Rabbi Stanley

Are Christians Offending Jews on Searchwarp?



Posted: Tuesday, May 05, 2009

by
Mosaic Ministries

Most non-Jews think that anti-Semitism means one who hates the Jews. It conjures up images of the KKK, the Aryan Nations or other White Supremacist groups. But that's not an accurate description. Broadly, anti-Semitism is any remark or ideology that is against any Semitic people. Narrowly, it means any words or thoughts that are directed against the Jewish people. If I was to say for example that one of the Fathers of the Jews, Jacob, was a scoundrel, that would be an anti-Semitic remark just as if I was to say that the first Irishman was a drunk. Even if the first Irishman WAS a drunk (which I doubt) I would have the sense not to say that to an Irishman. However most Christians think it's ok to slam the Jewish Patriarchs or Israel and it's people because they think that's what the Bible teaches (which it does not).

There are Christian doctrines out there which are anti-Semitic in nature. Replacement Theology teaches that that all of the promises that G-d gave to Israel have been taken away and given to the Christians. They disregard the fact that the Bible says these promises are "eternal" and in effect "throughout all your generations". Then these same Theologians are surprised when a Jew says, "Hey, this is an anti-Semitic doctrine". Especially a Jew who is not Born Again. What Jew in their right mind would want to be a part of a faith that is anti-Semitic? Not many. A faith that attacks his patriarch, a faith that negates all his G-d given promises to him and his people, a faith that has persecuted the Jews for thousands of years on the exact same pretext as the one given in Replacement Theology. The only one most Christians have abandoned is the "Christ killer" label and even many Christians still hold that one over us.

Now, you can think that the Jews are just being oversensitive or that I'm being over sensitive but anti-Semitism always starts out subtly. If you look at the history of WWII you'll see it started out slowly and this hatred gave a few Scriptures out of context to support it. Later we see Hitler quoting Martin Luther and Scripture to back up his claims. The Jews are nothing if not aware of history. So is it really so surprising that modern Christianity throws up a few red flags to the average Jew?

Even English translations of the Scripture are full of anti-Semitism. Did you know the King James Version was written during one of the most anti-Semitic times in England? They were in the process of kicking all their Jews out of the country when it was written. Many of the KJV translators were not even Born Again and were not required to be. They were required to be linguist experts, but they were never questioned concerning their faith and some were even known atheists.

So anti-Semitism is anything negative against the Jews. If I say Jews are dogs, that's an anti-Semitic remark. If I say G-d has forsaken the Jews, that is also an anti-Semitic remark. You can't say something like that then tell a Jew, "Oh but I have a Jewish friend". That doesn't make it ok. If you are an Ambassador for Christ, use a little sense as to what you write here, there may be a Jew watching. Don't give them any less sensitivity because you think the Bible backs up your ideology. That would be a shame.

There was a "Christian" here on Searchwarp yesterday who said, "Jews were pigs" (it wasn't even on one of my articles) "who only cared about money". I'm sure your reply would be, "Well, he wasn't a REAL Christian". Think about this... a Jew who does not believe in Jesus doesn't know the difference between a REAL Christian and a FAKE Christian. Christians themselves can't even agree on who a REAL Christian is! So please exercise a little common sense and sensitivity with your "Christian" articles because who knows a Rabbi may be watching.

Rabbi Stanley

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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Phillip Ross 2 years 202 days ago.
5 fans.
Stanley,

I'm interested in hearing your response to my sermon yesterday. God to my Pilgrim Platform site, click on the podcast image/link. The sermon is titled: "Downloading the Upgrade." I'd send you a private message, but I can't find your email address anywhere.
 
Phil
» left by Anonymous 2 years 145 days ago.
I'm what you would call a Gentile Christian I guess. I was taught by my Baptist minister father that the Jews are God's chosen people and that we are, through Jesus' grace, allowed to "ride along" (not a good choice of words I know - those are my words, not my dads) if we believe, confess and follow his teachings. I know anti-semitism exists and I think it's a shame...especially when done by those proclaiming to be Christians. As you said it's hard for a Jew to know what a real Christian is and what a fake one is. Of course, it's hard for anyone to tell anymore what a real Christian is. Too many people are blurring the lines and not acting in ways the Lord would want.
» left by Rabbi Stanley 2 years 145 days ago.
10 fans.
True, many don't know what a real Christian is. That's a good point. I think we need to question ourselves before we say things like "Why can't they see that Jesus was the Messiah?" when they look at the way Christians live and simply think "I don't want to be like them!".
 
Also your outlook at being grafted in is correct. Most Christians have the attitude towards Jewish Believers that Jewish Believers need to conform to their Gentile Christian ways. In fact, it's the opposite, Gentile Christians are the ones grafted into the Jewish root, not the other way around.
 
Thanks for your post.
 
Rabbi Stanley
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