relevance of biblical ethics for public discourse, migration policy, and inclusive social structures. It is intended for scholars, policymakers, theologians, and practitioners seeking to integrate moral, religious, and ethical perspectives into the pursuit of justice, equity, and inclusive coexistence. Keywords: divine impartiality, migration ethics, ethnoreligious discrimination, structural inequality, biblical theology, global justice, public theology, Global South perspective