Posted on 04/05/2020 8:44:51 AM PDT by Kaslin
Editor's Note: This column was co-authored by Michael Brown.
In the midst of the global Coronavirus pandemic, as we all pray and guard our behaviors in order to ensure the health and safety of ourselves and of our neighbors to prevent its spreading, noted anti-Semitic “Christian pastor” and “broadcaster” Rick Wiles has proven that while there will be a cure for Coronavirus, there is no cure for the older and no less deadly virus of Jew-hatred.
Most recently, Wiles said that the Coronavirus is spreading via synagogues and is a punishment from God. “Stay out of those things, there’s a plague in them. God’s dealing with false religions,” he said in a broadcast on his network that’s become one of the leading propagators of anti-Semitism. “God’s dealing with people who oppose his son, Jesus Christ. He’s dealing with the forces of Antichrist. And there’s a plague moving upon the earth right now, and the people that are going into the synagogues are coming out of the synagogues with the virus.”
Also blaming Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Jewish organizations Wiles said, “Let me tell you Mr. Netanyahu, God is spreading it in your synagogues. You’re under judgment because you oppose his son, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Wiles’ recent comments are not unique. One might say he’s never met, or invented, an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that he didn’t like. He’s gone so far as to blame the fumbled Iowa caucus results earlier this year on “the Jews.”
Before the outbreak of the deadly virus, Wiles demonstrated the unique and paradoxical ability of being an anti-Semitic political contortionist, blaming “the Jews” for controlling both the political right and the political left. One glaring example is his blaming “the Jews” for the failure of the app that was used to count Iowa caucus votes, with the contradiction that “the Jews” also wanted to promote the success of openly gay, former presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg. That these are in open contradiction (the failure of the app that was used to promote a candidacy of someone who did well in Iowa) demonstrates how Wiles has found a way to make his anti-Semitic cake and eat it too, with a cherry on top.
And of course, he perpetuates the baseless claim embraced by anti-Semitic adherents of replacement theology over the millennia, that “the Jews” killed Jesus, ultimately meaning that all Jews through all generations are responsible for the death of Jesus. With Easter coming, the time when Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, calling out “Pastor Wiles” has never been more timely or critical, as he, quite horrifically, carries out his dangerous incitement in Jesus’ name, the name in which countless anti-Semitic pogroms and murders have taken place. This is the perfect time to renounce such un-Christian madness.
Literally embracing the age-old anti-Semitic blood libel, Wiles claimed that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States “started” in March at AIPAC’s conference in Washington. Perhaps Wiles is simply confused, as the first instances in the United States were reported in Washington state. But this was all the fuel he needed for his conspiratorial theories, and to add insult to injury, he does this all in the name of Jesus, himself a Jew.
Far from promoting any actual sound Christian theology, Wiles has made himself a name with a history of overt anti-Semitic slurs. These include blaming the “Jewish mafia,” the “Jewish lobby,” calling Jews “deceivers,” and Jews as both domestic and foreign “enemies.” In November, Wiles infamously called the effort to impeach U.S. President Donald Trump a “Jew coup.”
As an Orthodox Israeli Jew and a Messianic Evangelical Jew, respectively, there’s a lot about which we disagree. But the points about which we do agree are important to highlight. Combating anti-Semitism is one of these. In short, Rick Wiles twists the Bible and does so in ways that are deceitful, hateful, and dangerous. In ignoring God’s mandate in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you,” Wiles treacherously substitutes his perverse theology for biblical truth, in the process, borrowing concepts from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Mein Kampf, and other hateful anti-Semitic screeds.
According to Wiles, “The Jews” are guilty. Always. If there’s a crisis in the world, blame “the Jews.” And during a time of great fear and apprehension, with millions of lives hanging in the balance, Wiles’ rhetoric is all the more despicable. Directly and indirectly, he potentially incites violence.
It is true, of course, that Christians want all non-Christians to accept Jesus as Savior. But by singling out Judaism as the preeminent “false religion,” calling Jews the anti-Christ and designating all Jews “the synagogue of Satan,” along with singling out synagogues as the only houses of worship in which there is a plague, Wiles is, by definition, anti-Semitic.
