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Ann Coulter’s Big Idea about Jews and Christians

By D. Thomas Lancaster | Comments (20)
October 15, 2007

The conservative and always controversial political mogul Ann Coulter, author of the book If Democrats Had Any Brains They’d Be Republicans stuck her foot in her mouth last Monday on Donny Deutsch’s CNBC show “The Big Idea.”

Essentially, Coulter offered a stereotyped assessment of Judaism and stated that Jews should become Christians in order to escape the requirement of obeying God. She refers to this as being a “perfected Jew.” The video has been playing all over the internet and the Jewish community is outraged, calling her a bigot, an anti-Semite and other nasty words, some of which may or may not be appropriate.

Coulter is certainly not an anti-Semite, but she should probably stick to politics and not dabble in theology. Coulter is in way over her head as she attempts to explain why she believes that Jews should abandon Judaism and get on the fast track of Christianity where you don’t actually have to obey the laws.

Below is a transcript of the more relevant parts of the exchange between Coulter and Deutsch:

DEUTSCH: So we [Jews] should be Christian? It would be better if we were all Christian?
COULTER: Yes.
DEUTSCH: We should all be Christian?
COULTER: Yes. Would you like to come to church with me, Donny?
DEUTSCH: So I should not be a Jew, I should be a Christian, and this would be a better place?
COULTER: Well, you could be a practicing Jew, but you're not.
DEUTSCH: I actually am. That's not true. I really am. … we would be better if … there were no Jews, no Buddhists in this country? You can’t believe that! … we should just throw Judaism away and we should all be Christians?
COULTER: Yeah.
DEUTSCH: Really?
COULTER: Well, it's a lot easier. It's kind of a fast track.
DEUTSCH: Really?
COULTER: Yeah. You [Jews] have to obey. Do you know what Christianity is? We believe your religion, but [the difference is that] you have to obey. We have the fast-track program.
DEUTSCH: Why don't I put you with the head of Iran? I mean, come on. You can't believe that. In fact, “Let's wipe Israel off the earth!” I mean--what? No Jews?
COULTER: No, we think — we just want Jews to be perfected, as they say.
DEUTSCH: Wow, you didn't really say that, did you?
COULTER: Yes. That is what Christianity is. We believe the Old Testament, but ours is more like Federal Express. You [Jews] have to obey laws. We [Christians] know we're all sinners … that's what the New Testament says.

(Returning after the break)

COULTER: No. I'm sorry. It is not intended to be [offensive]. I don't think you should take it that way, but that is what Christians consider themselves: perfected Jews. We believe the Old Testament. As you know from the Old Testament, God was constantly getting fed up with humans for not being able to, you know, live up to all the laws. What Christians believe — this is just a statement of what the New Testament is — is that that's why Christ came and died for our sins. Christians believe the Old Testament, but you don't believe our testament.
DEUTSCH: You said, "Jews need to be perfected." Those are the words out of your mouth.
COULTER: No, I'm saying that's what a Christian is.
DEUTSCH: But that's what you said — don't you see how hateful, how anti-Semitic —
COULTER: No!
DEUTSCH: How do you not see? You're an educated woman. How do you not see that?
COULTER: That isn't hateful at all.
DEUTSCH: But that's even a scarier thought.

To me, it is a scary thought that Christians like Coulter still believe that Judaism is a religion of legalism by which people must earn their way into heaven where as Christianity is a religion with no requirements. It’s a scary thought that Christians like Coulter consider their greatest gifts to Jews to be freedom from keeping the Torah and practicing Judaism—a process she refers to as “perfecting” them. (I know what she thinks she means, but if she would like to be a perfected Christian, maybe she should consider starting to practice Judaism in imitation of Christ.) The really scary part is that Christians like Coulter are allowed to speak on national television as if they actually know what the New Testament says.

Coulter says that Christians are on the fast track. They don’t have to obey. This is very different from what the Messiah says. Yeshua says, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21). Perhaps Coulter would be surprised that Jesus would say something so unchristian. But then again--He was Jew too--wasn’t He.

The Coulter interview makes one thing very obvious: we still have a lot of work to do.

D. Thomas Lancaster
Cheshvan 3, 5768

About the Author: D. Thomas Lancaster is Director of Education at First Fruits of Zion, and regular contributor to Messiah Journal. He is the author of the Torah Club programs, and the books Grafted In, Restoration and King of the Jews

Visitor Feedback:

Yes, Jesus is an "un-perfected Jew."

