OUR DEBT TO THE JEWS? – (1)
A RESPONSE TO A SERMON BY DR. H. PAT ALBRIGHT
“It isn’t what we don’t know that gives us trouble; it’s what we know that ain’t so.” (Will Rogers)
A Presbyterian friend handed me a sermon he had recently heard at his home church. Puzzled and concerned by the content he asked me to comment on it. After reading the text, I understood why he was troubled. The complete text of the sermon is presented here for review. My comments follow.
Isaiah 51:1-6: Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord, look to the rock from which You were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, but I blessed him and made him many. For the Lord will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord, joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples. I will bring near my deliverance swiftly, my salvation has gone out and my arms will rule the peoples: the coastlands wait for me, and for my arm they hope. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended.
The Sermon Message:
OUR DEBT TO THE JEWS
The Reverend Dr. H. Pat Albright
May 7, 2006
Westminster Presbyterian Church
2040 Washington Road
Upper St. Clair, PA 15241
Church Office: 412.835.6630
www.westminsterchurch.org
Tonight at Beth El Congregation at 7:00 p.m. we will observe our annual Holocaust observance. I will be one of the participants. It is a South Hills Interfaith Ministries service. I remind you that Westminster Presbyterian Church was a major founder of this important organization.
It is appropriate on occasion to retrace the family tree, to see who our forbears were, to check the roots of Our family traditions. There is an old story about three Jewish gentlemen who immigrated to New York City from Europe. These three covenanted to meet again in another 25 years. They were dining at the Waldorf-Astoria. The natural leader said, “When I came to this country, I had no idea what to do. And since my name is Goldsmith, I decided to go into the gold business.” “Interesting,” said the second man, “since my name is Silverstein, I went into the silver business. It, too, has been a very successful business.” That is when the third immigrant spoke up and said, “Well my name is Taylor and I knew I would never make much money as a tailor, so I told God if he would make me wealthy, I would make him my business partner.” “And what happened,” asked the two friends. “Well,” said the third businessman with a smile, “maybe you’ve heard of the clothing store called Lord & Taylor.” Well you know that God and the Jews have been in business together for a long time. About 4,000 years ago a new nation was created. Abraham and Sarah were the parents for this new nation.
I
We are thinking about our debt to the Jews …. We do this at a time when there is fresh evidence of the virulence of anti-Semitism among us. And it is complicated by modern day Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. Nevertheless, we must recognize anti-Semitism as the most shameful and scandalous part of Christian history. Throughout the history of the church, Christians (so-called) have belittled the Old Testament and spread contempt and hostility for the Jews. This bore dreadful fruit in the Spanish Inquisition and the Nazi death camps. Just as an aside, it is so easy today to condemn the radical Muslims and to forget that Adolph Hitler, in the worst crimes against humanity, spoke of his Christian faith. He was a baptized Roman Catholic. Many Lutherans and Catholics of his day joined in the Nazi movement. It is a tragic truth that the most likely candidates for anti-Semitism are found within the Christian church. Recent studies of Sunday school literature have underlined passages that have contributed to hatred of the Jews.
We may help the course of truth and brotherhood-sisterhood if we take time in the morning to examine the “rock from which we were hewn” and to acknowledge our historical, theological and ethical dependence on the Jews; and, indeed, to be thankful for it.
We are indebted to the Jews for the greatest idea that humanity has ever had – the idea of ethical monotheism . There was a time when humanity believed that there were many gods. Each family and then each tribe had its own particular god. Then, as understanding and communication grew, we began to believe there was a God for every nation. Then the ancient Jewish prophets, particularly Isaiah set forth the idea that there was one God for the whole universe. That is monotheism.
Our Jewish ancestors added another dimension to this belief in one God. They said that this God who created and ruled the world cares about right and wrong. He expects human beings to walk in the ways of righteousness, to serve the cause of justice and truth. That is called ethical monotheism. This is the obligation we feel to seek the truth and to speak it, to ascertain what is just and just do it! We discover through this sense of “oughtness” how to treat others. These and other obligations are a part of the sense of “oughtness” that nudges our conscience and lifts the quality of our personal and social living. We owe this sense of responsibility for truth, justice, and goodness to the prophets of Israel. It has not only made possible a better life for all of us, but it is also the ground of our hope for a world community of justice and freedom and truth. It was the Jews who first proclaimed this, the greatest idea that ever came to humans, the idea that there is one God in the universe and that he cares about right and wrong. That’s the belief in ethical monotheism.