That’s why he can conveniently ignore the churches and mosques in which many of their worshipers have been infected, as well as look the other way when Christian pastors die of the virus. It is ‘the evil Jews’ who are being judged by God.
We call upon all people of faith to join us in denouncing Wiles’ words, condemning his anti-Semitism, and joining us as Jews and Christians in standing against this incitement. We call upon all people of faith to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, rejecting a baseless theology that is the polar opposite of what God expects of all of us, beginning in the Beginning.
Join us, then, in standing together and speaking out, Jews and Christians, united against the enemies of Israel, among which Wiles has set himself out as a dangerous leader.
We pray that there will be a cure and healing from the the Coronavirus, and that God will heal the hearts of people like Rick Wiles who spread a virus no less insipid, Jew hatred plain and simple.
OK, OK, OK. I hereby denounce Rock Wiles. But where do they FIND such unappetizing, unheard-of pangolins?
The article has two authors. One is an Orthodox Jew, the other a Messianic Jew. Michael Brown is a Messiaic Jew who is also Pentecostal I believe.
And if you call them on it you’re anti Semite
“This article is total baloney.”
You’re as confused as the article’s author and perhaps as bigoted as the man he writes about.
It seems to me that one can be a Jew and believe in Jesus as the Messiah and one's personal savior. All of the writers of the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) were Jewish. Most of the first Christians were Jews, and that remained the case for decades following the crucifixion of Jesus. There are several Messianic Jewish synagogues in my area.
I don’t think Luke was a Jew.
Ibtz
He is a hate filled bigot, pray he finds the truth of Yeshua.
That’s because you dont hang out with the anti semitic fools that claim to be Christians but show by their actions they never knew Christ.
For some reason they love microphones though.
They also cannot comprehend Roman’s 10 and 11, or have never read it.
Christian’s are their only friends, but many wear the label on an empty suit.
I have never before heard of this man. He sounds like he is a bit crazy.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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I take issue with the headline, the entire article is about Rick Wiles who in no way speaks for Christians. He seems to be more of a media person, formerly with MSNBC, CNN, Christian Broadcasting and Trinity Broadcasting, there's not much in his few bios to suggest any religious training or affiliation with recognized Christian denominations. He's the Pastor of a church in Florida, runs a successful website, and has been credentialed by the White House. Which doesn't make him a spokesman for Christians.
"One can", which is not the same thing as "one MUST"
St. Paul respected Jews even as he rejected the Judaizers.
As I respect Jews. I did not say one must. I was answering a post that stated one could not be a Jew and a Christ worshipper. I disagree
Correct. But plenty of the reverse is out there.
Well, the Nazarenes I’ve met in Israel were always very nice and good people. I used to work as a tour guide in Arab-controlled areas and got to know them well.
Generally speaking, Israel likes them.
The exception are the Satmars (also in Lakewood NJ) and NKs, both groups hate all other Jews.
True, 98% of Orthodox Jews are anti-Christian.
The term Messianic Jew (you forgot to capitalize - some bias there perhaps) is self explanatory.
Orthodox Jews accept the Torah and its commentaries as their only religious input.
False. Like all religions, Judaism has become corrupted. In its case, supplemented by oral teachings. If only Orthodox Jews omitted the leaven and did follow the Torah to the letter.
Messyonics believe that you can be a Jew AND believe in J.C. Actual Jews (not Messyonics, who are cult members) recite prayers every single day declaring that there is only one G-d that they worship. The Christian religions have G-d and J.C.
Yeshua is the son of God. Some Christian religions (maybe most) attempt to make them one in the same to get around the above. A literal reading of the scriptures lays is out perfectly.
This article is total baloney.
No, it's not "total" baloney. As someone who once supported Wiles, I do denounce Wiles for reducing Jewish/Christian religious differences to emotional, sometimes outrageous, soundbites. Wile's knowledge of the Bible is superficial. After I realized this, I pretty much stopped listening to him.
If Wiles said this, then Wiles is failing to follow Christ's first command to love one another.
Protestant Christians need more pastors who align their message in the style of Billy Graham and not Rick Wiles. And Catholics, what's with Pope Francis?
Not directed at you, but It surprises me how little real knowledge of scripture many of today's Jews have - just my observation - and I can say the same about many of today's Christians.
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