Why I Am Not Anti-Semitic

Or: Why I am Pro-Israel.

Antisemitism is defined as hostility towards or prejudice against Jewish people. The last 2000 years are replete with those who would ridicule, mock, and ultimately persecute and commit violence against the Jewish people. 

It has at times manifested as an attitude that Jewish people are an inferior race. Maybe it is a hatred for Judaism as a religion. Or maybe those components are intertwined. It will also manifest through harmful stereotypes and the implication of conspiracies. The conspiracies often revolve around the idea that Jews are seizing power/money or that they are undermining national sovereignty of a particular country. 

Antisemitism today has expressed itself lately through the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Charlie Kirk assassination. For a while now, the political left and many adherents to Islamic beliefs have nurtured a hatred toward Jews. Historically there have been very real attempts to kill all Jews.

I am writing today because it seems that many Christians are buying into the antisemitism as well. It seems a number of conservative influencers today are starting to propagate this harmful and anti-biblical ideology. (May I pause here to say that if someone insists on using profanity to emphasize their theological perspective, you should not get your theology from them regardless of how much they "advocate" on behalf of Jesus.)

If you are seriously wanting to explore this issue... read on.

Here are some incorrect ideas and how they use passages of scripture incorrectly to advocate against what they often call "Zionism" (a term to describe those who believe Israel should be a self-governing nation in the land given to them by God in the Old Testament):

1. Assertion: Replacement Theology. This is the idea that Christians are the new Israel/God's people. To some extent this is true [spiritually], but to some extent it is not true [in every other way]. They will quote from Romans 9:6-7 "For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, [7] and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring..." What they fail to acknowledge is that Paul is making an argument for salvation by faith (not by law or ancestry). Romans 9:30-33 "What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; [31] but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. [32] Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, [33] as it is written, 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.'"

And then Paul says in Romans 10:1 "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them [Jews] is that they may be saved... [verse 4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Paul is addressing their spiritual salvation. No Christian can or does argue that Jews will all be saved simply because they are Jews. Verses 12 & 13 "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. [13] For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Paul is not being antisemitic, but he is not being anti-Gentile. His argument is that because of what Jesus has done, anyone (Jew or Greek) can be saved!

Correction: God has not rejected His people. Romans 11:1-2 "I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew." Paul communicates to the church in Rome that some Jewish people were hardened and resistant toward Jesus as the Messiah, but this actually made allowance for all people to be part of the spiritual promise of salvation. (Romans 11:11-12). "If their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!"

Then in verses 17-24 Paul says (emphasis added) "But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, [18] do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. [19] Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” [20] That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. [21] For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. [22] Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. [23] And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree."

Paul continues in verses 25-31 "Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. [26] And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; [27] “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.'

[28] As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. [29] For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. [30] For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy." In other words, there are certain components to God's relationship with Israel that have not changed. This is not to imply salvation apart from Jesus, but that God has his eye on the Jewish people in a special and unique way. Paul's emphasis is not on the land, but on the salvation of God's chosen people. This doesn't mean that the land is insignificant as it is part of the covenant with Abraham, it just means that it isn't nearly as important as their spiritual condition.

2. Assertion: Modern Israel is a "secular state" that does not have many Jews from the lineage of Abraham. The question asked is whether Judaism is a genetic or religious reality? Some people critique the idea that modern Isarel would be able to claim the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant in terms of the geographical land they now possess.

Correction: God's promise to Abraham is an everlasting possession. God tells Abraham in Genesis 17:8 "The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God." While there have been times God has disciplined his people through empires and nations of the time (Babylon, Assyria, Rome, etc), it never changed the fact that God's promise to Abraham was that his descendants would possess the land. This promise from God is constantly reiterated throughout Genesis and beyond (Genesis 13:15, 15:18, 26:3–4, 28:13–15, 35:12, Exodus 6:8, Psalm 105:8–11, etc).

Ezekiel 36:24 "I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land."

Isaiah 11:11 "In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea."

As far as the idea that not all Jews are direct descendants to Abraham, the Old and New Testament make constant reference to Gentiles who become Jews (proselytes). They are expected to adhere to the same laws and lifestyle, but are incorporated into the life of Israel. For example, in Exodus 12:38-49 the fact that not only Jews left slavery in Egypt, but there was a "mixed multitude" highlighted the need for there to be some Gentiles assimilated into Judaism. God gives direction for this in verses 48-49. Specific examples of individual include Ruth the Moabite, Rahab the Canaanite, Uriah the Hittite, in addition to a number of references to "God-fearers" or proselytes in Acts 10:2; 13:16, 43, 50; 17:4, 17. Judaism is definitely different than Christianity in terms of incorporating non adherents into the faith, but the reality is that Judaism does incorporate those who are both descendants of Abraham as well as those who have entered into the covenant. Is Judaism a religion or an ethnicity? It is both.

Here are four compelling arguments for support of Israel as an autonomous nation.

1. Biblical Argument. I have tried to at least outline that above. The argument simply is that the Bible gives reason for us to recognize and bless the nation of Israel.

2. Historical Argument. Israel has historically possessed and inhabited the land they are now in for literally thousands of years. Archeological history supports the Biblical account of Israel's consistent ownership of the land. Even when they were dispossessed or under foreign rule, there is still occupancy of the land. Not only that, but there is no recorded autonomous nation that existed on the land of present day Israel.

3. Political Argument. During the time period of the World Wars the nations of the world began realizing the need for a nation where Jews could be autonomous and self governing. After various nations began to encourage the migration of Jews to the land (then under British control), the United Nations endorsed a plan to create a Jewish state in 1947.

4. Moral Argument. In light of centuries of persecution borne of antisemitism, Israel is life boat for Jews today. While many Muslim nations and other antisemitic groups continue to chant, protest, and work toward the eradication of Jews, the United States of America as well as other world powers have a moral obligation to help prevent the genocide so many others plot and dream of. 

In Summary:

1. Support of Israel's existence does not mean you have to support every moral position of their government. It actually means you are standing against the moral evil of erradicating Jews.

2. Support of Israel and Judaism does not mean you believe Jews are "automatically" going to Heaven apart form salvation in Jesus Christ. It actually means that you believe they still have a role in history and God will graciously give them an opportunity to recognize Jesus as Messiah.

3. Support of Israel is seeking to bless the people who God seeks to bless.

4. Support of Israel is firmly Christian and biblical position as it is a continuing fulfilment of God's covenant to Abraham.



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