Singing Louder: The Church, Israel, and the Spirit of Antisemitism
- Joe Hawkins
- Jun 18
- 8 min read
This article is not intended to be an exhaustive exposition on antisemitism, nor does it attempt to cover every nuance or detail. Rather, this is a heartfelt call to awareness and discernment. The goal is to shine a light on a spiritual and societal darkness that has endured through millennia: the deep-rooted hatred for the Jewish people. My prayer is that as you read, you would do so with wisdom and humility. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you process these truths. And if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, I urge you to take this moment to consider the Gospel and the eternal hope found only in Him.
The Biblical Roots of a Spiritual Hatred
The Bible reveals that the animosity toward the Jewish people is not merely a result of human prejudice—it is a byproduct of spiritual warfare. The Jewish people are at the center of God's redemptive plan, and because of this, they have also been at the center of Satan’s fury.
From the very beginning, God chose Abraham and established a covenant with him:
“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” – Genesis 12:3
This was not just a blessing for Abraham personally, but a divine promise concerning his descendants—Israel. The Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come through this chosen line. Therefore, the Jewish people are the earthly vessel through which God brought salvation to the world. Satan has always sought to disrupt that plan.
We see this clearly illustrated in Revelation 12, where Israel is symbolized as a woman in labor, and the dragon—Satan—stands ready to devour her child. The passage reveals that after the child (Messiah) is caught up to heaven, the dragon turns his rage against the woman and the rest of her offspring. This is not poetic metaphor—it is a spiritual reality that has played out across centuries.
Pharaoh attempted to exterminate Jewish males in Egypt (Exodus 1), Haman tried to annihilate all Jews in Persia (Esther 3), and Herod ordered the murder of Jewish infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2). These were not random acts of tyranny—they were satanically inspired attempts to sever God’s redemptive thread.
This ancient hatred continues today. It is a hatred stirred by demonic influence. The enemy knows that Israel still has a role to play in end-time prophecy (see Romans 11, Zechariah 12–14, Matthew 24), and he will stop at nothing to incite nations and individuals against them.
A Historical Trail of Blood and Exile
Antisemitism is not confined to biblical times. It is woven into the very fabric of human history. Few peoples have endured such sustained persecution, dispersion, and genocide across so many cultures and centuries.
The Jewish people were exiled from their land after the destruction of the First Temple in 586 B.C. by Babylon, and again in A.D. 70 when the Romans razed the Second Temple and scattered them throughout the empire.
As the Christian Church grew in influence during the early centuries A.D., antisemitism took on religious tones. Some early Church fathers wrongly accused the Jews of “deicide”—the killing of God—and laid the blame for Jesus’ crucifixion solely at their feet. This heretical teaching fed the fires of animosity in medieval Europe.
In 1096, as part of the First Crusade, thousands of Jews were slaughtered in the Rhineland massacres. During the Black Plague in the 1300s, Jews were falsely accused of poisoning wells and were burned alive by the thousands. They were expelled from England in 1290, France in 1306, and Spain in 1492. Often, their property was seized and their lives destroyed.
Martin Luther, though a reformer in many respects, published a treatise later in life titled On the Jews and Their Lies, which called for the burning of synagogues and homes. His writings would be quoted centuries later by the Nazis as justification for their policies.
Then came the Holocaust—the industrialized murder of six million Jews under Hitler’s regime. It remains one of the darkest chapters in human history, and a chilling reminder of how far unchecked hatred can go.
Despite this, God has preserved His people. The rebirth of Israel in 1948, after nearly 2,000 years of exile, is a prophetic miracle. Yet hatred for the Jewish people has not diminished—it has simply evolved.
The Modern Face of an Ancient Evil
In today’s world, antisemitism often masquerades as political critique, cultural commentary, or comedic expression. But underneath the mask, the venom remains.
According to recent studies by the Anti-Defamation League (yes, I know), antisemitic incidents—ranging from vandalism to violent assault—have sharply increased across the globe. In the U.S. alone, there has been a year-over-year rise in antisemitic acts, including synagogue shootings, campus harassment, and online hate.
This hatred is no longer isolated to neo-Nazi groups or fringe extremists. It is surfacing in mainstream entertainment, music, and politics.
Take Kanye West (Ye), for example. His 2022 statements about going “death con 3 on Jewish people” were not only shocking, but disturbingly well-received in some online circles. He repeated tired tropes about Jewish control over media and money—conspiracies that have historically fueled violence.
Candace Owens, a prominent conservative commentator, defended West’s remarks as expressions of frustration. Owens, who was let go from The Daily Wire over anti-Jewish rhetoric, had called the torturous “experiments” on Jewish and other prisoners by Dr. Josef Mengele during World War II and the Holocaust “bizarre propaganda.”
Tucker Carlson, while not openly antisemitic, has platformed voices and views that feed radical sentiments long associated with antisemitic ideologies. Even subtle repetition of “globalist” language—when left undefined—can reinforce conspiracy theories tied to Jewish people in the minds of those already predisposed to such beliefs.
We must be wise to the power of suggestion. Hatred is not always shouted—it is often whispered. And when those whispers are broadcast through podcasts, television, and social media to millions of ears, the impact is devastating.
