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HOLY TO YAHVEH WORKBOOK LESSON FIVE ANTI-SEMITISM FANNED INTO FLAMES
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Anti-Semitism Fanned into Flames
(Study Guide for Chapters 13-15 of Holy to YAHveh)
1. As we have seen in our study thus far, it was YAHveh’s intention that the church not depart from its historic Hebrew roots, but remain firmly established in “the rich root of the olive tree” (Romans 11:17). YAHveh’s plan was that the holy Hebrew root be a source of nourishment and support for His body, the true church. However, many of the early church fathers had different ideas.
A careful look at the history of much of corporate Christianity will reveal how the “ancient Serpent’s trail” of anti-Semitism continued throughout the centuries, causing much of the Gentile Christian church to become detached from its holy Hebrew root-even igniting hatred between believing Christians and the Messiah’s beloved brothers and sisters, the Jews.
Read chapter 13 of Holy to YAHveh. As you read, you will learn much about the historical roots of corporate Christianity. Please take detailed notes on the attitudes, beliefs, and actions of each of these early “church fathers” with regard to the Jewish people. Also note the influence each may have had on the doctrines, traditions, and actions of today’s churches and believers.
a. Origen
b. Chrysostom
c. St. Jerome
d. Augustine
e. Constantine
f. Justinian
g. the Crusaders
h. leaders of the Inquisitions
i. Martin Luther
2. Read Isaiah 59:2-5 (NIV), printed for you below. As you read, circle every reference to the people described in the passage. (You will be circling “you,” “your,” “they,” and any other word that refers to these people.) Then list below everything you learn about these people.
... your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things. No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. They hatch the eggs of vipers and spin a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die, and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.
3. Looking over the list you just made, how does this passage relate to what you have learned about the early church fathers and the foundations of corporate Christianity?
4. The text in chapter 13 quotes Dr. Michael L. Brown, who wrote, “Let us hang our heads in shame. The ‘Church’ has blood on her hands.” In your opinion, does the church have blood on her hands? Explain your answer.
5. Chapter 14 of Holy to YAHveh outlines the link between Christian anti-Semitism and the Holocaust of Nazi Germany. It can be assumed that most Christians today are repulsed and grieved by the atrocities committed against the Jewish people by Hitler and his followers. However, many Christians are grossly ignorant of the way in which anti-Semitic “Christian” theology and doctrine precipitated these events and was used to justify the crimes of those who sought to eliminate the Jewish race. The great tragedy is that the very same theology that helped fuel the Nazi hate engine is alive in the church today.
Read chapter 14 and make careful notes on the link between Christian (both Catholic and Protestant) anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.
6. As the text states in chapter 14:
Today is it any wonder that the majority of Jews in the world respond in horror and dread to the name Jesus Christ? The name that is above all names to Christians has become a curse word to them, reeking with the stench of torment and death, and never to be spoken in Jewish homes.
Knowing that you are not personally accountable for the actions of other Christians during the Holocaust, what responsibility do you have in light of the truth you now know? What do you think your Savior would have you do to help rectify sins committed against the Jewish people in the name of Jesus Christ?
7. During the reign of David, there was a three-year famine in the land due to the sins of David’s predecessor, Saul. David was not responsible for Saul’s transgressions, yet he was required to take action in order to remedy those sins. Read 2 Samuel 21:1-3.
8. David repented and made restitution for the “blood-stained house” of Saul. Using David as our example, what must the body of Messiah do to make amends for the “blood-stained house” of corporate Christianity (specifically regarding its treatment of the Jews)? Prayerfully consider your answer before writing it down.
9. Now read chapter 15 of Holy to YAHveh. The chapter opens with the thoughts of Basilea Schlink, a German nun. As you read the first few pages of this chapter, write down the seven questions Basilea asks. (You may paraphrase these questions in order to shorten them.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
10. After you have read chapter 15, take a moment to reconsider the seven questions you recorded above. How would you attempt to answer them? In the space below each question, write out your heartfelt response.
11. King David sought the “presence of YAHveh” in order to make amends for the blood guilt of Saul. It’s time for us to seek Him and make amends for the blood guilt of our forefathers in the church. Please read the following Scriptures and record what YAHveh would have us do (or not do) concerning the Jewish people.
a. Jeremiah 9:1
b. Isaiah 40:1-2 (Throughout Scripture, the people of Israel are strongly identified with their capital city, Jerusalem, so that the phrase “speak kindly to Jerusalem” can also be stated, “speak kindly to the Jewish people.”)
c. Matthew 25:31-40 (Please note that when YAHshua the King speaks of “these brothers of mine,” He is speaking of His brothers and sisters, the Jews.)
d. Obadiah 1:10-12
e. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
f. Jeremiah 31:7
g. Romans 10:1
h. Romans 1:16 (Note the divine order given in this verse.)
i. Isaiah 52:7 (Zion is another name for Jerusalem.)
Questions for Group Discussion
1. Chapter 13 is entitled “Do You Know What Hurts Me?” Having completed this week’s personal study, do you know what hurts and grieves your Father, YAHveh? Explain.
2. In your study of the early church fathers from Origen to Martin Luther, what did you learn that was most surprising? Did anything cause you sorrow?
3. It goes without saying that with regard to the Jews, much of corporate Christianity has behaved in a manner that is diametrically opposed to YAHshua’s message of love. But with what religious beliefs and doctrines did the early church fathers support their actions? How did they justify hating and persecuting the Jews?
4. In what way did anti-Semitic Christian theology contribute to the Holocaust?
5. Dr. Michael L. Brown wrote, “Let us hang our heads in shame. The ‘Church’ has blood on her hands.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
6. Read Isaiah 59:2-5 aloud. How does this passage relate to what you have learned about the Christian church’s persecution of the Jewish people?
7. Does the church of today have any responsibility to right the wrongs committed by our forefathers against the Jews? Do individuals (individual Gentile believers) have a responsibility in this area? Explain your answer.
8. Many people will say they simply are indifferent towards the Jews. How do you think the Almighty, who is passionate towards His people Israel, regards such apathy in the hearts of the Gentiles who profess to know and worship Him?
9. In chapter 15, what was your reaction to Basilea Schlink’s statement, “Whoever wants to know the heart of God will do so by acquainting himself with His people Israel”?
10. Read aloud the excerpt from Basilea Schlink’s Israel, My Chosen People (chapter 15). What is your reaction to her statements? Do you feel that they have validity? Why or why not?
11. Look up the following Scriptures. Discuss what each passage teaches concerning the Jewish people. What attitudes and actions on the part of Gentile believers would aid in “making amends” for the sins of their forefathers?
a. Jeremiah 9:1
b. Isaiah 40:1-2
c. Matthew 25:31-40
d. Obadiah 1:10-12
e. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
f. Jeremiah 31:7
g. Romans 10:1
h. Romans 1:16
i. Isaiah 52:7
12. The first step in making amends for the church’s historic treatment of the Jews is repentance. If your group is in agreement that repentance is needed and desired by YAHveh at this time, please humble yourselves and pray in unison the prayer that is given at the end of chapter 15. Substitute we, us, and our for I, me, and my as you read this prayer aloud.
Then allow a brief time for private and spontaneous prayer, remembering Jeremiah 31:7: “...Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob...Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O YAHveh, save Thy people, The remnant of Israel.’”
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