Jeremiah | October 15, 2007 7:35 PM

Daniel,

Great comment(s).

Matt 7:21 makes one wonder where the train on that "fast track" is headed!

Pierre | October 16, 2007 9:14 AM

It's very unsettling reading the above. I already feel outnumbered as a Christian diving in to my Hebraic Roots. Being a "Messianic Gentile" I don't really fit with the Jews or the Christians.

"maybe she should consider starting to practice Judaism in imitation of Christ." This quote of yours gave me a little smile heh...and it is very true!

Yeshua was a Jew, he followed all of the Jewish laws, practiced all of the holidays, was raised in a Jewish home. We want to be Christians (Christ-like) but don't like to follow any of those things He did.

Thanks for the post....

plugging my way through Ha Yesod & Portions Vol. 4

Rob | October 16, 2007 10:16 AM

Speaking carelessly is very easy way to get in way over one's own head.

This is little bit like swimming in the Dead Sea. It's best to ease into the water and float carefully on top. Diving in head-first is ill-advised and probably lethal.

Crispin | October 16, 2007 2:20 PM

He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is {considered} prudent. (Proverbs 17:27-28)

A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind. (Proverb 18:2)

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. (Proverb 21:23)

Ooops!!!!! It doesn't seem as though Ann has been keeping up with her Old Testament studies as she has led us to believe.

jay | October 16, 2007 3:18 PM

Maybe we should send her a copy of Restoration... Since she's gotten herself into a bunch of deep weeds regarding something she really doesn't understand, she might actually read it!

Connie | October 16, 2007 3:30 PM

She is presenting the true face of Christianity in a simple form. This is why I believe we must separate from this replacement religion. It is way too late for reforming the system.

Andrew

DTL Replies: She is presenting the true face of one interpretation of Christianity, but not the true face of the religion of those who are called Christians in the Apostolic Scriptures. In the end, you may be right, but I'm sticking it out. Remember that Elijah felt similarly about the nation of Israel at one time.

Andrew | October 16, 2007 6:23 PM

Denis Prager has no problem with her. Why should we?

Go to the Town Hall website and read his article.

DTL replies: I've seen a few conservative Jewish voices come to her defence. It's true that she's not anti-Semitic or hateful or anything like that. She's just theologically oblivious.

Steve Petersen | October 16, 2007 9:22 PM

Miss Coulter is very miss informed about Messiah and the right way to go. This is the teaching in the christian church;s so you do need to sent her your book Restoration of the Torah. Jeri

Jeri Carter | October 17, 2007 9:06 AM

We have to remember that Coulter represents one form of post-modern Christianity which suffers from the contemporary Zeitgheist that doing as little as possible is "okay" in the eyes of God. There are many Christians who would disagree with her de-emphasis on obedience. This is especially true for those of us who come from evangelical backgrounds where holiness and piety were emphasized.

Based on some of the comments above, some sectors the Messianic/Torah movement may not be that much better off than Coulter, speaking in haste but only in reverse. Rather than sitting around and complaining about the ills of the Church--and we we are actually "better"--why don't we actually live lives that can actually make a difference? Why don't we fulfill the Abrahamic mandate of being a blessing to all? Rather than being reactionary, why don't we offer some constructive solutions?

J.K. McKee | October 17, 2007 9:22 AM

She should ask her pastor for a refund.

Blessings

Dan

Dan Benzvi | October 17, 2007 3:40 PM

B"H

Shalom,

There are Orthodox Jews, like myself, who trust in Y'Shua. We are out there but hidden for a season. We feel like the hidden tzaddik Hasids of centuries long past. The Ann Coulter remarks have been discussed amongst ourselves and within the Orthodox community. Our prayer is as Dr. Lancaster's words...that she may be a "perfected" Believer, one that follows Torah and the Master. He is correct, there still is much work to do. That is to be said of the Messianic movement as well. We should pray that Miss Coulter have a true experience with HaShem so that her eyes may be opened. Then she would have to find a good place to learn such as FFOZ. Her fast-track statements are simply a view a many other Christians. We do not think she is anti-semitic and if she came to the truth of Torah and Y'Shua, would be a wonderful voice in the public arena. How this would happen is beyond our area of expertise but perhaps there are people that could speak to her and be willing to express the Truth. We are much more concerned with Iran, Hammas and the likes who express the complete willingness to kill Jews. Miss Coulter needs prayer and someone to show her the truth of Torah and Y'Shua

Ariel Belle | October 17, 2007 4:39 PM

I guess what I mean is that she is presenting Christianity as presented by most of the Church fathers and historical christianity since their time. As far as the original followers of Yeshua who were called Christians by some, that is a different story and I agree with you there. We don't live then though..we live now..after all the years and all the teaching of this sort in the name of Christianity and the Christian Christ.