II
Secondly, we are indebted to the Jews for the greatest piece of literature our world has known, the Bible! Every word of it was written by Jews. No matter when you open it, it is a remarkable collection of writings. Archaeologists use it as an indispensable dating tool and a location for ancient cities. Anthropologists study it to receive descriptions of the customs of older cultures. But the Bible is more than that. It was written by people who were trying to keep sensitive to what it is that God expects of us. Our Jewish ancestors were sensitive and socially responsible. They listened and thought and acted. And, thank God, they wrote down what they heard and thought and did. That’s why it is such a precious document. It is full of language that describes us as a people – “salt of the earth, ” “mess of pottage, ” “labor of love, ” “valley of decision, ” “drop in the bucket, ” “apple of the eye,” “wolf in sheep’s clothing, ” “a house divided against itself” “clear as crystal, ” and a legion of other phrases.
What Christian would want to live without Psalm 23 or Psalm 121 – or John 14 – “In my Father’s House are many dwelling places,” or the comparable love story of Ruth – the impact of law in the Ten Commandments? It is truly the best for inspiration and aspiration – written over a 2000 year period of time by people who faced the same dilemmas as do we. It is a book about God and us.
III
Once more, and in the third place, we are indebted to the Jews for the greatest technique for survival – “the idea of the faithful remnant.” When a good cause seems lost, we don’t give up hope because we believe God has a way of winning with only a fraction of the whole, even with a minority of one. It was Isaiah who lifted up this idea of the usefulness of a faithful ministry. One commentator put it this way:
“Isaiah based his hope for Israel not on Israel as a whole for Israel was too corrupt and disobedient – but on a righteous remnant ”
For the first time in our religious tradition, this prophet stated the doctrine of salvation by a minority. Jeremiah was another whose life was a colorful affirmation of this confidence that God will ultimately win through the vitality of a faithful few. So Jesus told his disciples to have faith in the power of a small mustard seed. And St. Paul affirmed his faith in the power of a faithful remnant.
If you look at history you will see the truth of this in the names of folks who signed minority reports which in due time became majority actions. Last week’s obituaries of John Kenneth Galbreath gave a classic example of one who generations ago made major suggestions for our capitalistic society only to have to wait for fulfillment.
IV
Fourthly, and lastly, we are indebted to the Jews for the greatest person our world has ever known. Jesus was born and bred a Jew. Both of his parents were Jews. All of his disciples were Jews. The entire early Christian church was Jewish. If you were here on Palm and Passion Sunday, you may remember that I sketched his very Jewish life. Biologically, spiritually, politically, and intellectually, Jesus was a Jew. And we are indebted to the Jews for Jesus.
Which brings me back to the opening rationale – anti-Semitism. I am remembering a time when Bishop Sheen, of the Roman Catholic Church, dropped in on an extreme right-wing” Christian” (?) group. He listened while speaker after speaker exploited the fears and anxieties of the crowd. The speakers were all racist and anti-Semitic. He said he stood it as long as he could and then he asked for the floor. He pleaded for love and brotherhood, but the plea was lost on that crowd. They hissed and booed and called him names. As he walked down the aisle, they continued to taunt him. Then a woman stepped into the aisle in front of him. She said – “I am a Catholic. You are not a Catholic. You’re no bishop. God damn you!, ‘Nigger lover’! ‘Jew lover!’ You’re no bishop – Rabbi Sheen.” Then she cleared her throat and spat on his face. Slowly the bishop turned the other check. The woman grew rigid and then began to shake violently. Bishop Sheen said “Rabbi” “That’s what they called our Lord” And he walked out in a cloud of glory. As you receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion today – renew your faith and be thankful!
End of Sermon Message
THE RESPONSE TO THE SERMON MESSAGE
Examining Dr. Albright’s notions has been an interesting exercise, for in order to provide proper documentation I have had the happy experience of returning to sources studied many years ago. The sources are dependably accurate and free from bias. A list of them is provided at the end, in a bibliography of sorts.
The commentary that follows is quite extensive, for I felt it necessary to include sufficient Scripture [1] and secular material to support the facts. The general format is to refer to God’s Word and then to the secular data on most points.
“Thy word is true from the beginning, and everyone of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever”. Psalm 119:1
Dr. Albright contends that we are indebted to the Jews for:
1). “…the greatest idea that humanity ever had, the idea of Ethical Monotheism;”
2). “…the greatest piece of literature our world has ever known, the Bible;”
3). “…the greatest technique for survival – the idea of the faithful remnant;”
4). “…the greatest person our world has ever known, Jesus, was born and bred a Jew.”
