Conclusion:
Philosopher, scientist, and mathematician, Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) made a point about humanity’s unique ability to perform the greatest acts and works of beauty as well the greatest acts and acts of terror. He posits that no theory on human nature could be valid without taking into account and responding to these two unique extremes. He thus lends considerable weight to the Biblical doctrine of the fall of humanity into sin.
The two unique extremes being that we were created in God’s image therefore, enabling beautiful acts but that we have fallen into sin therefore, enabling horrendous acts. This tendency to the extremes of our nature are plainly seen in Christianity. Since it has been, at once, persecutors of the Jews as well as some of the greatest supporters.
That “Christians” have used “the Jews killed Jesus” as an excuse to persecute Jews takes us into the very heart of humanity’s tendency towards inhumanity. It is very important to understand that when people are filled with sin, hatred, envy, or what have you, they will use any excuse to express it and take it out on others. Thus, we find that in order to fallaciously attempt to substantiate violent persecution and even warfare some people appeal to politics, some to religion, some to atheism, some to skin color, etc., etc.
Thus, in the case of “Christian” persecution of the Jewish people we find the outworking of the dark side of human nature and not an outworking of the teachings of Jesus, the New Testament as a whole, nor strictly Bible-based Christianity. We have come to this determination because such treatment of the Jews, or any other peoples for that matter, is not the least bit sanctioned and is actually spoken out against by Jesus, His Apostles, and the New Testament as a whole.
I have a friend whose father is German. My friend told my friend that his father hates Jews because they killed Jesus. Mind you; his father is not even a Christian. The point that this drove home to me is that people will hate people for whatever reason if they have a reason at all. I also cannot understand the logic behind hating the ancestors of someone who committed a terrible evil. How much more of a right do I have for hating my friend’s father for murdering over six million of my own people and circa six million others? Of course, I do not hate him. Rather, I pity him.
What is really significant in understanding “Christian” persecution of Jews, or any other peoples, is that they could not back up this persecution with a plain reading of the text of Scripture. In other words, we must differentiate between what the Bible says and what individuals claim. Even if, or especially, if they say that the Bible says so and so it is an orthodox Biblical teaching that we ought to take whatever we are taught about the Bible and check it against the Bible itself in order to assure accurate representation. If it is not being represented accurately then we are under absolutely no obligation to follow what an individual says (or what a religious hierarchy says)—as per Acts 17:11.
through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body,
and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus
— Ephesians 3:6 ‹ “The Jews” in the New Testament, part 3 of 4 up