On the Question of the Jews
I want to try and keep this brief and to the point. However, given the nature of this piece, we’ll see if that holds true. God help me.
To start: The Semitic people who make up the modern nation-state of Israel are not the people of God. Let’s get that out in the open. As the Scriptures clearly teach, God’s people are not those who bear a particular ethnic background as descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but those who are in Christ by faith. In fact, in Christ, Israel is fulfilled and reaches its telos, such that those in Him become true Israelites, as Christ Himself is the true Israelite. Since we are made partakers of Him, we share in this title and status.
“For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed” (Rom. 9:6–8).
In the insanity of the modern age, it seems as though two extreme voices are found online right now. I will spend the rest of this essay critiquing both one at a time.
The first extreme has been in the mainstream for a while, and this would be the dispensationalists and Zionists broadly. This group is guilty of glorifying a secular nation-state as “God’s chosen people,” essentially committing the sin of idolatry. They push for America and other nations to “bless” (in an unbiblical sense) a nation that is extraordinarily antichrist. They labor for our resources to go and support this wicked nation. I will call it for what it is: evil. I already have political qualms about supporting and assisting other nations in their affairs broadly, but when I am told it is actually my religious duty and the will of God, it reaches a whole new level of insanity. Plus, Scripture is clear who the Jews are in relation to God:
“Jesus saith unto them, ‘Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.’ And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them” (Matt. 21:42–45).
“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9).
“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Rom. 2:28–29).
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him” (John 8:44).
Note in just these few examples what Scripture plainly teaches:
The kingdom of heaven has been taken from Israel according to the flesh and given to “a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”
The word “Jew” is redefined to speak of those who are inwardly converted by a circumcision of the heart, not those who are only outwardly Jews. In fact, those who claim to be Jews on the basis of ethnic and outward signs are a synagogue of Satan and “of [their] father the devil.”
This should, in a very cursory sense, show the absolute folly and idolatry of the Zionist and dispensationalist perspective.
However, turning our attention to the other extreme, we have another deadly view. This would be the “neo-Nazi” perspective, as it is sometimes called. In this view, the Jews are turned into the ultimate supervillain, essentially granted supreme power over all things. It’s so overblown at times, that it has led me to question if proponents of this view see the Jews as having divine attributes.
Now, as a brief aside, I acknowledge Jewish influence in things like banking, media, and politics. However, I wince when I hear people blame “the Jooooos” for everything, as though every individual Jew is involved in a covert operation for a global takeover. Give me a break. Like all secular and pagan groups who wield influence, the Jews pose a threat to Christianity. That is true. Perhaps more than other groups, Jews hold prominent places in society. That is also true. However, this doesn’t mean that all Jews are involved in a massive attempt to take over the world. I’d go on record to say that Islam poses a much more serious threat to Christianity, in that we have literally seen its growth and hostile takeover demonstrated in history. It’s measurable in a way that Jewish influence and violence is not and has never been.
Regardless, though, my point here is not really to nitpick what one thinks of the Jews as a whole, it is to condemn the blatant hatred and demonic behavior I see expressed by advocates of this extreme view.
First, as just a personal observation, this group functions very much like a cult in that it is immune to all criticism, constructive or otherwise. As an example, many have become so radicalized that this essay you’re reading—which I believe to be pretty balanced overall—will be condemned as “Jewish propaganda.” Some might even think that I have committed myself to evil for not concluding my article after condemning the dispensationalists. They, not unlike the dispensationalists, have no ability to critically engage their own thinking on this matter. Instead, if you criticize them, a barrage of name-calling and anti-Semitic remarks are bound to come your way.
That’s my first criticism.
My second has more to do with conclusions. Many who either directly support this neo-Nazi movement or are adjacent to it move beyond simply a dislike for Israel, (or even a godly hatred for Israel’s evil) into a dehumanizing and demonic hatred.
