When we think of the Holocaust - - both its hatred and its horror, we typically think that this was the beginning of anti Jewish sentiment in Germany. However, as part of a series he is writing for THE JERUSALEM POST, David Turner points out that is hardly the case. And, the example he gives in the excerpt below may surprise you more than a little bit!
Foundations of the Holocaust: Martin Luther, Theologian of Hate
“At his trial in Nuremberg… Julius Streicher… argued that if he should be standing there arraigned on such charges, so should Martin Luther.”
On the Jews and Their Lies: In this work Luther lays out his understanding of Jewish lies and the danger he feels they represent to Christians. In 65,000 words divided into 13 sections he systematically quotes Jewish scripture to rebut each of his asserted Jewish lies. In the end he asks, “What shall we Christians do with this rejected and condemned people, the Jews… Since they live among us, we dare not tolerate their conduct.” His solution is the following seven steps:
“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.
Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed.
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…Let them 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… Whenever a Jew is sincerely converted, he should be handed one hundred, two hundred, or three hundred florins, as personal circumstances may suggest.
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 by the sweat of their brow… 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…”
It is difficult for most Christians today to imagine that such opinions were shared by the church hierarchy in the past. Obviously, they viewed themselves to be superior to the very God they worship, for as He hung on the cross Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The very concept of forgiveness, however, seems to have been missed by Luther, as, apparently, was Mt. 7:1, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” We, however, would be wise to adhere to all God directs us to do, including adhering to the dictates of Psalm 122:6 - - to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
To read David Turner’s article in its entirety go to: Foundations of the Holocaust: Martin Luther, Theologian of Hate ...
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