Why anti-Semitism is hatred against all nations (not only against Jews)

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Anti-Semitism is more than a racial, cultural and social sickness. It is a spiritual evil, directed against the people whom God has called to play a key role in His plans for bringing the Gospel to the nations. This is what I said in the CNE interview recently about the unique spiritual dimension to the evil of anti-Semitism.

Why anti-Semitism is more than just racism, says this Jewish evangelist Avi Snyder

26-07-2024

In his thoughtful response to my interview, Jack Nassar, a Palestinian Christian, commented that: “We must all stand together against all forms of hatred and discrimination – whether anti-Jewish, anti-Islamic, anti-Christian, or any other kind. Our shared faith calls us to be peacemakers, to build bridges rather than walls, and to uphold the dignity of every person, regardless of their faith or background.” I couldn’t agree with him more.

The Christian as peacemaker? I could not agree with Jack more – Avi Snyder

The issue that I hoped to address in my interview focused on a unique spiritual aspect of the phenomenon of anti-Semitism. While every form of racism and bigotry has a spiritual dimension, anti-Semitism is rooted in a very specific malevolent spiritual evil that is directed not just against the Jewish people, but against God’s love for all people. How so? Because anti-Semitism is ultimately aimed at thwarting God’s plans for bringing His love and salvation to the world.

How a Palestinian Christian has another perspective on anti-Semitism

17-09-2024

Because of His love for fallen humanity, God provided a way for people of every nationality to be forgiven and reconciled to Him – through the death and resurrection of the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).

God created and called the Jewish people to give the world the Scriptures, the Saviour, and the message of His salvation. Despite the majority of my people’s tragic unfaithfulness throughout our history, God’s call upon the nation remains, and His call will be fulfilled. For, as the Apostle Paul explains, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).

Efforts to destroy the people whom God has called to play a major role in the outworking of His salvific plans have always been rooted in a malevolent spiritual design to make God a liar and to thwart God’s plans for bringing His salvation to the world. That makes anti-Semitism a unique spiritual attack upon God’s redemptive plans.

Anti-Semitism is a unique spiritual attack upon God’s redemptive plans

Certainly, every genuine believer in Jesus has been called to be a witness for the Lord in some fashion. And His body, the church, consisting of people from every tongue and tribe, bears the responsibility of bringing His Gospel to a world that so desperately needs to hear His Good News.

But there is only one physical nation that has been called to be a national witness. That nation is the Jewish people.

How Europe has not learned; anti-Semitism still seems to blossom

02-07-2024

Of course, possessing such a remarkable and thoroughly undeserved call is never an excuse to any acts of injustice. The Jewish prophets themselves, speaking as God’s mouthpiece, repeatedly pleaded not just for our people’s widows and orphans, but for the aliens in our midst.

Those cries for justice and righteous conduct are echoed today by Jewish people living in every land, whether they’re believers in the Messiah or not.

Bigotry

So, to sum it up: All forms of racism and bigotry are manifestations of spiritual evil. But anti-Semitism is rooted in a unique spiritual evil that seeks to make God a liar and thwart His plans to bring salvation to the world.

Just as I passionately labour for my people’s salvation, and just as I long for the day when Israel will fulfil her call, so I fervently hope that Christians will recognise and stand against the unique spiritual threat that anti-Semitism presents to world evangelisation.

Jack Nassar concludes his article with a fervent and wonderful exhortation. He writes, “while I may approach the issues of anti-Semitism and chosenness from a different angle than Snyder, our dialogue can be a powerful tool for building a world where all people are treated with dignity and respect, where the wounds of the past are healed, and where the love of Christ shines through our words and actions.”

To this, I say “Amen.”