100 years ago antisemitism was commonplace in Europe, America, and many other parts of the world. It was also nothing new, having been present and poisoning the heart and soul of Christendom since at least the first mass violence against Jews by Christians during the run-up to the Crusades. It was a spiritual cancer growing there within the Church that successive generations failed to eradicate. Spasms of violence, mass confiscations of property, and expulsions from various kingdoms and nations had sporadically occurred, but few could envision that the generation growing up in the gruesome shadow of WWI, who would soon begin enduring the Great Depression, would also be the generation to witness history's greatest effort at ethnic genocide. When Hitler rose to power in Germany the warning signs began to sound, but they were not heeded, not by enough people and not by people who could have done something about it, until it was far too late. Jewish refugees were not welcome anywhere, including in America. {A well documented example: VOYAGE OF THE ST. LOUIS - The Holocaust Encyclopedia} They may have proven themselves to be the Greatest Generation in many ways, but in their response to antisemitism, they soundly and profoundly failed. As the horrors of the Holocaust were revealed to the world in the rubble of WWII, the rallying cry was, "Never Again!" Shame at having done too little too late had broken the fever of antisemitism, seemingly, it was hoped.
I fear that we're living in the generation that will begin to answer the question of whether or not "Never Again!" can last more than 100 years before it expires.
ADL Records Dramatic Increase in U.S. Antisemitic Incidents Following Oct. 7 Hamas Massacre
Russia Airport Mob Hunting Jewish Passengers—What We Know Oct 30, 2023
As I have written and said many times in the past, the failure of the Church to not only protect the Jews of Europe and America from violence and discrimination, but also the failure to fully purge that evil from the hearts and minds of those who claim to follow Jesus (himself purposefully and proudly Jewish), is the greatest failure in Church history. It is our darkest stain and our greatest shame.
God demands more of us, our generation will have the opportunity to demonstrate through word and deed that we have learned from our ancestors mistakes.
** It is entirely possible, and at times even morally responsible, to be critical of the policies of the nation-state of Israel AND at the same time condemn and oppose antisemitism in all of its forms. Israel should be no more subject to a "Love it or leave it" mantra than America. We can love America and be critical of her failure just as we can support Jews wherever they may live without having to agree 100% with what the nation of Israel does. However, the insidious nature of antisemitism compels us to speak with measured wisdom if we feel we must be critical of the nation of Israel, so that criticism of governmental policies and actions does not give encouragement to the racists who are seeking to harm and kill Jews.
It is also entirely possible to condemn terrorism in all of its forms, even to agree that a government is justified in taking military action against terrorists, and at the same time feel compassion and pity for the innocent civilians that are left homeless, wounded, and killed in the process.**
Pray for the Peace of Israel, pray for the Holy Land, pray for the Jews and pray for the Palestinians.
Below are links to my previous posts on the subject of antisemitism:
Scripture Abuse: 2 Chronicles 7:14, idolatry, nationalism, and antisemitism
Another Mass Murder inspired by the Evil of the "Great Replacement" theory
I'm not willing to ignore Antisemitism on Christmas Eve (or ever).
Sermon Video: The LORD dwells in Zion - Joel 3
Christian Antisemitism: An utterly absurd oxymoron
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