The document discusses how antisemitism became embedded in early Christianity through the New Testament and church fathers, and was perpetuated for centuries. It analyzes the underlying causes including Hellenism dividing Jewish culture, Roman conquest isolating traditional Jews, and the rapid Hellenization of the Jesus movement separating Christianity from Judaism. Gentile Christians took it upon themselves to redefine Jewish scriptures and traditions in an antisemitic way. This contributed to ongoing demonization of and violence against Jews throughout history.

1. ANTISEMITISM
disguised
in
Supersessionism & Theology
embedded in the New
Testament
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2. Underlying Causes
2nd C. BCE Hellenism and Assimilation
 Samaritans deny ‘Jewish’ connection
 The War of Rome against the Jewish people
1st Century
Greek speaking Jews in Pharisaic/Rabbinic
Judea, etc and Jews
Diaspora
vs
.
Zealots,Essenes
Hellenized followers of
Jesus

3. Underlying causes:
The conquest of the Holy Land by Alexander the Great introduced
Hellenism to the Hebrews. Substantial numbers accepted Greek
language and culture and thereby create deep divisions in Jewish life
and culture. Persecution under Antiochus IV. Epiphanes deepens the
division, but Hebraists are victorious and Jerusalem Temple is
rededicated.
Roman conquest of Judea further isolates the Hebraists from the
secularists.
Resistance by Nationalists to Romanization favoured by Hellenists
Rapid Hellenization of the Jesus movement separates the church
from Judaism with a growth in anti-Jewish polemics from the
Church Fathers

4. Gentile Presumptions:
Temple destruction consequence of failure to
acknowledge Jesus as Messiah
Non-Jewish Christians take it upon themselves to
exegete Jewish Scriptures and define Jewish
traditions

5. GENTILE PRESUMPTION
CONT’D
Synoptic Gospels: John‟s Gospel: Jesus
Present a Jesus who is becomes generic and
Jewish enemy of the Jews
Opinion forming, distorting Narratives
Jews are faithless; have Roman Centurion calls
difficulty accepting Jesus‟ Jesus Lord; has faith (Matt.
8:5-8; 13)
mission
Jews are blind to Jesus Roman Centurion „sees‟!
(Matt.27:54; Mk.15:39; Lk.23:47)
Jews antagonistic Roman Graciousness;
“OTHER”, violent, mob kindness; (Acts 23)
mentality
Embodiment of
evil, bloodthirsty
Jews “sons of the devil”

6. Gentile Presumption cont’d.
The 4 Pillars of Judaism
Replaced by Christianity
 Monotheism  Divinity of Jesus
 Election  Gentiles
 Land Focused  Stephen’s Idea of
in the Temple the Temple within
 Covenant  Paul and the ‘Law’
Focused in the
Torah

7. Contributing factors: 1st to 4th
cent. C.E.
 Hellenized, Greek speaking Jews in Jerusalem, Judea
 The Zealots and various pro-temple factions
 Hellenized followers of Jesus
 Marcion and his Anti-Jewish New Testament
 The early Church Fathers
 Constantine bans Jewish festivals, the Sabbath and
circumcision

8. Contributing factors: 5th to 20th cent.
C.E.
 The New Testament
 The post-Nicene Church Fathers
 Ethos of demonization
 The Inquisition
 Martin Luther
 The 1611 King James Bible

9. Fig. 1 A map as published in the Revised Standard Version of
the Bible; publ. 1952 – the name Palestine (Palaestina) did not
come into being until more than 100 years AFTER Jesus

10. Contributing factors: 5th to 20th cent. C.E.
 Ongoing Allegorization of the Hebrew Bible (O.T.)
 Palestinianism and denial of a physical restoration

11. Common Christian Conclusions
Loss of Temple
Loss of God’s
Loss of =
Priesthood Favour
Loss of Sacrifice
...therefore:
No Temple, no priesthood, no
sacrifice, NO GOD
ERROR: Church is the New Israel and
Modern Israel is illegitimate

12. SUMMARY:
Early Christianity had a major influence in
forming the Gentile world’s opinion concerning
the Jewish people.
The compilers of the New Testament used anti-
Jewish language to perpetuate the problem
The church promoted active Jew hatred
through blood libel and the Inquisition that
lasted over 600 years.
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