The Media's Role in Shaping Young Minds
Today’s youth are exposed to a torrent of information, opinions, and ideologies with little discernment to separate truth from propaganda. The entertainment industry—once a place of storytelling and inspiration—now often reinforces stereotypes, bigotry, and confusion.
Shows like South Park and Family Guy have made jokes at the expense of Jewish characters for years. Eric Cartman, for example, routinely mocks Kyle for being Jewish, using slurs and reinforcing the stereotype that Jews are greedy, manipulative, or weak. While producers claim this is satire, the damage is done—especially to children who cannot yet understand the irony or challenge it.
Social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are even more influential. Viral videos often contain “edgy humor” that minimizes or denies the Holocaust, trivializes Jewish suffering, or repackages old conspiracies for a new generation.
Antisemitic hashtags trend regularly. Algorithms feed users a steady diet of content based on what they’ve previously viewed, making it easy for someone who watches a conspiracy video to be fed more and more extremist material.
Even educational institutions are complicit. Many universities today host events that cross the line from legitimate critique of Israel’s policies into outright antisemitism. Jewish students have been banned from progressive spaces, shouted down during pro-Israel events, and labeled as oppressors simply because of their heritage.
When such behavior is tolerated—or even celebrated—in academic and cultural spaces, it sends a dangerous message: antisemitism is no longer taboo.
Drawing the Line
In recent years, antisemitism has often taken the form of extreme anti-Zionism. Critics of Israel claim that they are merely opposing the policies of the Israeli government. And in a healthy democracy, critique is fair and necessary.
But many of these voices do more than critique—they seek to delegitimize Israel’s very existence. They compare Israel to apartheid regimes, call for its destruction, and glorify acts of terror against its citizens. That is not political debate—that is antisemitism.
The Bible is clear: God gave the land of Israel to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Though they were scattered for centuries, God promised to regather them in the last days:
“I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.” – Jeremiah 16:15“I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up.” – Amos 9:15
Israel is not a colonial invention—it is a prophetic fulfillment. And Satan hates every inch of it.
Zechariah 12:3 says:
“And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples… though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
That day is fast approaching. And so is the climax of global antisemitism.
Why the Church Must Care
As Christians, our faith is inextricably tied to the Jewish people. Jesus was Jewish. The apostles were Jewish. The Bible we cherish—from Genesis to Revelation—was written by Jewish hands under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
To harbor hatred or even indifference toward the Jewish people is to forget our roots. Romans 11 warns Gentile believers not to become arrogant. We were grafted into the olive tree of Israel, not the other way around. God is not finished with His people. Paul writes:
“Has God cast away His people? Certainly not!... For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” – Romans 11:1, 29
Yet too often, the Church has fallen into replacement theology—the false belief that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. This has fueled centuries of persecution and must be repented of.
We must stand with the Jewish people—not just politically, but theologically. Not because they are perfect, but because God’s covenant with them is still active. We must also pray for their salvation. Paul’s heart cry was that his fellow Jews would be saved (Romans 10:1). That must be ours as well.
What Can We Do? A Call to Action
In a world drowning in darkness, the Church must be a beacon of truth and love. Here’s how you can respond:
1. Pray for Israel and the Jewish People
Ask God to protect His people, to bring peace to Jerusalem, and to open the eyes of many to their Messiah. Pray also for Jewish believers in Jesus, who often face opposition from both Jewish and Christian communities.
2. Confront Antisemitism Where You See It
Don’t be silent when you hear Jewish slurs, jokes, or conspiracies. Speak up with truth and grace. Help others see the spiritual reality behind the hatred.
3. Educate Your Family and Church
Teach your children about the Jewish roots of their faith. Preach about Israel’s prophetic role. Host events or small groups that address antisemitism biblically.
5. Examine Your Own Heart
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any prejudices or assumptions you’ve inherited. Let the Lord purify your mind so you can walk in truth and love.
Are You Singing Louder?
Perhaps the most chilling illustration of Christian silence during the Holocaust comes from Nazi Germany itself.
A small country church stood near railroad tracks used to transport Jews to concentration camps. Every Sunday morning, as the congregation gathered to worship, they would hear the rumble of trains—followed by desperate cries for help.
The people in the boxcars were screaming. Children wept. Mothers cried out. They knew they were being sent to their deaths.
What did the church do?
They sang louder.
As the train approached, the pastor motioned to the organist. The choir raised their voices. The congregation belted out hymns—not in protest, not in prayer—but in an attempt to drown out the sound of human suffering.
They sang to silence their own consciences.
Are we doing the same today?
As antisemitism rises and Israel cries out, are we singing louder in our churches so we don’t have to engage? Are we turning up the volume on our worship while turning down the volume on God’s Word?
Silence is not neutrality. It is surrender.Indifference is not peacekeeping. It is compromise.
“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?” – Proverbs 24:11–12
Let it not be said of us that we stood by. Let it be said that when the trains passed, we wept, we prayed, and we shouted to the heavens for deliverance.
Final Word
The hatred for the Jewish people is not new—but neither is God’s faithfulness. He has preserved them through Pharaohs, Hamans, Hitlers, and Ayatollahs. And He will fulfill every promise He made to them.
Jesus is coming back—to Jerusalem, not Washington. And until He returns, may the Church not be found singing louder to drown out suffering—but crying louder for mercy, truth, and justice.
Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus.
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