The Evil Return of Antisemitism, Part 4

The Evil Return of Antisemitism, Part 4
Monday, April 21, 2025 by Dr. James W. Walraven

Categories: Apologetics / Contemporary issues / Scripture discussion / The church / Thought for Today

There is no biblical basis for antisemitism; none is to be found in the Old Testament; none is to be found in the New Testament.

To repeat: there is no basis for antisemitism in either the Old or New Testaments.

As we saw in the previous post, Jesus had authority to lay down his own life. No one took it from him. In addition, the hardness of the Jews against the Gospel took place so Gentiles could be saved. The New Testament undercuts the forced interpretation of verses taken out of context that are used to prop up antisemitism within the church.

But Scripture goes much further than that.

Most important, and seldom talked about, is that the church in the New Testament is actually subordinate to Israel. It is certainly true that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ, that those in the Old Testament trusted God, looking forward to what would happen even if they did not fully understood what will take place, while we look back to Christ.

Zechariah 12:10 is a fascinating prophecy, all the more as it is in the Old Testament. “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn” (NAU). The verse is a direct reference to their future recognition of Jesus Christ, a recognition that will not negate their being Jews.

What else does Scripture say? Romans 11:17–22 (NAU): “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that ait is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also cwill be cut off.”

In context, the branches broken off from the tree are the current unbelieving Jews. We, as the church, as Gentiles outside of Israel, have been grafted in. Remember, in Romans 11, God through Paul, is addressing believers, those who have come to faith in Christ.

As just mentioned, we have been grafted in. That is not something to boast about. As the text states, we are not to be conceited. The tree is not the church. SInce we have been grafted in, what place is there for antisemitism within the church? None. What place is there for boasting within the church? None. We are the ones being supported; the tree supports us, we are not the ones supporting the tree.

Ephesians 2:11–16 (ESV): “Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down tin his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 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, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.”

Similar to the Romans passage, we Gentiles were once far off, separated from Israel. But through Christ, we are brought in, and through Christ both groups are being made into one. God is ending the hostility that existed between Jew and Gentile. But once more, we are the ones being brought in. Would it not be wise for us, as Christians, to maintain an attitude of gratitude and humility?

As we will see in the next post, there is far more going on.

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