What Is Anti-Semitism?
Moreover Is This Site Anti-Semitic?
For some reason, when the topic is around Jewish people, people immediately want to know if the presenter is anti-Semitic. But what is anti-semitism?
To save everyone time we will make this very easy for you:
We are opposed to Anti-Semitism!
Just as *Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German Christian and theologian who opposed Hitler and his persecution of those of Jewish descent, we too oppose such an attitude.
We believe that all men are created equally in the image of God and are equally and freely offered the same access to God through Christ and His gospel. To shun any particular group merely for their nationality, race or ethnicity, or single out any particular group for ridicule or persecution, is wrong.
The following are a couple of standard definitions of anti-Semitism:
High-Jacking the definition
However, there is an element within our culture that has high-jacked the definition of anti-Semitism. This redefinition is particularly prominent among those who claim Israeli descent as well as a large percentage of the evangelical Christian church.
These elements redefine anti-Semitism very differently than the official definitions referenced above. To them, anti-Semitism does not mean someone who is opposed or against Jews or Israel but anyone who is not pro-Israel or pro-Jew. This is a very subtle but different definition than the actual one above, though not at all obvious at first look.
Unlike the true definition, this definition is akin to saying I am against a group if I am not for a group.
Now compare the definition of racism below with the definitions of anti-semitism above and the difference is more evident.
rac·ism [rey-siz-uh m] noun
a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
How is this different? If I am not pro Swahili does that mean that I am anti-Swahili? Of course not. The fact is, I am not against Swahili’s at all but rather see them simply as one of several nationalities who have the same access to God and his gospel as any other group.
By this high-jacked definition, I must see Jews or Israel as superior to any other group. If I do not I am anti-Semitic. However, at a closer look, this is actually the definition of racism, not anti-Semitism, and is in fact no different than the view that Hitler held regarding his so call Arian race.
So are we for or against the nation of Israel?
We are neither against or for any race, Jewish or otherwise.
We are no more for or against Israel than we are for or against any other ethnic or racial group. In fact, in the group contributing to this site, we have some with an Israeli heritage, as well as Mexican, Italian, American, German, and British i.e. the typical American Heinz 57 variety. We are all however pro Christ, pro gospel, and pro-truth, and the pro kingdom of God So you may be wondering if we are against anything? Yes, we are. We are against lies and anything that opposes the gospel of grace, God, and his kingdom, whether those lies come from an American, a “Christian,” an Israeli, Iraqi, Palestinian, or any other group you wish to list.
WHAT ARE WE FOR?
Our loyalty is to Christ and Him alone, not any ethnic group or denomination. We desire to see everyone come under the forgiveness and reign of Christ and His grace.
Racism - the real issue
The bottom line is God’s economy is not about race at all when in fact some wish to make it so and try to label anyone who does not see Israel as superior as anti-Semitic.
Holding up one race as better than another is exactly what Hitler preached when advocating the superiority of his so-called Aryan race.
Why is an attitude of superiority wrong? We have a clear historical example of what this attitude can produce, with the Nazi Regime. An attitude that leads to the death of many Jews of his time. Holding one race as superior to another is in fact the seed from which racism springs and at the very heart of racism regardless of what person or group holds it.
There are many current examples we can point to of the hate produced by this attitude. Key elements within Zionism would be a modern example; although Zionists are by no means the only ones who are guilty of a superiority attitude. This attitude is wrong and leads to all kinds of destructive behavior such as turning a blind eye to the wrong behavior of a supposed superior race or justifying behavior not tolerated by other groups with the same behavior.
To promote one group of people as superior to another group is not only racist; it is against God’s spiritual economy. In God’s economy, the playing field is level when it comes to race or ethnicity. In God, there are no ethnic or racial favorites and to advocate it goes clearly against scripture.
Here are a few examples:
13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off (Gentiles) have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
* For an excellent recounting of Bonhoeffer's life, we highly recommend the documentary “Bonhoeffer,” directed by Martin Doblmeier, which is available on Netflix.
NOTE:
Links to Bible references are from the website, It is an excellent reference to God's Word and available to anyone with access to a computer. They have no connection to our site nor do they endorse us in any manner.