Dr. Albright bases these assertions on two faulty premises:
1. Contemporary Jews are descended from the Biblical tribe of Judah.
2. All the major actors in the Bible from Abraham to Jesus were Jews.
He preaches what he has been taught, that Christianity originates from Judaism (from which arises the term Judeo-Christianity) and that the Jews are all Israel. The truth is that Christianity is based on the religion of the ancient Hebrews, whereas Judaism is based on the religion of the ancient Babylonians. Judeo-Christianity is a classic oxymoron. The following analysis of “Our Debt to the Jews” proves that:
1. Contemporary Jews are not descendants of the Biblical tribe of Judah and are not Israelites;
2. The major Old Testament actors, beginning with Abraham, were Hebrews and later Hebrew/Israelites, indicating their descent from the Jacob branch of their Hebrew antecedents Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob;
3. Israelites, not Jews, wrote the Bible as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit;
4. Jesus was born and bred of the royal stock of Judah and contemporary Jews are not of this same lineage;
and
5. That Judaism derives from the Babylonian Talmud and is not the religion of the ancient Israelites.
1. Contemporary Jews are not Descendants of the Biblical Tribe of Judah and are not Israelites
A. Testimony of the Bible and Contemporary Jews
Sir Arthur Koestler, a Jew, writes in The Thirteenth Tribe that 95% of 20th Century Jews, who emigrated from the Kingdom of the Khazars on the Russia Steppes, were converted to Judaism, ca 740 AD, by Edomite Jews. Quite properly, these contemporary Jews are known as Ashkenazim, because they are descendants of Ashkenaz, a son of Gomer, the eldest son of Japheth. Shem, a brother of Japheth, is the progenitor of Abraham and Abraham’s descendants are properly called Shemites from whom Semites (true Israelites) take their identification.
Sir Arthur Koestler writes further that 5% of 20th Century Jews are descended in part from post-exile Judahites known as Sephardic Jews (because their ancestors emigrated to Spain and Portugal) who, at the time of Christ, had largely intermarried with Edomites, who are a Canaanite people and not Israelites.
The Book of Genesis helps trace the genealogy of the Ashkenazim Jews and the true Israelites.
Genesis 6:10: “And Noah begat three sons, Shem. Ham, and Japheth. “ (Emphasis added)
The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. (Ashkenaz is the progenitor of the Ashkenazim Jews.) Genesis 10:2-3 (Emphasis added) The Book of Genesis and the First Book of Chronicles trace the lineage of the Israelites.
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. {Arphaxad: Heb. Arpachshad} Genesis 10:22 (Emphasis added)
The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad,…. 18 And Arphaxad begat Shelah, and Shelah begat Eber (from which the word “Hebrew” is derived). 19 And unto Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg. 24 Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah, I Chronicles 1:24, Arphaxad, Shelah, 25 Eber, Peleg, Reu, 26 Serug, Nahor, Terah, 27 Abram; the same is Abraham. I Chronicles 1:17 (Emphasis added) Shem is the progenitor of the true Israelites through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Gospel of Matthew details our Lord’s ancestry beginning with Abraham. Matthew 1:1-2 reads:
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren”. (Emphasis added)
Jacob became Israel, as Genesis 32:28 relates:
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Israel: that is, A prince of God) (Emphasis added)
About the Ashkenazim Jews [descendants of one of the sons of Japheth as told in Genesis 10:2-3 above] prominent Jewish anti-Zionist author and lawyer, Dr. Alfred M. Lilienthal writes:
“These Ashkenazim Jews (as Jews of Eastern Europe are called), whose numbers were swelled by Jews who fled from Germany at the time of the Crusades and during the Black Death, have little or no trace of Semitic blood.
Here’s a paradox, a paradox, a most ingenious paradox: an anthropological fact, many Christians may have more Hebrew-Israelite blood in their veins than most of their Jewish neighbours.” (2)
Sir Arthur Koestler writes about Ashkenazim Jews:
“…genetically they are more closely related to the Hun, Uigur and Magyar tribes than to the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” (3)
The Jewish Almanac, October 1980, under the title “Identity Crisis” writes:
” Strictly speaking, it is incorrect to call an ancient Israelite a Jew or to call a contemporary Jew an Israelite or a Hebrew.”
The Ashkenazim Jews (95% of Contemporary Jews, per Koestler) are descendants of pagan, non-Semitic people of the steppes of Russia. The Jewish Encylopedia, 1901 ed., Vol. IV, pp. 1-2, states:
“It was probably about that time [679 A.D.l that the chagan of the Chazars [Khazars] and his grandees, together with a large number of his heathen people, embraced the Jewish religion. According to A.Harkavy … the conversion took place in 620; according to others, in 740 … It was one of the successors of Bulan [the chagan], named Obadiah, who regenerated the kingdom and strengthened the Jewish religion. He invited Jewish scholars to settle in his dominion, and founded synagogues and schools. The people were instructed in the Bible, Mishnah, and Talmud …. and it may be assumed that in the ninth century many Chazar heathens became Jews, owing to the religious zeal of King Obadiah. His grandees, together with a large number of his heathen people, embraced the Jewish religion.“
END of part one: To be continued
