[Addendum: It’s been a while since posting this, and Mr. Stevenson has apologized to me. Consequently, I may at some point in the future do something “on air” with him, thought not on this show. In short, he did the right thing. That’s all I know. I don’t monitor his content and don’t intend to. Other than what you can read below, here is my (very low) opinion of anti-Semitism. It has no place, not only in the Church, but anywhere in the civilized world. Since I’ve done hundreds of interviews, I’m guessing that there may be some other instance where a host of a show I’ve been on may be guilty of anti-Semitic thought. Let it be known, though, that I think that’s evil and would not knowingly endorse the idea or any part of it. I just can’t control what people think or how they might use my appearance. You never do. If anyone has a concern, just email me. –MSH]
Hi everyone. I just wanted to leave a note for Google’s searchbots about my appearances on Paul E. Stevenson’s Revolutions Radio show. I won’t be appearing on it again. An unfortunate but necessary decision.
This past week I was alerted to the fact (by my kids, no less, and my wife and some of her friends) that my name kept appearing in connection with this show and Jewish conspiracy / anti-Semitic material. Turns out that Paul has had a couple folks on his show promoting Jewish conspiracy stuff. Yours truly of course gets linked with that because I’ve been on the show. It won’t happen again.
So let’s be clear (and write it in the third person so search engines catch it):
Mike Heiser is opposed to anti-Semitism. It’s sin to target anyone as evil-minded because of their ethnicity. It’s wicked to spout conspiracy theories that, at best, apply only to select individuals in government power. It’s akin to blaming Americans for what a handful of politicians do. or blaming all Hispanics for our immigration problem. But given the long, awful history of anti-Semitism in the 20th and 21st centuries, Jewish conspiracy talk is worse. It adds fuel to the fire of anti-Semitism which, like any other targeting of people for ethnicity, is morally wrong. On top of that, it’s contrary to the gospel. How does promoting such “conversation” show the love of Christ of build bridges to people who need Christ? It doesn’t. It makes people glad other people are lost. That really is where so many people take this “discussion.” That’s sin. Where is “my heart’s desire for Israel is that they believe”?
This is all part of the dark side of Christian Middle Earth. It’s part of the answer as to why scholars (and other folks) will simply not traffic in Christian Middle Earth. Imagine the thrill of having your kids, your wife, and your wife’s friends wonder (on social media in some cases) why my name comes up with such bile. Granted, people who know me are going to get what’s going on, but I no doubt will have to field questions from students, employers, pastors, etc. That show hosts think they are doing the work of God by linking people on their shows with this sort of material is very poor thinking. It’s time that Christians who traffic in these areas start using their heads (and maybe their hearts) and take the long look at the effects of their decisions. Maybe Paul doesn’t believe what these guests say about “the Jews.” I have no reason to think Paul is himself anti-Semitic. I don’t think that’s the case. But I have to post something online about all this to make it clear that I don’t want the association with his other guests and their beliefs.
As readers know, I was ambushed once on an anti-Semitic show a few years ago and blogged about it (no link because I don’t desire them to get any traffic). Just two weeks ago I was booked on a show whose host (apparently) appeared on an anti-Semitic, holocaust-denying show. I’ve inquired about why they went on, but have only received a denial that they did the show — and subsequent silence about how the link got on the anti-Semitic website. Hopefully, this host has a good explanation, but I need them to tell me what it is.
So where does this leave me? In a word: disheartened. Another soul-crushing moment courtesy of Christian Middle Earth. It goes in the same drawer as the flat-earthers, the “someone time traveled and changed the Bible” Mandela Effect idiocy, and the Hebrew Roots extremists (i.e., 21st century Judaizers – let’s add the law to the gospel, or just dump Jesus altogether). But given the legacy of misery it has sown, anti-Semitism is worse than all of them.
In practical terms, I will simply be doing fewer interviews. This post will no doubt mean show hosts will never invite me. GOOD. You have my anticipatory thanks. I’ve decided as well to form an anonymous online committee that I will ask to vet speaking requests for me. That email will go out in a day or so. I just need more sets of eyes to vet (okay, use the word “stalk” if you like it) requests I get. I need help managing some time there.
