The term "comprehensive legislation" is not code for amnesty, no matter what my critics contend. Webster defines amnesty as the "act of an authority (as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals." Amnesty is wiping a transgressor's record clean -- it is a free ride.

Proper reform should consist of a "guest-worker" program that requires an illegal immigrant to undergo a criminal background check, pay a fine, agree to pay back taxes, learn English and get in line behind those who have legally migrated into this country in order to apply for permanent residence after a probationary period of years. Amnesty? Hardly.

To call any proposed requirement -- that individuals must learn to read and write and speak English and go through a rigorous process in order to earn their way out of a lengthy period of "probation" in order to apply for legal status -- "amnesty" is to do violence to the English language.

One must not only learn how to read, write and speak English properly; one must use the language as it was intended. Words have agreed upon meanings. One cannot change the meanings of words arbitrarily. Penalties, probation, and requirements do not equal "amnesty."

My position and the position of most Southern Baptists with whom I have spoken on this issue embraces the thought that if these immigrants choose to travel on a "path of legal status and/or citizenship," it must include certain financial, time, and other requirements. Amnesty? Hardly. [   ]

While the government focuses on enforcing the law, Christians are mandated to forgive and to act redemptively within their communities toward all people, including illegal immigrants. As citizens of the Lord's heavenly Kingdom, we have a divine mandate to respond compassionately toward those who are in need. [  ]

I was asked by a USA Today reporter following that press conference if my position on this issue was not somewhat ahead of where "some" of the people in the pew were. I agreed that I might be "a little bit ahead" of where some Southern Baptists are vis-à-vis this issue, but I noted voting messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention adopted the resolution on the immigration crisis with near unanimity and with no debate.

For the record, I did not say, and did not acknowledge, that I was "a little bit ahead" of where the convention was. In fact, I was at the press conference representing what the convention had said on the issue.