Founding Statement – Coalition Against Antisemitism

Founding Statement for the
Coalition Against Antisemitism

We are building a Coalition Against Antisemitism (CAAS), which will propose several ways to oppose antisemitism through education, activism, public demonstrations, rallies, lectures, social media, and initiating various public events with a particular emphasis on college campuses. We will work to influence local churches, seminaries and colleges, denominations, and Christian institutions to make them aware of rising antisemitism while also providing resources and practical advice on how to counter anti-Jewish attitudes within their spheres of influence. Our founding statement expresses our conviction God chose the Jewish people for His purposes, and how antisemitism, which contradicts God’s covenant, is Satanic. It also surveys the various forms antisemitism has taken over the centuries.

Spiritual Origins of Antisemitism

As our common faith declares, God created and chose the Jewish people to accomplish His purposes on earth (Genesis 12:1–3, 28:14; Romans 9:4–5). Therefore, the existence of antisemitism runs contrary to God’s covenant promises to Jewish people (Jeremiah 31:35–37). Antisemitism is Satanic in origin (Revelation 12:13–17) and is in keeping with the devil’s plot to alienate the Jewish people from God’s plan for His chosen people.

Early Anti-Judaism

Anti-Judaism, the precursor of modern antisemitism, became firmly embedded in church doctrine over the centuries. Although the New Testament conveys a positive view of Jewish people (Romans 11), the writings of the church promoted an increasingly negative view of Jewish people, causing a growing chasm with the Jewish community. Many early Gentile Christian leaders believed and taught that God rejected the Jewish people in favor of the church.

Antisemitism Rooted in False Teaching

Antisemitism was nurtured by Christians in positions of political power who formulated anti-Jewish policies during the medieval period, limiting Jewish freedoms and occupations while empowering and protecting their persecutors. These policies undermined the dignity and security of God’s covenant people and spawned a negative view of Christianity within the greater Jewish community.

The Growth of Racial Antisemitism

By the late Middle Ages and the beginning of the Enlightenment antisemitism was increasingly popularized in the writings of European Christians and a growing cadre of secularists. Their language ultimately engendered even more virulent manifestations of racial antisemitism, leading to frequent blood libels, pogroms in Eastern Europe, and other forms of persecution in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Antisemitism and Global Conspiracy Theories

Antisemitism expressed by various conspiratorial writings, including the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” and numerous antisemitic tropes, spread throughout the world during the modern era. Fueled by racial ideology, this hatred of Jewish people ultimately led to the Holocaust.

Islamic Antisemitism

Antisemitism assumed new dimensions during the Muslim conquests in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe as Islam teaches that all non-Muslims must submit to its political authority in Muslim-ruled lands. Negative views of Jewish people in classic Islam combined with European race-based antisemitism and politically motivated anti-Zionism to pervade the culture of Israel’s neighbors. The founding of the modern State of Israel in 1948 became a lightning rod for Islamic antisemitism. Unfortunately, during the last few decades, Islamic antisemitism became especially volatile and violent, as demonstrated by the barbaric massacre, rape, and kidnapping of innocent Jewish Israelis and non-Jews living in Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Coalition Against Antisemitism and the Gospel Message

The Coalition Against Antisemitism (CAAS) gives voice to all, and especially to followers of the Messiah Jesus, who are compelled to counter the destructive tropes, false charges, lies, and doctrines fueling antisemitism and hatred of the Jewish people. This hatred has become increasingly visible and militant in recent years, even more since October 7, 2023. CAAS calls upon those who seek the good of Israel to join hands in praying for Jewish people (Psalm 122:6) and take decisive action in repudiating antisemitism through intentional, bold, and respectful public action, media, education, and local church engagement. Additionally, we affirm that both the proclamation of the good news and acts of kindness toward the Jewish people are motivated by love and gospel obedience, as the apostle Paul implores all true believers to bring the gospel “to the Jew first” (Rom 1:16). The Scriptures also affirm that the God of Israel will one day fulfill all His promises to His chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6–26; Rom 11:25–29).

Founding Statement for the
Coalition Against Antisemitism

Yes! I Affirm This Statement!

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Founding Statement for theCoalition Against Antisemitism

Yes! I Affirm This Statement!

ABOUT

RESOURCES

TAKE ACTION

Founding Statement for the
Coalition Against Antisemitism