Lastly, if you’re a Christian anti-semite (nice oxymoron — the apostles would love that one), don’t bother posting comments to this post or emailing me to burst a vein in cyberspace, or for a “discussion” of it. What you believe is a waste of my time, and everyone else’s. Ditto for the other items mentioned above. You’ll be blocked and filtered out. I won’t draw traffic to the sites you’ll send me. The purpose of my online presence is not to draw attention to this material. You can get your own blog and post those links.
—
I guess I live under a rock. I had no idea that anti-Semitism was so prevalent among Christians.
I was your neighbor under the rock.
I have never heard of this guy or his show. It’s sad to hear this has happened.
Sincerely disappointed in you Mike. You have to take a stand for truth and not hide from the idiots who can manipulate and control you by threatening your “reputation”. We live IN THE WORLD and you can’t walk here without getting dirt on your shoes. To discover the truth you may have to walk through places that are uncomfortable and set you up for misunderstanding by others, but if you continue to run from controversy…you will end up simply being irrelevant. “Woe unto you when all men speak well of you…”
Please pray about taking more risks with your audience and risk reaching some people who might not otherwise hear your voice anywhere else!
Love you Brother. You have been an inspiration to me over the years!
Craig Smith
San Jose,
CA
Not sure why this is a disappointment. Jews aren’t evil. 9-11 was a sin problem, not a racial/ethnic problem. There are bad Jews and bad Gentiles. Christians ought to seek the salvation of everyone. Where’s the problem here?
Even with understanding, and some sympathy, of Craig’s comment I was inspired by your reaction, Mike. I don’t read an ignorance of “THE WORLD” in your post or stance. I read a spiritual instinct to avoid even the appearance of impropriety so that others may not stumble. You wrote that Paul E. S. Was likely not in sin, here, so the matter is well-addressed and fair in my view. Wisdom in council, indeed, brother. Terence
thanks.
Contrary to Craig’s comments… I applaud you, Mike! By taking the stand of ANTI-anti-Semitism, you ARE taking a stand for truth. Stepping out of a lion’s den is not hiding, it’s wisdom. The “lions” are welcome to come and chase you “in the open”, where I’m sure you wouldn’t hide, but would take them on without the smoke and mirrors that these types like to set up around themselves. Living “in the world” does not allow freedom to be unwise about our choices. Indeed, we are “in the world” BUT we are not “of the world”, and in any situation where the “in the world” bit starts to take more precedence than the “of the world” bit, we need to turn to our Lord for Godly wisdom. I believe that is what you have done, Mike, and I am sure you don’t need to pray more about it!
Craig, you believe that to “discover the truth” of anti-Semitism, you need to walk through places where anti-Semites gather? Maybe your wording was wrong. Perhaps you meant, to HELP OTHERS discover the truth. Even then, however, there is a limit, and that’s where the wisdom of God comes in again. You can’t help a pedophile discover the truth about his sin by meeting him in “his place”, such as some dodgy area on the Dark Web.
“Woe unto you when all men speak well of you…”. Mike, I am sure you are under no threat of being spoken of well by all men, neither is there much chance of you becoming irrelevant! You have been an inspiration to me over the years, and I am quite convinced you will continue to inspire me as you open up truths in the Bible that have languished in the scholars’ halls for far too long.
I still think he’s a good guy. It’s very disheartening. Really enjoyed him. The whole thing has prompted me to write a disclaimer for my website, which will soon by up there. It reads in part:
“Even if the Israeli government played a role in 9-11 (which I don’t believe), the only persons to blame would be the perpetrators – not “the Jews.” That’s hating on a people for just being who they are. 911 was a sin problem, not a race problem. There are evildoers and enemies of the cross among both Jews and Gentiles—and Christ died for all of them (John 3:16). There are few things clearer in the Bible than the goal of the cross, but here’s a test for you if you’re confused by my take on this: Can you say that you love the Jews as Jesus and Paul (and the rest of the apostles) loved them, hoping for their salvation through Christ? Can you say with Paul, that your heart’s desire is that Israel might be saved (Rom 10:1)? I can.”
I realize that hosts and guests are different things, but this went beyond the youtube show that Paul had with some other guest. People showed me YouTube posts that are pretty hard to deny with respect to Paul’s agreement. Again, it’s very disheartening.
