How Can We Stop Antisemitism?
Episode Summary:
Episode # 3: How Can We Stop Antisemitism?
Episode Three – It began as a candid conversation between a Jew and a Christian: What does antisemitism look like, and what can we do to stop it? On the third episode of The Lear Report, good friends and podcasting partners Steve Lear and Stan Hustad share the following highlights from their deep dive into this timely topic:
● Personal experiences with antisemitism
● Steve’s theory about what causes it
● The key question to answer
● Can we enjoy life when others suffer?
● Two behaviors that could help end antisemitism
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The views expressed in this podcast are those of Steve Lear personally and do not reflect the opinion of any government entity, organization, institution or of Affiance Financial.
My thoughts after listening to the podcast:
Anti-Semitism is preceded well before the examples cited involving Christianity and Islam. Enslavement in Egypt under Pharaoh, and pogrom in Persia under Xerxes I are two accounts that come quickly to mind. Even further back, among the first family, Cain killed his brother Abel after taking off offense that Abel’s offering was pleasing tot he LORD while Cain’s was not.
So, you can make a case that the root of anti-Semitism is something deeper than the manifestations seen throughout history. Perhaps even deeper than the
“nervousness” caused by competing world views. Perhaps it goes back to the Garden and the Fall. Framing anti-Semitism as sin, ie, rebellion against a Holy God, sends the discussion in a different (and, ultimately, more hopeful) direction.
Regarding the theological points raised in the podcast, several scriptures come to mind that have shaped my perspective (see below). In a more general sense, the book of Hebrews (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%201&version=NIV) may be the most approachable way to fully explain the narrative that bridges Jewish and Christian faith. I recommend it for consideration!
–Genesis 12:1-3 “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
–Joshua 1:7-8 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
–II Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
–I Peter 3:15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”
This is a response to Jim Reimer’s July 14th commentary on the Curiosity Zone on the subject of how can we stop anti semitism. Jim, who I love dearly and have for an extended period of time, I find to be an extremely caring person due to his devotion to Jesus Christ, his teachings, which are mostly Jewish. Jim, my concern is that Hebrew 1 is promoting the idea that the only way to have a relationship with God is through Jesus Christ. That is what my concern is with the interpretation of Hebrew 1. I totally respect people who believe in Christianity and Jesus Christ, but I also believe that there’s additional roads and paths to have a relationship with God. Would love to hear your comment.
Leaving the Hebrews discussion aside for now (perhaps another podcast unto itself), I would return to the initial question, ie, “How Can We Stop Antisemitism?”. I argue that it’s impossible to do so without first answering the question of “What causes antisemitism?”
In short, I would propose an overly simple answer as jealousy. Jealousy of a role that is ordained by God but not accepted by others, especially others in the family. Perhaps the clearest example is Joseph and his relationship with his 11 brothers. Joseph was granted unmerited favor (to accomplish God’s plan that “many people should be kept alive”, Genesis 50:20) yet it brought about unbridled jealousy, leading to untold strife and hatred. A steep price for a “coat of many colors”, as it were.
The good news is that story had a happy ending and the family reconciled in peace. God’s mysterious plan was revealed in due time. Jealousy was overcome and replaced by blessing–not as a result of the brothers “figuring it out”–but as a result of God’s grace. May God do the same, breaking the cycle of jealousy and antisemitism, for our blessing and His glory.