So, I guess it comes down to what you mean by the term Christianity. Everyone seems to have their different idea. I'm just looking at it as a whole and what the majority of teaching has been and still is under this banner.

I understand your position though. It does keep you in a position to reach people who really need the help, and you have my respect for that. Keep up the good work.

Andrew

Andrew | October 17, 2007 9:54 PM

I am amused at Ann Coulter's expressions of her belief and consider them to have at least some merit. Although, I don't pretend to know her precise interpretation of scripture, I too believe in one and only one way of receiving eternal life with God.

Jesus received the answer from the Father in Matt. 26:39, that there is NO OTHER WAY. Paul states in Gal. 3:23-29 that all must come under the LORDSHIP OF CHRIST by faith. Before the cross many Jews and Gentiles did so including Abraham as written in Rom. 4:3, hundreds of years before the law of Moses.

The law is now in our hearts as Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 3:16 because the Spirit of God resides in the hearts of those who are BORN AGAIN according to Jesus in John 3.

Clayton | October 18, 2007 11:30 AM

From what I"ve read of Ann Coulter's interview, she didn't say anything anti-semetic. She could have delivered it in a more better tone than turning into a Christianity-vs- Judaism arguement. While Yeshua didn't come to start a new religion, but a new covanant, but he also never threw his Jewishness out either. Judaism has some very beutifull things in their faith, though one key thing is missing: The Messiah. Shaul(Paul) says a true Jew is one who is circumcised in their heart (Romans 2-3). I also have to agree with JK McKee as well. Yeshua said to be salt and light. The Messianic Movement seems to neglect the "weighter things of Torah" in some cases. Yeshua criticize the Pharisees for not obeying the Law, but for neglecting what matter the most. We all in the Body are supposed to have apart in the Great Commision. The Church is no different either, we all get our eyes off of Yeshua, and on other things. He should be our focus. Hebrews 12:1-2 sums it up quite well.
Shalom. 2Cor 5:17

David Niles | October 19, 2007 12:04 AM

What Coulter pleads for — perhaps without knowing it — is secularization. The very sad thing is that most Christians lead a secularized lifestyle. That's the inevitable consequence of rejecting the Torah. The worst thing is that this secularized life is religiously labelled as "our freedom in Christ". No wonder that orthodox Jews view Christianity as a religious illusion. G-d's grace in Messiah this way has been turned into a cheap grace, that doesn't require obedience. We should try to correct this by bearing a better picture of Messiah, by showing that the the real image and picture of Messiah is the Torah.

Geert ter Horst | October 20, 2007 8:59 PM

I was very saddened to read Coulter's comments, because the general public will not be able to discern the difference between what she said and true Biblical faith in Yeshua. However, I believe it is an accurate representation of widespread teaching in the church today. It just made me appreciate Mr. Lancaster and FFOZ staff even more, because they are dedicating themselves to eradicating the superiority complex of evangelical Christians who have their own veil that needs to be removed. We must continue to try to be the bridge between Christians and Jews, neither of whom are perfect without the other.

Ariel Wolff | October 22, 2007 9:07 PM

Christianity has roots in anti-Torah and anti-Semitic beliefs - so this kind of thing ... doesn't surprise me.

There is no doubt on the plain text of the Brit Chadasha, and on the historical and religious context of the writings, that Yeshua and all his tlamidim not only taught Torah but upheld it by their actions.

... It disgusts me that these people make my Jewish Moshaich look like a pagan goy...

Aharon HaLevi | October 24, 2007 1:43 AM

Prior to hearing FFoZ audio books, I essentially thought the same as Ms. Coulter. It's simply what the majority of Christianity teaches to its myriads of converts.

It is difficult to instruct someone upon a topic that they are certain they already know. Ms. Coulter must hunger for a different perspective on the Lord's instructions, to become teachable, again.

David.B | July 22, 2008 6:18 AM

Video link still available, but different address:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wnPHFSdrME

david.B | July 22, 2008 6:25 AM