Breaking the Silence: Stepping Away From Fallen Heroes Who Attack Jews

What is the root that supports the antisemitic leaves of this tree?  It is a poisonous root: Replacement Theology. When the identities of “Israel” and “the Church” are blended or merged as one, it always leads to Jew-hatred. Israel and the Gentile church are two separate entities with different origins, missions, and destinies. The Replacement Theology mindset denies Israel its vital place in God’s program, makes God out to be a liar, and lays the foundation for Jew-hatred.

And so, as enticing as it was to be in the Hebrew Roots community, with keeping Sabbath, and celebrating the Biblical feasts, this “dark side” of the Hebrew Roots world was revealed, especially after the Oct 7 atrocities. A good friend of mine, Eliyahu Berkowitz, exposed this “dirty little secret” in his article, “The Worst Jew Hater I Met.”

The reading of that article brought me to an even deeper level of repentance. Not that I ever aligned with the antisemitic views exposed in that article. But I had been associated with others in my community who did have those beliefs.  

And so, I must confess to my Jewish friends: I repent in ashes and dust for my former association with the Hebrew Roots movement. I am ashamed of those in the Hebrew Roots community who have expressed such hateful attitudes towards the Jewish people. I ask your forgiveness…and pray that you can forgive me. I want to express only love, support, and service to the Jewish people. You are the apple of God’s eye. I love who He loves. He loves you so very, very much! And so do I!

Sometimes when you repent, it can feel like you just came out of the spin cycle of the dryer. The room can feel like it is literally spinning. This 180-degree change in my thinking led to a change in behavior and a big course correction. I could not be associated with these attitudes and beliefs! After much prayer, it was my decision to step back and step away from the Hebrew Roots community. 

I add this caveat: Not ALL people in the Hebrew roots movement have these anti-semitic attitudes and beliefs. There are many good people in the movement and many of them are my dear friends. But the problem is pervasive enough that it would be wise for the leaders in the movement to speak up and speak out against the Jew hatred and to teach the community (from the scriptures) what God’s heart is for Israel and the Jewish people.

One leader, Albert McCarn, has addressed this issue head on, in his excellent book: 

Christian Zionism 101: Ten Reasons Christians Should Support Israel and the Jewish People

Not long after October 7, I began searching for a new faith community to align with.  To my great delight, I found Calvary Chapel. I began listening to Jack Hibbs on YouTube, who is one of the great teachers in this denomination.  He consistently expresses unwavering support for Israel. I found Pastor Carl Palinkas of Church on the Rock, who unequivocally states:

“Christians who know their Bibles will love and support Israel.”

And so, I set a new course and began fellowshipping on Sunday with my new Calvary Chapel family. It is now a joy and a delight to fellowship with other “Christian Zionists” who love and support the land and people of Israel. Those are my kind of people!

I share my journey with you, dear readers, in hopes that in sharing some of my errors and failures that you may learn from them… and avoid them.

May we ALL STAND STRONG in SUPPORT of the land and people of Israel, for truly this is the heart of God as revealed in His Holy Word.  May we NOT BE SILENT, but may we speak out whenever and wherever we see Jew hatred raising its ugly head!

Am Yisrael chai!