By Olivier Melnick
Shalom in Messiah Ministries
Depending on who you ask, the answer can either be yes or no…It’s complicated! But it doesn’t have to be. I have witnessed people getting very emotional over that very topic. I have seen people get judgmental, verbally abusive and divisive to validate their position on either side of that fence.
People do not have to agree on everything, but there must be clarity between them when specific words are used. So first, two words must be defined: Christian and antisemitism, and then, three questions must be posed: Are Christians perfect? Are the Jewish people without fault? Does criticism of Israel and the Jewish people always constitute antisemitic rhetoric? Some of it might sound very basic and possibly even condescending to some of our audience, but remember that clarity is the goal here. Click here to continue reading.
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Jennifer,
Just so there is no mistake about it: Mr. Melnick in no way is giving a pass to antisemitism. After all, his entire ministry is to fight antisemitism. But, the fact is, Christians can be deceived. And perfect doctrine is not a prerequisite for salvation. However, it is indeed hard to believe that a truly born-again believer could be antisemitic, and it is one of the worse and most hideous and ugly deceptions out there. Frankly, it appalls us! We publish the books of three holocaust survivors (one Jewish from Germany, and two Christian resistance workers who ended up in concentration camps), and we can think of few things worse than what antisemitism does. But, we have seen Christian believers become absolutely deceived regarding the Jews and Israel. This much is for sure, their lives will NOT be blessed and will be managed by hate rather than God’s love and His Word. Tragic all around.
Agreed Mr. Brownrigg; I also do not believe that a bible believing/born again Christian can be antisemitic. For God spoke of ‘forever’ when making His covenants and He says, ‘For I am the Lord, I change not.’ Malachi 3:6 that means the God of the Old and the New Testaments are the same, and His promises are true and trustworthy.
Exodus 32:9 states that God referred to his Chosen as stiff-necked people, because they were people flawed and imperfect just like we all are but still ones. Why? Because from the beginning of time, God chose them so that the Messiah would be born through their lineage.
And Satan has been jealous since before the creation of the world, as the lead of fallen angels, sowing hatred and division especially toward the Jewish people. But ‘for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye’ Zachariah 2:8. God provides His protection over them. If Israel ceased to exist to where would Jesus return? They are part of the end of the story.
It really isn’t that hard to understand. We are the ones grafted in and just as stiff-necked! Look at the yuck coming out of Christian churches and educational institutions. Sexual abuse misconduct run amok. God is truly separating the wheat from the tares. Has the church been a good witness to the Jews?
Replacement theology is also ubiquitous, especially in the Catholic Church. The majority of Catholics have a complete lack of understanding of scripture. I know, as I grew up in the Catholic Church attending Catholic school all the way through 12th grade. Not one study or mention of the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob just basic bible stories and checking the boxes for the next ‘sacrament’.
From Genesis to Revelation God does not depart from His promises and His people. There will be a remnant that will proclaim Jesus as Messiah.
Let’s remain steadfast as we look for our blessed hope.
Dear Oliver Melnick,
I have to sadly agree with your summary that it is possible for a true, born again Christian to be anti-Semitic. I say sadly because it was always my position that when the Lord Jesus truly comes into one’s heart, He puts within him a love for God’s people, the Jews, and for Israel.
However, I have a friend who is a true Christian, who loves the Jews, but believes that Israel has lost it – in other words a Replacement Theologian. It seems to me that anti-semitism could be one small step away for those who believe that way.
But let me add, I do not know a true Christian who hates the Jewish people.