Section 3–Class 1: Overcoming Obstacles in Engaging with your Jewish Community

Section 3–The Church and the Jewish People

Class 1: Overcoming Barriers to Jewish Community Engagement

Teacher: Laura Barron

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Class Notes

Antisemitism: Definition and Forms

• Defined as “hatred or prejudice against Jewish people”
• Rooted in Satan’s opposition to God’s promise through Abraham
• Forms of Antisemitism:
  • Annihilation (e.g., Purim story in Esther, Nazi Germany, Hamas)
  • Oppression (e.g., Pharaoh enslaving Israelites in Egypt)
  • Assimilation (e.g., Hellenistic attempts to erase Jewish identity, Hanukkah story)
  • Forced Conversion (e.g., Crusades, Inquisition)

Christian History and Antisemitism

• Early Christianity was Jewish but later became dominated by Gentiles.
• Gentile believers absorbed antisemitic ideas from the broader pagan culture.
• Historical Christian antisemitism led to:
  • Religious Persecution (e.g., church laws restricting Jewish rights)
  • Massacres and Pogroms (e.g., Crusades, European riots)
  • The Inquisition (e.g., persecution of Jewish Christians)
  • Martin Luther’s Antisemitism (e.g., writings influencing German attitudes)
  • The Holocaust (e.g., Nazi ideology influenced by historical Christian antisemitism)

Modern Antisemitism and Israel

• Zionism: movement for a Jewish homeland, fulfilled in 1948 with Israel’s independence
• Anti-Zionism: often used as a cover for antisemitism (e.g., “From the River to the Sea” rhetoric)
• Israel’s ongoing political and military struggles

Christian Responsibility

• Christians must acknowledge and reject historical antisemitism.
• Understanding Jewish suspicions of Christianity is essential.
• Supporting Israel doesn’t mean endorsing every government policy but recognizing Jewish people’s right to self-determination.
• The New Testament was written by Jewish people and fulfills God’s promises to them.

Life Application

• Antisemitism is a spiritual issue that must be addressed with love and humility.
• Jesus’ teachings oppose hatred and prejudice.
• Christians are called to love and support the Jewish people while sharing the message of Jesus.
• Acknowledging history helps prevent future injustices and builds bridges between Christians and Jews.