I have seen everything from claims that Jews do not bear God’s image, to claims that Hitler didn’t go far enough. In either case, these kinds of statements and ways of thinking are brutal assaults on the dignity of the human person as an image-bearer of God and the commandment of Christ to love our enemies and to bless those who curse us.
In response to this group, I would ask: do you pray for the Jews? When you see a “real live one” in the public square, is your first thought filled with contempt and animosity, or do you see the individual standing before you as bearing the image of God, a human being who was created for communion with their Creator?
Though the dispensationalists get the idea that God has two distinct peoples very wrong, they are right to hope for the conversion of the Jews.
I have long believed—especially as I was deep in postmillennial circles—that Romans eleven teaches a future conversion of ethnic Israel. Some differ on this, but I happen to believe—with many fine Christians—that one day, the Jews will be converted en masse to the Catholic Church. This day will bear fruit in the way of more Gentile conversions. I find this to be obvious when you read St. Paul and he says:
“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Rom. 11:25–27).
Even if you disagree with my exegesis and conclude differently, would it not be glorious if it were true? Would it not be a joyful day to see national Israel repent of their wickedness and bow the knee to King Jesus? I believe this should be our prayer, and I am concerned for those who, I believe, demonstrate with their speech that they do not feel the same way. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34b).
Pastorally, I want to be sure to say that hatred for another human being will always poison us, and will eventually erode even our love for God. If we have all things, but have not charity, we are nothing. Remember that.
In conclusion, I am no friend of Israel or the Jews. They are, as St. Paul said, “as concerning the Gospel…enemies” (Rom. 11:28). The point of this piece is not to compel readers to view them differently. I wholeheartedly condemn the dispensational Zionist attitude as a gross idolatry against the truth of Christ and His Holy Catholic Church.
However, on the other hand, I want to remind my neo-Nazi sympathizers that while the Jews are our enemies according to Scripture, Christ makes it very clear what we are to do in relation to our enemies: we are to love them. Love does not mean approve, support, or enable; that is true. But Scripture does tell us what love is and does:
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Cor. 13:4–7).
If we let this passage permeate our inward parts, I am certain that we will avoid the extremes of this issue, landing directly in the midst of glorious orthodoxy.
I will leave you with this prayer. May its words inspire the words and attitudes surrounding this subject.
“O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen” (BCP 655).
Works Used:
The Book of Common Prayer. Anglican Liturgy Press. The Anglican Church in North America, 2019.
The Holy Bible: King James Version. Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009.
This is uncharitable towards dispensationalists and treats all dispensationalists as monolithic. There are a variety of dispensationalists--from classic to revised to progressive. In fact, since you believe in a future for the nation of Israel, you may qualify as a dispensationalist of sorts! If you believe Romans 11 teaches a mass conversion of the Jews, then you have to believe in Paul's explanation of their conversion: "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Rom 11:29). If the conversion of the Jews is related to their gifts and calling--then they actually are God's chosen people--in some sense. Not the same sense as the church, but in some sense. And maybe that means that the promise given to Israel still stands: "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse..." Gen 12:3.
This topic is emotionally, spiritually, and politically charged, and I admire your heart and courage to take it on. I know you are aiming to honor God, think biblically, avoid extremes, and call people to truth and charity in the midst of evil and confusion. That is very admirable.
I read this today and I’ve tried to give it a fair reading and response, one I hope you’ll read not as a criticism of you, but as a brotherly attempt to pursue truth with you, in the spirit of iron sharpening iron.
Points of Agreement
1. Your appeal to Romans 9, Galatians 3, and related passages to affirm that union with Christ, not bloodline, makes one a child of God. The spiritualization of Israel in the New Testament is a foundational Christian doctrine, and the Church is the fulfillment of God’s covenant people (CCC 877, CCC 781). Agree 100%. “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel” (Rom. 9:6)… You are absolutely right to use this passage to refute ethnic determinism.
