In the Shadow of Anti-Semitism

Celebrating Attacks

Nearly two years ago (2018 at the time of this writing), on a quiet Saturday that began like any other, a Jewish massacre occurred in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Robert Bowers barged into the Tree of Life Synagogue and launched a spray of gunfire, slaughtering 11 men and women and wounding six.

About two months ago in Monsey, New York, five Jewish people were stabbed when a man with a machete broke into a house where a Hanukkah party was in progress.
A few weeks before that, two assailants went on a prolonged shooting spree inside a Jersey City, New Jersey, kosher market. Three people were killed.

All three of these attacks were targeted against the Jewish community.

Though outrage and sympathy poured in from all sectors of society in the aftermath of the Pittsburgh attack, there was an undercurrent of anti-Semitism beginning to bubble up from below. I remember seeing this evil underbelly in the comments sections of assorted websites carrying the story. Though the wording varied, the basic thought was the same: These arrogant and pompous snobs who regard themselves as “the Chosen People” got exactly what they deserved.

There were many disturbing comments along these lines, with the identity of the authors of the vitriol safely concealed by a clever avatar and username. But what wasn’t concealed was the shameless, overt, and almost proud contempt harbored against the Jewish people. Make no mistake, the shadow of anti-Semitism looms large in the West, and is growing ever larger.

An Ancient Enmity for the Jews Outside the Church

Enmity for the Jewish people has existed for thousands of years, going back to ancient Israel. Even then Israel’s neighbors wanted to wipe the Hebrews off the face of the earth. Today, religious and secular anti-Semitism can be found in the BDS Movement. BDS stands for “Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions,” and is aimed against the nation of Israel for its alleged ill-treatment of the Palestinians. BDS advocates seek to portray Israel as the bully whose objective is to oppress the Palestinian people.

The BDS movement is a pet cause of social-justice warriors who seek to end what they regard as injustice. But the BDS movement is rooted in anti-Semitic attitudes, and it conveniently turns a blind eye toward the leaders of the various Palestinian political factions which stand resolutely on the platform of seeking the complete and utter destruction of Israel. They have no real interest in equal justice – nor are they interested in sharing land with Israel. They want it all.

Resentment Toward Jews From Within the Church

Within the realm of historic Christianity, it is undeniable that much good came from the Reformation. Sadly, however, and unknown to many today, the biased theology of the Reformed Church regarding the Jewish people has contributed to anti-Semitism within a sizeable segment of Christendom. One example is Martin Luther’s latter writings. As a young man, Luther enthusiastically sought to reach the Jewish people for Christ, but after years of fruitless evangelism, he radically turned against them.

In his 65,000-word anti-Semitic treatise, On the Jews and Their Lies, Luther argued that Jewish synagogues and schools should be set on fire, their prayer books should be destroyed, rabbis should be forbidden to preach, Jewish homes should be burned, and their property and money confiscated. Furthermore, he described the Jews as a “base, whoring people, that is, no people of God, and their boast of lineage, circumcision, and law must be accounted as filth.”

Though not to such flagrant and violent degrees, resentment of the Jews still festers in some Reformed quarters.

While there are many fine examples of godly individuals and churches within Reformed circles that disavow all forms of anti-Semitism, there are many who take the unbiblical position that God has forsaken the Jewish people due to their rejection of Christ, and has transferred Israel’s God-given blessings to the Church. (Yet, ironically, they also believe Israel retains the curses pronounced against them.) This is a dangerous position which is confirmed by the fact that so many mainline religious denominations live in the shadows of anti-Semitism under the mask of anti-Zionism or anti-Israelism as a direct result of their flawed understanding of God’s prophetic plan and His promises to Israel in Scripture.

While many believers – leaders and laymen alike – are not aware of these unbiblical positions deeply rooted within traditional reformed theology, they are nonetheless a reality.

The Real Reason for Jewish Resentment and Anti-Semitism

The Jewish people are still God’s Chosen People. A simple and unbiased reading of Romans Chapters 9 through 11 leads to no other conclusion.

However, according to 1 Peter 2:9, the Church – Christians – are also God’s Chosen People. How can both be “chosen”? Simple. God has ordained both; but they clearly have two distinct purposes. The Church is to proclaim to the unsaved world that Jesus is the Lord and Savior. The Jewish people – by their very existence and the as-yet-unfulfilled promises made to them – are a testimony as to God’s faithfulness, goodness, and truthfulness.
The pages of the Old Testament and portions of the New are filled with as-yet-unfulfilled promises to the Jewish people. God has not transferred these promises to the Church, but has vowed them to the Jewish people, and He will deliver on those vows.

The redemption of the Jewish people and the establishment of Christ’s physical, 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom on the earth at the end of the age are both major components of God’s end-time agenda. In order for these to come to fruition, the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem must exist.

Satan wants to foil God’s plans, and would love to destroy God’s original Chosen People and usurp Jesus Christ’s future throne in the Holy City. So long as this is Satan’s plan, he will continue to sow the seeds of anti-Semitism.

As we draw nearer to the end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ, Satan will ramp up his efforts in a desperate attempt to destroy the Jewish people, thereby thwarting God’s plan for their ultimate redemption. Because of this, the shadow of anti-Semitism will continue to grow.

The recent attacks on the Jewish people here in the U.S. only hint at what may come in the near future. It seems that much more is inevitable.

As believers in the Lord Jesus, we must be faithful to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world – and this includes our Jewish family, friends, and acquaintances. They too desperately need to hear this soul-saving truth!