Where Prager and Telushkin Miss It in their book “Why The Jews”!-2

  In their work ‘Why the Jews’ Dennis Prager and Joseph Telushkin do an excellent job of identifying anti-semitism whenever and wherever it rears its’ ugly head. And as I tried to lay out over my last several tidbits--as much as it hurts--they also expose the oxymoron ‘Christian anti-semitism’. Although no excuse can ever be made for Christians who have historically participated in acts of anti-semitism, I believe Prager and Telushkin make several fundamental mistakes which we will explore in this and later tidbits. First, they sincerely, but incorrectly limit their explanations for anti-semitism to man’s ‘reason’--which in my opinion—is the very core of their error.  While it is possible to understand a ‘measure’ of truth through ‘reason’ it is my belief that anti-semitism can only be explained through the work of Satan, who comes to kill, steal, and destroy (Jn10:10)---which can only be explained through revelation…not reason!
  On the other hand, I do believe we can all agree that ‘reason’ (logic) (Is1:18) is a vital part to the development of any human, culture, or nation---which is why the Bible demands humanity to be educated*—yet…reason is by-no-means a ‘cure-all’. Why? In short, ‘reason’ originates in the human mind which has been tainted by man’s sin nature**.
  The problem with ‘only’ depending on man’s capacity to reason, is that our sin nature** is active in corrupting the mind(Rom8:7;1Pet2:11), and hinders our ability to understand God(Ps36:9)---Whom is omniscient (Is44:8); possesses all understanding(Ps147:5); possesses all wisdom (1Tim1:17), and embodies all truth in the person of Christ, Jesus(Jn14:6)!
  Over an undesignated period of time, the sin nature has the ability to darken man’s reason (Lu11:35) increasingly reducing our ability to comprehend good and evil. I repeat, overtime, human history has overwhelmingly proven that reason--without God--will ultimately end with calling good evil and evil good (Is5:20, Gen6:5,11-13)!
  While I do not believe Prager and Telushkin are anywhere near the level of calling good evil, and evil good, I do believe it is clear that the Bible indicts Satan (Jn10:10) as ultimately responsible for the evil of anti-semitism. This does not mean that those who participated in anti-semitism--including Christians—bear no responsibility for the evil of Jew-hatred; Jewish persecution; and even murdering Jews, it means that when fighting anti-semitism…we must understand where and how to begin to fight back!
  Let’s turn our attention now to some more mistakes Prager and Telushkin make by relying only on their reason and logic--instead of the revelation of God’s word---to determine the purposes for anti-semitism.
  On page 13, of ‘Why the Jews’, they write, “Judaism consists of four components: God, Torah (laws and teachings), Israel (Jewish nationhood), and Chosenness. Throughout Jewish history, the Jews’ affirmation of one or more of these components has challenged, even threatened, the gods, laws, and cultures of non-Jews among whom Jews have lived.”
  I could not disagree with this statement more! Why? Two reasons: a.Authentic Christians are not in any way threatened by any of the four things mentioned by Prager and Telushkin. b.Because this statement does not take into account the obvious Satanic motive behind anti-semitism--it is false.
1.God. First, Christians worship the same God as the Jew! How can Christians hate Jews for loving the same God?!? And, most importantly, Jesus is Jewish!!! For a Christian to hate Jews, he/she must hate the one who saved him!
2.Torah. Second, the Torah is the Christian’s Genesis through Malachi(Old Testament), and is the EXACT same text! Christians do not believe the New Testament is separate from the Old Testament in inspiration or doctrine(2Tim3:16). One of the great pieces of evidence supporting  this truth is the incredible number of times the NT quotes the OT. If Christians reject either the inspiration or the doctrine of the OT—in any way--it would immediately invalidate the NT---BECAUSE the OT is so often quoted by Jesus and the apostles in the NT!!!
  Remember, Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi who taught the Torah! There was no NT for Him to teach!
3.Israel. Third, there currently exists what’s called ‘Replacement Theology’ among a minority of Christians. From the doctrine of ‘Replacement Theology’, there theoretically exists a ‘minute’ possibility for Jew-hatred. For example, ‘tainted reason’ could possibly argue the following: 1.at Pentecost, the birth of the Church, we have been made spiritual Israel; 2.the Jew is old or natural Israel, and no longer necessary; 3.Therefore, I as a Christian can hate, persecute, and even murder Jews!
  I argue that no ‘authentic’ Christian could ever hold to this kind of reason and logic—without completely departing from the Word of God! Yet, for a Christian to commit anti-semitism…this kind of absurd reasoning is necessary!
  First, even if we considered Israel or the Jew to be our enemy, Jesus, the highest example for our behavior said: “…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”(Mat5:44). Is it possible to squeeze, ‘hating’, ‘persecuting’, and ‘murdering Jews’ into this passage?
  Second, Jesus inspired 1John 3:15: “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” Can a Christian who by thought or deed murders a Jew, still go to heaven? This passage screams, NO!
  Third, Matthew 28:18-20 records Jesus--Who is the author of our salvation—giving the Great Commission mandate to the church! Romans 1:16 instructs us to do the Great Commission---to the Jew first…and then the Gentile!!! Could Jesus have meant for the Christian to hate, persecute, and even murder the Jew…and then subsequently do the Great Commission with them??!! Or maybe we Christians are to do the Great Commission first, and then hate, persecute and murder Jews??!! Of course not!!
  The word ‘gospel’ is the Greek word euaggelion and means: GOOD NEWS! Is it possible that a Jew who is experiencing hatred, persecution, and even murder of him or his family would think that he is experiencing the “GOOD NEWS of the Great Commission?!!!!??? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
  Finally,
4.Chosenness. The Bible clearly teaches God has chosen Israel:
-Deut7:6: “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth”
 -Ps105:6: “O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.”
 -2Sam7:23-24: “And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name—and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land—before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods?
24.For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, Lord, have become their God”
 
  Finally, the Chosenness of Israel, and the land of Israel—are part of a “FOREVER” covenant! (Gen13:15; 2Sam7:22-24; Ps105:6-8)

In conclusion, as any person can easily understand anti-semitism is completely irrational---especially for a Christian---which is a sign of the work of Satan! Satan hates God, hates what God loves, and hates God’s callings!
  Prager and Telushkin miss these truths because they limit their understanding to reason and reject the revelation of God’s word, the Bible!

*Pro1:7; Pro8:10; Pro9;10; Pro10:14; Pro11:9; Pro12:1; Pro13:16; Pro14:6; Pro14:18; Pro15:7,14; Pro18:15; Pro19:2,25; Deut6:4, etc, etc., etc. Nearly the entire book of Proverbs encourages us to acquire knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
**Rom7:16-23; Rom8:5-8