2. Your critique of dispensational theology is also spot on. We should not affirm the idea that the modern nation-state of Israel enjoys divine favor independent of Christ, nor that there are “two tracks” to salvation, as in one for Jews and one for the Church. I also share your concern that forms of Christian Zionism border on idolatry, elevating a political nation to a spiritual pedestal. The Scriptures and the Church do not support this. So when you caution against blindly supporting Israel as a divine imperative, I’m with you.
3. You write of how many Jews rejected Christ in the first century, and how Scripture speaks strongly about that rejection, from Matthew 21 to Romans 11. These rebukes are real, and they underscore the gravity of rejecting the Messiah. Jesus, Stephen, and Paul all grieved over it, and so should we. You show that grief in parts of your piece, and I appreciate how you do not fall into triumphalism.
4. You eloquently denounce the neo-Nazi ideology that dehumanizes Jews, denies their dignity as image-bearers of God, and celebrates genocidal language. I was especially moved when you wrote that: “These kinds of statements and ways of thinking are brutal assaults on the dignity of the human person as an image-bearer of God and the commandment of Christ to love our enemies…” This is the heart of the Gospel, and it shines in your conclusion. You’re right to call out demonic hatred masquerading as truth-telling. I see that a lot now, even in Christian circles, and it was important for you to rebuke.
5. Your reference to Romans 11 and your hope for a future conversion of ethnic Jews is both biblically grounded and consistent with Church tradition. The Catechism teaches that: “The ‘full inclusion’ of the Jews in the Messiah’s salvation, in the wake of the ‘full number of the Gentiles,’ will enable the People of God to achieve ‘the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’” (CCC 674). That future hope of Jew and Gentile together glorifying Christ is beautiful, and I wholeheartedly affirm your call to pray for that.
Constructive Criticism
My concerns mostly regard your framing, tone, language, and certain interpretations. I offer these in the spirit of brotherly counsel, not opposition.
1. You cite Revelation 2:9, John 8:44, and similar verses to describe Jews who reject Christ. You’re not wrong that these were spoken to Jews in context, but they were directed at specific individuals or groups, not as a blanket indictment of all Jews for all time. Most scholars agree that “Synagogue of Satan” likely refers to a local group in Smyrna persecuting Christians, and not a judgment of all Jewish synagogues. Using this to generalize about all Jews in relation to God (especially today) removes the Scripture from its context. Again, “Children of the devil” in John 8 refers to those refusing to believe, not Jews by ethnicity. By that logic, any unbeliever could be included.
2. You write: “Like all secular and pagan groups who wield influence, the Jews pose a threat to Christianity.” Even if you’re trying to speak about theological ideas or influence, this phrasing dangerously conflates a people group with an ideology. There are faithful Catholic Jews, secular Jews, atheist Jews, Zionist Jews, and everything in between. There is no monolithic “the Jews.” Generalizations like these echo centuries-old stereotypes about “Jewish power”, fuel conspiracy thinking, and dehumanize through collectivism. Even though I know you do not endorse conspiracy theories, talking about “the Jews” as a bloc is always dangerous. This is one of the reasons I reject CRT. Would you accept generalizations like this about any other group (“The whites pose a threat to…” or “The Italians dominate banking…”)? Especially in a post-Holocaust world, we should be more conscious of how these ideas can be weaponized.
3. You say, “In conclusion, I am no friend of Israel or the Jews.” Even if you meant “I am no friend of secular Israel or of unbelieving Judaism,” this phrasing is volatile. It invites misreading and undermines your entire appeal to Christian love. Imagine someone writing, “I am no friend of Catholics” or “I am no friend of Americans.” Even though your intent is theological, the implication is personal.
4. Though you end with a call to charity, the beginning of your piece frames Jews as: “extraordinarily antichrist”, “wicked”, a threat to the faith, and a group often aligned with Satan. Even if your theological point is that they are in error, the rhetorical weight here leans heavily into condemnation. If a Jewish reader read this, would they feel invited to repentance and love? Or accused, feared, and hated? We are called not just to state theological truths, but to speak them in a way that reflects the heart of Christ, who wept over Jerusalem, even while rebuking her.
I hope my points are taken as intended. Thank you for reading.