Just as Mike is imploring us to view the Bible with the vantage point of the 2nd temple Jews, to which much of it was delivered, so must the modern Christian get to the bottom of the word, “Zionism”, before using it in a sentence (Let alone a judgment or accusation). I’ve listened all the naked bible podcasts yet can’t recall the one where Mike goes over “who”, exactly, would be properly described as a Jew, in modern nomenclature. There’s an excellent rabbi that wrote an entire book entitled, “Who is a Jew?”. His audience were “Jews” and yet he felt the need to write an entire book on the subject. Where does that leave modern Christian-gentiles? In short, we must not throw such terms around before knowing how they may be received by various demographics. As a sidenote, I rarely comment on posts so apologize if this comment should have been in the “Eleanor” response box. I meant it as a response to Eleanor not something directly to Mike.
I follow, but in the real world, you can’t always explain to people what’s going on — all the nuances of associations, for example — especially if they are kids, students, and relatives. My sphere of contacts aren’t all composed of 40+ people who’ve been around the block.
http://www.canarycryradio.com/2016/01/20/ccr-101-middle-earth-with-dr-mike-heiser/
(The graphic isn’t mine!)
You’re welcome. I don’t have a perfect “system” for distancing myself (personally) from this stuff. Wish I did.
http://www.canarycryradio.com/2016/01/20/ccr-101-middle-earth-with-dr-mike-heiser/
(as noted to others, the graphic isn’t mine!)
Honestly, I just try to provide content and answer questions that I’m asked. It’s no more complicated or exciting than that.
I believe you covered these fundamental arguments most succinctly in:
http://www.nakedbiblepodcast.com/naked-bible-102-what-does-all-israel-will-be-saved-mean/
Inclusive the two cited papers (Staples made my head hurt. The citations…).
These and the several dozen podcasts/interviews/papers/books leave no doubt on your consistent, studied stance. I might have even heard you say, “Stand where you stand.” (I should have counted, betcha around 20 times.)
I do not love anything political on the purely selfish grounds that nothing political will ever love me back. If you find yourself in a lovey-loved situation with any thing terrestrially political you’re in deep kimchee bro. Ask Nazi Germany how that deal worked out. And 1000 other political utopias. Your stance on “utopias” is well stated and I have no intention of co-opting if I read it wrong.
My dirty secret.
Every time (Every Time) I hear racist nonsense I instantly hit the ‘ignore’ switch.
Saves me countless hours every year.
I endorse your decision and wish you the complicated peace that comes from doing the right thing.
As Always/Best.
I’m a political atheist as well. I really don’t trust anyone in any party and don’t view anything political as a lasting solution to any problem. I do believe in certain principles of governance, reflected pretty well in the Constitution, federalist papers, etc. (in respect to political theory, I’d be a political junkie — it was my minor in college).
But NONE of the above is a synonym for the kingdom of God. I don’t think Jesus could have said it any more clearly: “my kingdom is not of this world.”
My clever rejoinder to, “my kingdom is not of this world” was going to be some, “on earth as it is in Heaven” business. Not so much.
1st-ly
“…political theory, I’d be a political junkie — it was my minor in college.”
*gasp* (long, pointed discussion of providence ensues…!) Although.
One of my B-in-laws is a fine Christian man. He deserves a chunky paragraph of praise. Perhaps his only failing might be to have married a woman whose brother was lazy at writing said praise.
He started off with a degree in PoliSci.
Well.
Reading and trying to think through the business at hand has led me to Mathew 11. There aren’t enough cans to hold all the worms. NET has changed “let him hear” to “had better listen!”. Fun so far. I’ll get serious tomorrow.
In conclusion.
I modify my previous blanket dismissal of “racists” and elevate a modest few to the category of “useful idiots”.
Thanks/Best.
It’s always unusual to me how much effort some Christians give to defending Jews when so much effort from Jews is given to attacking Christians. It’s all very one sided.
It matters not that Christians are attacked. Jesus said this would happen (“marvel not if the world hates you — it hated me” – pretty clear, don’t you think?) What matters is that Christians remember that their job is supposed to be winning people to Christ, not painting bullseyes on the lost.
Again, pretty clear.
