Posted on 05/09/2002 12:05:23 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
There's a rise in anti-Semitism around the world.
We see it rearing its ugly head again in Europe. And we see it even more clearly in the loathsome rhetoric and unspeakable, self-destructive violence in the Middle East.
My theory about the roots of anti-Semitism is quite simple. It is manifest in those in rebellion against the God of the Bible.
Why would those at war with God hate Jews? Because the Jews are the recipients of a unique promise made by God. They are the chosen people – chosen not because they are a superior people, but because they were a downtrodden people whose miraculous accomplishments and longevity could serve only to glorify the God responsible for them. If this people could be destroyed – or even marginalized to the point of irrelevance in the world – then God Himself would, in effect, be defeated, dethroned, delegitimized.
That's my theory.
But what about the apparent rise in anti-Semitism from people who are not at war with the God of the Bible – people who claim to be followers of that God?
Last week, WorldNetDaily published a disturbing story of vile anti-Semitism by Arab "Christian" clergymen.
Some of those quoted called for a new crusade against the Jews. Others called the Jews "Satanic." Still others cited the bogus "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" as the sourcebook for their hatred.
Why are at least some Arab Christians – including men in leadership positions – adopting the anti-Jewish rhetoric of the most extreme Islamists?
I can think of a few reasons for this puzzling phenomenon:
This last reason for the seething anti-Semitism of some "Christian" Arabs may sound harsh, judgmental, even condemnatory. Maybe so. But my words are true.
Though none of us can judge another's heart, we are commanded to "know them by their fruit."
What kind of fruit does vicious anti-Semitism produce? Bad fruit. Rotten fruit. Deadly fruit.
I think this lesson applies equally to those so-called "Christians" in the West who show their anti-Semitic colors. These people, too, are indeed in rebellion against God. They do not serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They are serving a different god or gods.
Anti-Semitism is by definition anti-Christian. Christians serve the God of the Hebrews. The Christians' God chose the Jews as His people and made a special covenant with them. Their Savior came to earth as a Jew. Most of the early church was comprised of Jews.
"Anti-Jewish Christian" is thus an oxymoron.
The good news for Christians and Jews is that the vast majority of Christians – particularly those in the West – are instinctively, intuitively and reflexively supporters of Israel and the Jewish desire for a homeland safe and secure from attacks by the haters. In fact, though it hasn't always been true, the church today is the Jews' greatest ally in the world.
There have always been evil deeds committed in the name of Christianity. There have always been wolves in sheeps' clothing. There have always been haters posing as the pure in heart.
But God is still on the throne. His promises are indeed forever. He's got a plan and the Jews are part of it.
And that's what really bugs the anti-Semites.
For the record:
-anti-Semitism is a sin just like racism against any group.
-It is not anti-Semitic to criticise Israel. Even unfair bias against Israel can be based more on self-interest or liberal politics than any bias against Jews themselves.
-The accusation of anti-Semitism does get made too often without justification.
-Anti-Semites like to pretend those 2 facts make real anti-Semitism hard to identify.
--There is disagreement between Christian religions about the current role of Israel from a Biblical perspective. The more literal the interpretation, the more likely the belief that Israel has not been replaced by a "spiritual Israel".
---No one here will settle that debate. LOL
The real roots of antisemitism are the mythology and theology of Christianity which accuses the Jews of rejecting God's son and killing him; and that the Jews all go to Hell because of their non-belief in the diety of Jesus.
No other religion on earth accuses another of killing their God.
The real root of anti-semitism lies in jealousy engendered by Satan.
Christians don't hate Jews; they love them. The first Christian martyr Stephen prayed that the Jews who stoned him not be held accountable for his death. Christ's own words on the cross were "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
Contrast this love with the jealousy and hatred of Muslim terrorists who consider ripping innocent Jewish civilian women and children limb from limb to be an act of worship.
You might want to rethink your position. The Muslims' antisemitism has nothing whatsoever to do with Christ's death.
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