. . I’m glad you noted the ELCA’s statement rejecting these writings. Nobody defends these writings by Luther now. But, I’ve always found it somewhat anachronistic to single out Luther on this subject when St. John Chyrsostom and others had been writing things just as bad regarding the Jews long before Luther came along. What I’m getting at is that if Luther’s writings have “shaken your faith in the Protestant sector”, I’m afraid you won’t find it any better elsewhere.
My intention was not to single out Luther. This Thread is entitled, “Martin Luther.”
If as you say, “I won’t find it any better elsewhere.” Then I would say we have a very serious problem. If our Protestant heritage is rooted in antisemitism, what does that say for us?
Byzantine_Wolf;5491226:
Ah yes, I’m currently in the process of finishing that. It is a very nice read, and seems to explain Luther’s concepts nicely and in an often neutral fashion. I bought it because I had finished reading Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue Concerning Heresies
and decided I need to read the other side’s point of view.
Many times writings that are supposedly “antisemitic” are actually simply theological in nature. I don’t want to sound mean (and those who know me know I support the state of Israel and Jews as a people), but many times I’ve noticed any criticism of Jews or Judaism, even in theology or similar, is immediately taken as “antisemitic” when race isn’t even an issue. It’s like those people who say criticizing Islam as a religion is racist.
I do not see how you could justify Martin Luther’s writings as “theological.”
Have you read “On the Jews and Their Lies”?
Here are a few quotes from Luther’s Works, Volume 47, in which Luther gave his solution for the Jews:
“
First to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them. This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians, and do not condone or knowingly tolerate such public lying, cursing, and blaspheming of his Son and of his Christians. . .”
“
Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed. For they pursue in them the same aims as in their synagogues. Instead they might be lodged under a roof or in a barn, like the gypsies. . .”
“
Third, I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings, in which such idolatry, lies, cursing and blasphemy are taught, be taken from them. . .”
“
Fourth, I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach henceforth on pain of loss of life and limb. . .”
“
Fifth, I advise that safe*conduct on the highways be abolished completely for the Jews. For they have no business in the countryside, since they are not lords, officials, tradesmen, or the like. Let they stay at home. . .”
“
Sixth, I advise that usury be prohibited to them, and that all cash and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them and put aside for safekeeping. . .”
“
Seventh, I commend putting a flail, an ax, a hoe, a spade, a distaff, or a spindle into the hands of young, strong Jews and Jewesses and letting them earn their bread in the sweat of their brow, as was imposed on the children of Adam (Gen 3:19]}. For it is not fitting that they should let us accursed Goyim toil in the sweat of our faces while they, the holy people, idle away their time behind the stove, feasting and farting, and on top of all, boasting blasphemously of their lordship over the Christians by means of our sweat. No, one should toss out these lazy rogues by the seat of their pants.”
“But what will happen even if we do burn down the Jews’ synagogues and forbid them publicly to praise God, to pray, to teach, to utter God’s name? They will still keep doing it in secret. If we know that they are doing this in secret, it is the same as if they were doing it publicly. for our knowledge of their secret doings and our toleration of them implies that they are not secret after all and thus our conscience is encumbered with it before God.”
“First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss in sulphur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire. . .”
“Burn down their synagogues, forbid all that I enumerated earlier, force them to work, and deal harshly with them, as Moses did in the wilderness, slaying three thousand lest the whole people perish. They surely do not know what they are doing; moreover, as people possessed, they do not wish to know it, hear it, or learn it. There it would be wrong to be merciful and confirm them in their conduct. If this does not help we must drive them out like mad dogs, so that we do not become partakers of their abominable blasphemy and all their other vices and thus merit God’s wrath and be damned with them. I have done my duty. Now let everyone see to his. I am exonerated.”
Is this just “theology” mistaken as antisemitism?
Statements of Adolf Hitler (a big fan of Luther) in 1924 at a Christian gathering in Berlin:
“I believe that today I am acting in accordance with the will of Almighty God. As I announce the most important work that Christians could undertake and that is to be against the Jews and get rid of them once and for all. We are doing the work of the Lord and let’s get on with it.” Hitler stated, “
Martin Luther has been the greatest encouragement of my life. Luther was a great man. He was a giant. Within one blow he heralded the coming of the new dawn and the new age. He saw clearly that the Jews need to be destroyed and we’re only beginning to see that we need to carry this work on.”
?