The Grey Book: A collection of protests against anti-semitism and the persecution of Jews issued by non-Roman Catholic churches and church leaders during Hitlers ruleSnoek, Johan M.
Religion
The Grey Book: A collection of protests against anti-semitism and the persecution of Jews issued by non-Roman Catholic churches and church leaders during Hitlers rule
Snoek, Johan M.
Antisemitism; Christianity and other religions -- Judaism; Judaism -- Relations -- Christianity; Protestant churches -- Europe
"We desire to record our conviction that in contemporary anti-Semitism we
face an extraordinary menace against which all Christians must be warned.
All forms of hatred and persecution must be deplored by Christians, and
their victims must be succoured; but there exists to-day a type of racial
anti-Semitic propaganda inspired by hatred of everything springing from
Jewish sources; and this creates more crucial issues for Christianity than
ordinary outbursts of race feeling.
Christian Churches must be warned that they cannot be silent in the presence
of this propaganda, still less connive at or participate in the extension
of its errors and falsehoods, without betraying Christ, undermining the
basis of the Church, and incurring the most severe judgment of God.
The Christian Church must let no doubt about this attitude prevail in
the eyes of the world. Realizing that enmity to the Jews has now become
a cloak for the forces of anti-Christ, and conceals hatred for Christ
and His Gospel, the Christian Church must reject anti-Semitism with
complete conviction. <95>
To realize its true nature and to vindicate its right to the title of
the 'Body of Christ', the Church must preach the Gospel and open its
fellowship to men of all race, including the Jews. Our mission to the
Jews cannot consistently be carried out without at the same time combating
anti-Semitism among Christians,
and giving more tangible evidence than has been given of our sympathy with
Jews and Hebrew Christians in their present distress.
Anti-Semitism can and should be combated systematically:
1. By suitable literature, capable of influencing specially wide classes,
also by sustained treatment in Christian Reviews and newspapers.
2. By occasional conversations, discussions, and lectures, on the destiny
and the hope of the people of Israel.
3. By sincere and friendly discussion between Jews and Christians.
4. By the realization among Christians of the treasures committed to them
(Christianizing of Christians)." [238]
The same Committee submitted the following resolution to the Oxford
Conference, in 1937:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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