“As Christians, advocating for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself represents an opportunity to affirm the Jewish people’s right for self-protection and national determination, as well as God’s faithfulness toward all people and His promises.”
Passages believes Christians should have a theology of advocacy which compels them to action. To help us explore this subject, we commissioned a paper by Passages’ Visiting Scholar, Dr. Luke Bray. Please enjoy Part 3: A Theology of Advocacy Toward the Jewish People.
Christians are called to advocate for every human’s flourishing, and yet our relationship to the Jewish people is somehow unique. We must hold these ideas in tension. The relationship between Christians and Jews is deeply intertwined and has both historical complexities and theological significance. Christians have long grappled with their role in relation to the Jewish people, vacillating between support and oppression. The majority of Christian history has not been kind to the Jewish people. Instead, until recently, many Christians collectively engaged in various forms of persecution. This included slandering the Jews, accusing them of blood lust or the murder of God. It also included forced conversions, societal or economic ostracization, and even physical harm. However, a robust theology of advocacy compels Christians to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people, recognizing their intrinsic value and the covenantal promises given to them by God.
Each Christian tradition has a unique perspective on the ongoing significance of the Jewishpeople. Even within broad categories, diverse views may be discovered, and the Church is best described as a spectrum on this issue. On one end, you may find Christian Zionism, dispensationalism, and other traditions extremely friendly to Israel and the Jewish people. On the other end, frameworks like covenantal theology often produce something called replacement theology, which seriously downplays the importance of the Jewish people in redemptive history after the life and death of Jesus. Despite these differences, Christians can find common ground which urges every follower of Jesus to demonstrate ongoing love, honor, and respect toward the Jewish people.
The biblical narrative lays an early foundation for understanding the importance of supporting the Jewish people. In Genesis 12 and 15, God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising to bless him and his descendants, and through them, to bless all nations. “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen 12:2–3, ESV). This covenant underscores the unique role of the Jewish people as the chosen instruments through whom God's redemptive plan for humanity unfolds.
Furthermore, the apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans (9-11), provides theological insights into the significance of the Jewish people within God’s salvific plan. He emphasizes that the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God (Romans 3:2), safeguarding the revelation of God for the benefit of all people. Paul underscores the irrevocable nature of God's gifts and selection of the Jewish people, highlighting their beloved status in God's sight, “As regards election, [the Jewish people] are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:28–29, ESV).
In Romans 11, Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to illustrate the relationship between Jews and Gentile Christians within the context of God's covenantal promises. He warns Gentile believers against arrogance towards the Jewish branches, reminding them that they are grafted into the tree of God’s covenant, sustained by the root of God’s faithfulness (Romans 11:18). This imagery underscores the interconnectedness of Jews and Christians within the overarching narrative of God’s redemption. Paul's theological reflection emphasizes the familial connection between Jews and Gentile Christians, urging mutual honor and compassionate care. He affirms the foundational role of the Jewish people in God's redemptive plan and emphasizes the continuity of God’s promises throughout history.
As Christians, our advocacy for the Jewish people goes beyond historical restitution for the sins of the past; it is rooted in a theological understanding of God's ongoing covenantal relationship with His chosen people.6 Within broader Christendom, there is no clear consensus whether the modern state of Israel is the recipient of all God’s promises either to the Jewish people or regarding the end times, and it is fair to disagree on this matter agreeably. Nevertheless, the rebirth and survival of the state of Israel stands as clear testimony that God still loves the Jewish people and has plans for them. Israel stands today as a beacon of hope and refuge for the Jewish people—a testament to their resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It also stands as an example of religious pluralism in the Middle East. As Christians, advocating for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself represents an opportunity to affirm the Jewish people’s right for self- protection and national determination, as well as God's faithfulness toward all people and His promises.
As Christians we must also care for our community and the neighbors nearest to us, which includes the American Jewish community. Considering the atrocities committed against the Jewish people throughout history, including the horrors of the Holocaust and the devastating attacks beginning on October 7, 2023, our responsibility to stand in solidarity and defend their rights and dignity is paramount. After the Oct 7 attacks in Israel, antisemitism rose nearly 400% in the United States. In a sinister twist, American Jews more and more frequently find themselves also under attack, regardless of their connection to Israel. Many do not feel safe at their places of worship or community centers. At school or on college campuses, Jewish students are subjected to chants praising terrorists, or they are told to “go back to Poland” and “Hitler was right.” Christians cannot merely standby in this new reality. If the church is to be a prophetic witness, we must declare that there is no place for this evil in our communities.
In conclusion, this paper serves as a clarion call for Christians to embrace a theology of advocacy that extends beyond individual concerns to encompass the broader scope of justice and solidarity with marginalized communities. Grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ and undergirded by Old and New Testament teaching, the call to advocacy compels believers to emulate Christ's compassion, justice, and solidarity with the vulnerable.
The first section, ‘What Does it Mean to Be an Advocate?' explored the theological underpinnings of advocacy, highlighting the role of the Holy Spirit as the ultimate advocate and drawing parallels between Jesus’ ministry and the call for believers to advocate for justice and righteousness in their communities.
Building upon this foundation, the second section, “Why Must Christians Serve as Advocates?" explored the theological imperative for Christians to advocate for justice, grounded in the recognition of the Imago Dei, the pursuit of justice and righteousness, and the transformative power of love and compassion. By affirming the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, irrespective of their circumstances, Christians are called to act as a prophetic witness championing the rights and dignity of all people, echoing God's concern for the vulnerable. Finally, “A Theology of Advocacy Toward the Jewish People’ examined the theological significance of advocating for the Jewish community, recognizing their unique role in God's redemptive plan and affirming their rights and dignity. Christians have unfortunately done great harm to the Jewish people throughout history, but that does not reflect God’s heart or Jesus’ commands. Just as Jesus calls us to follow Him in advocating for the marginalized and oppressed, Christians are called to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people, supporting their desire for safety, security, and self-determination.
As we consider the important role of Christian advocacy, may we be guided by love, compassion, and a deep commitment to justice, embodying the transformative power of the Gospel in our interactions with the world around us. Let us heed the call to stand in solidarity with the marginalized, defend the rights and dignity of all people, and uphold the principles of justice and righteousness in our communities and beyond. In doing so, we fulfill our mandate as followers of Christ and bear witness to the redemptive love of God in a broken world.
