5 Ways Christians Should Be Responding To Antisemitism
Five Ways Christians Should Be Responding to Antisemitism
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17, ESV)
DON’T ASSUME YOU UNDERSTAND IT
Christians often have misconceptions about Jewish people because they don’t take the time to get to know them. Before assuming we understand how antisemitism affects them, we should talk with our Jewish friends about their beliefs, their history, their experiences with Christians, and the effects of antisemitism on their families. Only when we understand how antisemitism affects our Jewish friends will we truly care.
STOP TOLERATING IT
We must not tolerate any form of antisemitism or its antecedents within the church. Beliefs that Judaism is legalistic, Jews are spiritually blind, and “Jews killed Jesus” all fuel negative attitudes that serve as the bedrock for Christian antisemitism. Furthermore, Christians cannot embrace anti-biblical ideologies, including anti-zionism (hatred of Israel), replacement theology (the belief that the Church has replaced Israel), Jewish roots (The kind of ideology that makes Christians claim to be Jews. However, it’s worth noting that not all Jewish roots teaching is like this.), or any other ideology that degrades and downgrades the identity of Israel and the Jewish people. Furthermore, antisemitic tropes, conspiracy theories, and derogatory expressions about the Jewish people and Israel should never be found upon the lips of Christians.
ACKNOWLEDGE OUR PART IN IT
Jewish statesman Benjamin Disraeli said, “The Jews are a nervous people. Nineteen centuries of Christian love have taken a toll.” One does not have to go far to read about the countless instances of hatred committed against the Jewish community in the name of Christianity. From second century church fathers to modern pastors, church leaders have breathed venomous claims about the Jewish people that have led to pogroms, mass murders, and even the Holocaust. It is difficult for our concern over antisemitism to be taken seriously without our acknowledgment of the Jewish blood on our collective hands.
COMFORT IN THE MIDST OF IT
The 40th chapter of Isaiah contains a clear message and appropriate posture for Christians to take in a time of increased antisemitism. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem…” Don’t those who truly care for a struggling friend place a hand on their shoulder and speak words of hope to them? Don’t those with real concern show up in their friends’ hour of need to provide support and encouragement? Don’t true friends seek to provide relief and help lighten the burden of those they care for? This should be our response to our dear Jewish friends who feel increasingly unsafe and insecure.
SPEAK UP WHEN YOU SEE IT
Most Christians have a Jewish friend, co-worker, or in-law. Yet we are strangely silent about antisemitism. Most of us have seen an antisemitic post on social media, heard someone use an antisemitic trope or conspiracy theory, and have again remained silent. Our silence doesn’t pair well with Christian claims to “stand with Israel,” “bless Israel,” and “love Jewish people.” Our convictions concerning Jewish people and antisemitism need to go beyond rhetoric and must find expression outside of our church buildings.