You need to be consistent with this tho Mike. The Christian community in the U.S has no problems painting bullseyes (as you cal it)on Islam and Muslims all the time. And the whole point of you been on my show in the first place was to try to wijn souls to Christ. You said in your post that a Christian ‘Anti semite’ is an oxy moron. Firstly you have reduced any criticism of Jewish power to ‘Racism’ (which is wearisome after a while) and secondly Christian Zionism- the blind support for the regime that is Israel in the middle East (which slaughters palestinians for fun -Including plenty of Christians there) by Christians is the real Oxy moron here. I wonder what the apostles would think of that too.
Not so. What I said clearly distinguished the STATE of Israel and ethnic Jews. It’s the same distinction as between the US as a national entity and its citizens.
Citizens are not the political entity. That seems obvious to me.
It’s clear that evangelizing to Jews does not require supporting them politically or socially. Merely criticizing Jews does not automatically lead to a holocaust or “painting a bullseye” on anyone. Given that there is an underlying and sometimes overt hostility to Christianity throughout both religious and secular Jewish culture, it’s inevitable that social conflict occurs. It’s just unfortunate that Christians continue being on the losing end of that situation.
It’s a difficult question, winning people over to Christ is difficult enough when the church itself is losing moral relevance.
True — all I want is for people to say they love the Jew like Jesus and Paul did. No one has to agree with the state or an individual Jews perception of the state (which, unless they are among the ruling elite, is bound to be flawed and simplistic).
I think we are on the same page here.
If you’d actually listened to any of the material on my show (instead of accusing me of Racism so quickly) you would know that I have been very clear that the Gospel is for ‘Everyone’, that Jews are loved like everyone else by Christ and no more or less than any other group by myself.
And that not ‘all’ jews are part of the construct that I have sometimes criticised (among various other groups that I’ve criticised and topics discussed on my show-Most of them Christian worldview and theology topics)
Furthermore in your criticism and condemnation of my show you have provided nothing ‘specific’ or referred to as to ‘what’ it is or what exactly some ‘guest’ has said on my show that is Racist/Antisemitic. Nor either is the guest identified let alone the apperent offensive racist content.
And yes Jesus and Paul did love the jews and rightly so like loving all mankind but they also had heavy criticism for some of them too, This whole ‘Anti-semitic’ racist slur has got to stop…Its just the same nonesense that conservatives have had to tolerate for years with the censorship operation known as Political correctness when you criticise Obama or any of the liberal policies. When you type in google my name and Revolution Radio, your OTT disclaimer is right there. Its unfair quite frankly!
It must also be said that there was Zero attempt on ‘my part’ to link you/Mike with me or my show or that there was some ‘underhand’ attempt to get Mike tied up with ‘Anti-semetic’ material. Thats absurd.
You/Mike kindly did the show ( Note the content-Total lack of discussion about anything pertaininng to Jews or the Stae of Israel), a pal of mine put a youtube vid together of it and sent it to you/Mike and you/he posted it on his website.
All a huge fuss over very little really and unecessary and sad.
Other Christian Apologists and political analysts (with high profiles) have had no issues appearing on my show and if they believed I was ‘Racist’ Im confident they would not appear on it.
Of course A friendship and a brother was lost over it too which does not please Christ. You didnt acknowledge my emails apologising for my anger in the initial emails we exchanged on this topic but Christ is quite clear about forgiveness.
Never mind. We”ll let him do the judging I guess.
Again, all uneccessary!
You could have easily given me that reply in our email exchange instead of hurling expletives at me. But in any regard, I’m glad to hear this. And I believe you.
Mr Heiser you have helped my wife and I with the Bible so much. We are finally able to comprehend so much more in the Bible. And thank you for correcting the world on Ancient aliens and Sitchin with truth. I beleive you are doing Gods work PLEASE don’t stop because of lost people trying to use you. God Bless you and yours and keep the faith.
thanks!
I just found it more than a bit ironic about the post on anti-Semitism, which I abhor, and the following quote:
“i.e., 21st century Judaizers”
I’m not offended, just confused at what may appear contradictory.
Full disclosure – yes I’m a messianic believer in Yeshua the messiah walking in torah as sanctification.
Would love to have a chat with you someday Mike, I’m in your neck of the woods.
Thank you! I also want you to know that I very much enjoy your videos as well as your books. I thank God that at last someone is around who can answer my questions which I’ve had for so many years. Many of them have been answered before I heard of you, but you have answered even more. Keep up the good work.
thanks and you’re welcome.
Yep
Yep