Digging Deep – An Important Call to Combat Antisemitism 

By Dave McGarrah 

I remember sitting with my friend and radio co-host on the steps of a quiet synagogue in Idaho a few years ago. We were talking about the beauty of the Torah and the shared roots of our faith. But lately, those conversations have taken on a somber tone. As we look at the headlines across the United States in 2026, we are witnessing something that many of us hoped was a ghost of the past: a virulent, unapologetic rise in antisemitism. 

From college campuses in the Ivy League to the rural streets of Idaho, the “oldest hatred” has found new life. According to recent data from early 2026, antisemitic propaganda distribution has spiked by over 360%, and nearly three-fourths of American Jews report experiencing or witnessing antisemitism online. 

As Christians, we cannot afford the luxury of silence. We are not called to be bystanders in history; we are called to be salt and light. But to respond effectively, we must first understand the root of this hatred and our biblical mandate to stand against it. 

The Root of the Rot 

Antisemitism is not merely a social or political phenomenon; it is a spiritual pathology. In the Book of Revelation, we see the dragon’s relentless pursuit of “the woman who gave birth to the male child” (Revelation 12:13). Throughout history, the enemy has sought to destroy the Jewish people because they are the vessel through which the Word of God and the Messiah entered the world. 

When we see the rise of anti-Jewish bigotry, we are seeing the “antichrist spirit” at work. It seeks to steal, kill, and destroy the people who remain, as Zechariah 2:8 describes, the “apple of God’s eye.” We must also be honest about our own history. For centuries, a “Replacement Theology” – the idea that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan – was used to justify horrific persecution. But the Apostle Paul is clear in Romans 11:1: “I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means!” If we claim to love the God of Israel, we cannot hate the people of Israel. 

A Biblical Framework for Our Response 

How should the follower of Christ respond to this rising tide? I believe our mandate is three-fold: Education, Exposure, and Engagement. 

1. Education: Reclaiming Our Jewish Roots

At Master Minded Ministries, our mission has always been to help Christians understand that our faith didn’t start in a vacuum. We are “wild olive shoots” grafted into the rich root of the Jewish olive tree (Romans 11:17). 

• Study the Scriptures:When werealize that Jesus was a Torah-observant Jew, that the Apostles were Jewish, and that our Bible was written almost entirely by Jewish hands, antisemitism becomes an assault on our own heritage. 
• Reject Replacement Theology:We must teach our congregations that God’s covenants are “irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). The Church is the “Body of Christ,” but Israelremains God’s “Firstborn Son.” 

2. Exposure: Calling Out the Darkness

Ephesians 5:11 commands us to “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”Antisemitism often hides behind the veil of “political critique” or “social justice.” While we can have nuanced views on geopolitics, we must have zero tolerance for rhetoric that dehumanizes Jewish people or denies their right to exist. Whether it’s a school board candidate in our backyard or a viral social media post, we must be the first to say, “Not on our watch.” 

3. Engagement: Becoming a “Wall of Protection”

True compassion is not a feeling; it is an action. In 1940s Europe, it was the “Righteous Among the Nations” – many of them motivated by their Christian faith – who risked everything to hide their Jewish neighbors. Today, we may not be hiding people in attics, but we are called to be a different kind of refuge. 

• Show Up:Visit a local synagogue. Reach out to Jewish neighbors and simply ask, “How are you doing? I want you to know I am standing with you.”
• Speak Up:In a world where 90% of American Jews feel less safe than they did two years ago, our vocal supportis a lifeline. 
• Pray Unceasingly:Psalm 122:6 commands us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”This is not a suggestion; it is a biblical imperative. 

The Stakes of Our Silence 

I’ve traveled to Israel over 50 times. I’ve stood at the Western Wall and walked the hills of Judea. Every time I go, I am reminded that the Jewish people are not just a historical curiosity – they are a living testimony to God’s faithfulness. 

If we remain silent as our Jewish brothers and sisters are targeted, we are not just failing a community; we are failing our Lord. Jesus told us that whatever we do for the “least of these brothers and sisters of mine,” we do for Him (Matthew 25:40). 

A Final Word of Hope 

The rise of antisemitism is a dark cloud, but the Light of the World is greater. This is our moment to be a “Ruth” to the Jewish “Naomi,” saying, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). 

Let us be a generation of Christians who do not look away. Let us be the ones who love so loudly that the whispers of hatred are drowned out. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is watching – and He is calling us to stand. 

Master Minded Ministries is dedicated to teaching the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. For more resources on how to support Israel and combat antisemitism, visit us at mastermindedministries.org. 

Pastor Dave McGarrah is founder, with his wife, of Master Minded Ministries. Master Minded Ministries exists to help people see the world through the lens of Scripture, encouraging them to stay vigilant, be prayerful, and keep their eyes on the King of Kings. An MMM event is held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday nights at Nampa Christian High School. For more information, email pastordave@deerflat.org.