SOME OF THE ROOTS OF ANTI-JEWISH HOSTILITY IN THE TEACHINGS OF THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH.

A THEORY EXPOUNDED  BY LACTANIUS AND AUGUSTINE THAT THE SOLE REASON FOR THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE AFTER THEIR REJECTION OF CHRIST WAS THAT THEY REMAIN AS A  “WITNESS PEOPLE” TO  THE  TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE  AND THAT THE CHURCH IS THE GUARDIAN OF THOSE TRUTHS .

     It was thought that the existence of the Jewish race was a proof of God’s judgement upon unbelievers, and that judgement took the form of subjection  and domination by other nations. The depressed status of Judaism compared with the ascendancy of the church was another proof that the church alone contained the truths of scripture.

    AGAINST  THIS :-

     The Jews, whatever their beliefs, are a testimony to the reality of God as their Creator and His election of that race. That race continues to live as a sign of God’s grace towards who still persist in unbelief towards their Messiah, not a s sign of His judgement upon unbelievers . The Jews are still a testimony to the truth that God sent His Son, born of Jews, and that He is the end of the Law and the prophets.

    The witness of the Jewish people is that their survival points to the faithfulness of God in regard to His promises and of the everlasting covenant He made with the ancestor of that race,- See Gen.ch,17,v.19; Ezek. ch,37,v.24/28.

    Any judgement upon unbelieving Israel is a spiritual hardening and resistance towards His Messiah, not a human judgement, such as oppression and persecution,- See Isaiah,ch,6,v.9/10; ch.29,v.10 and Romans ,ch.11,v.7/10.