Debunking Common Myths and Misconceptions about the Jewish People - Part 1

Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, as well as toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

Some ways this is expressed are the following:

- Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

- Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as a collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government, or other societal institutions.

- Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

- Denying the facts, scope, and mechanisms (e.g., gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).

- Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

- Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel or the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide than to the interests of their own nations.

- Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.

- Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.

- Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.

- Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.

- Holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the state of Israel.

As a local Bible-believing fellowship, we are going to take a firm stand against all forms of antisemitism by tackling the myths and misconceptions about Jews. We will take a look at the ones we've come across, which are making the rounds in and around Christian circles, but before we do so, let's look at a C.A.R.E. approach.

Are we concerned about the Jewish people? There is no judgment or shame here. Just sincerely ask ourselves: As Christians, do we care about the Jewish people? Most of us will immediately answer yes! The next question, then, is how can we respond to antisemitism? We can look at four practical ways here through the acronym C.A.R.E.

C - Commit to What God Chooses.

In Deuteronomy 7, God declares to the Israelites, “I have chosen you to be my own special possession.” This is how the Jewish people came to be known as the “chosen people.” This “chosenness” is not limited to a specific time period that concluded at the cross; it continues perpetually, even today, as seen in Jeremiah 31. The book of Ruth famously recounts the story of Ruth, a Gentile, who leaves her homeland to accompany her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to the Land of Israel. Naomi said to her, “Look, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and her gods. You should do the same.” But Ruth responded, “Don’t urge me to leave you or turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.… May the Lord deal with me ever so severely if anything but death separates us!” Ruth, a non-Jewish woman, was dedicating herself to the God and people of Israel. There was no alternative plan for Ruth, no way out if things went badly. Today, the Christian Church should show similar commitment to the Jewish people! If your reasoning is that "I don't like the type of Jews around today, they are not the biblical Jews of the Bible, they don't believe in Jesus," then bring that to God because such thinking or attitude is incorrect according to both the Old Testament and New Testament and needs to be addressed. Search me, Oh Lord.

A - Align Our Hearts with God’s.

Commitment often begins in the mind. To truly care for the Jewish people, we need a profound heart-based understanding of God’s love for them. The Apostle Paul illustrates this in Romans 9:1-3: “With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them. They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children.” Many Christians are unaware that a key reason Paul wrote to the Roman church was to address the growing anti-Jewish sentiment among the predominantly Gentile Roman believers towards their Jewish counterparts. In a raw and vulnerable statement, Paul exemplifies the deep love Christians should have for Jewish people—even those who have not yet embraced faith in Jesus. Being willing to sacrifice your own eternal salvation for the sake of another group demonstrates the most profound love and care imaginable. Paul fully grasped the unbreakable love God has for the Jewish people and allowed his heart to be filled with that love. If you believe historical and modern myths and misconceptions about Jews, you won't have a genuine love for them. Bring this to God, as such thinking or attitude is incorrect according to both the Old and New Testaments and needs correction. Search me, Oh Lord.

R - Acknowledge Our Triumphalism.

For almost 2,000 years, the dominant theological perspective within the Christian Church has been that it has taken the place of Israel and the Jewish people. When one entity replaces another, it can lead to the belief that it is superior or more significant than the one it replaced. Even for those of us who reject this unbiblical theology, we must acknowledge that our perceptions and feelings towards the Jewish people have been shaped by a triumphalist attitude for generations. Consider how we refer to the first 39 books of the Bible: the Old Testament. Typically, when I consider something "old" versus "new," it is not in a positive context. Our approach to God's teachings in that first Testament is often dismissively labeled as "law," in contrast to the "grace" of the "new" Testament. We often innocently call Jewish people who do not follow Jesus "unbelieving Jews" or refer to a Jewish believer in Jesus as "completed." But what about devout Jewish people who sincerely believe in the God of Israel? Are they considered "incomplete"? Can you see how these seemingly innocent, common Christian expressions can come across as triumphalist? Paul addressed this in his letter to the Roman church: “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you [Gentiles], being like a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among them to share with them the rich root of the olive tree, do not boast over the [broken] branches and exalt yourself at their expense. If you do boast and feel superior, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root that supports you.” Gentile Christians must remember that we have been integrated into Israel’s olive tree. We are the "younger siblings." We have been incorporated into the Jewish narrative through faith in Israel’s Messiah, Jesus. Reflect on this: Is there any part of my heart that harbours arrogance towards Jewish people or Jewish identity? We should pose this question to God weekly, especially with the rise in antisemitism worldwide since October 2023. Ask God to consistently reveal our innocent, hidden triumphalist tendencies. If you are uncomfortable with terms like Israel's Messiah, which are biblically grounded, bring this to God because such thinking or attitudes are incorrect according to both the Old and New Testaments and need correction. Search me, Oh Lord.

E - Educate Others.

Antisemitism has escalated significantly since October 2023. This pervasive issue flourishes when ignored, downplayed, or overlooked. If Christians remain silent against these prejudices, who will speak up? If they don't address the dangers of replacement theologies within the Church, who will? We sincerely hope that Christians worldwide can learn to C.A.R.E. for their Jewish brothers and sisters, following the example of the Ten Boom family. Corrie Ten Boom once said, "You can't love God without loving the Jewish people." Both Paul and Jesus were willing to make significant sacrifices for their Jewish kin. We, as followers of Christ, should do the same. If Corrie Ten Boom's words unsettle you, bring this to God, as this mindset is contrary to the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments and requires correction. Search me, Oh Lord.

Next Blog, we will dive into the top myths and misconceptions about Jews making circles in and around the Christian Church.