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Was Martin Luther an Anti-Semite?
Townhall.com ^ | April 1, 2017 | Michael Browne

Posted on 04/01/2017 7:10:18 AM PDT by Kaslin

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To: Wilhelm Tell

“Luther wrote in an early modern form of German.”

Luther chose to write in the Saxon court dialect, the “chancery” language of Meissen which was one of the regional centers of Saxony. Some scholars call it Ostmitteldeutsch - but that term can be problematic. For more information on the language used see Herbert Wolf’s old but excellent book: Martin Luther: Eine Einführung in germanistische Luther-Studien. J.B. Metzlersche -verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH in Stuttgart, 1980.

“Acutally, his Bible translation was instrumental in forming the modern German language (as a language that could be understood by people in a large geographical area as opposed to dialects that outsiders have trouble understanding). Luther’s Bible was a great achievement in European culture and language.

Yes, I think we’re all aware of this. And? If you’re interested in a book on how “chancery” language shaped English read this: https://www.amazon.com/Emergence-Standard-English-John-Fisher/dp/0813108527

“The negative side of Luther is that his anti-Jewish rants were something the Nazis could easily dust off and publish for their propaganda/incitements. True, for Luther it was a religious thing while the Nazis believed in a bizarre, racist pseudo-science. But words like “burn down their synagogues” obviously meant exactly that - and worse things.”

Luther’s anti-semitism was also tinged with racism. Hence the quote about from the historian Eric W. Gritsch.


41 posted on 04/01/2017 8:19:53 AM PDT by vladimir998 (Apparently I'm still living in your head rent free. At least now it isn't empty.)
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To: vladimir998

Again what does this have to do with the reformation? Would you care to examine the antisemitic and racist writings of the popes and prominent Catholics at the time? So there were flawed individuals on both sides It does not change the great truths of the reformation


42 posted on 04/01/2017 8:22:24 AM PDT by Mom MD
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To: vladimir998

I’m always befuddled by Roman Catholic condemnation of Luther’s anti-Semitic views, when he learned them from whom? The Roman Catholic Church.


43 posted on 04/01/2017 8:23:27 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: Kaslin

Wow


44 posted on 04/01/2017 8:23:54 AM PDT by Mercat
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To: Mom MD

I support Christians, not here to bash Protestants, but am just saying this guy unleashed all kinds of hell that we are still dealing with 500 years later.

This idea that religion is a business that is open to all and anything goes is great until you see the results.

Their is a direct correlation between the actions of Henry VIII and Luther and the state of immorality and chaos in the USA in 2017.


45 posted on 04/01/2017 8:29:47 AM PDT by Rome2000 (SMASH THE CPUSA-SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS-CLOSE ALL MOSQUES)
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To: Kaslin
Twenty years later, when that did not happen, and when Luther, now old and sick, had been exposed to some blasphemous, anti-Jesus writings penned by Jews in past generations,

The author fails to mention that the "writings penned by Jews in past generations" that Luther was upset with, was the Talmud.

46 posted on 04/01/2017 8:30:24 AM PDT by PapaBear3625 (Big government is attractive to those who think that THEY will be in control of it.)
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To: Kaslin

Sinful writings by Martin Luther. Also, Adolf Hitler was raised as a Roman Catholic as was Martin Luther. There is enough sin to go around. We all put Christ on that cross.


47 posted on 04/01/2017 8:31:49 AM PDT by rephope
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To: Rome2000

No less chaos was unleashed by the popes and cardinals of the time Like all eras the good mixed with the bad Luther and Henry the eigth were not responsible for all the ills of the time I would argue Henry the eights reasons for starting the Church of England were a bit more cynical than Luthers but the reformation was sorely needed. Most denominations are in need of just as drastic a clarion call today While I am a member of the Lutheran church Missouri synod I do not recognize most Lutheran denominations in this country or Europe as legitimate any longer and I will not worship at their altars Neither would Luther I can speak to my own denomination but I am sure there are similar problems in others We are desperately in need of revival and call back to the faith of the Bible I wonder if we will have another Luther or Calvin I tend to think not Given the lateness of the hour I think it will be Christ Himself who leads the final culling of the true Church from the apostate church......

Maranatha


48 posted on 04/01/2017 8:41:56 AM PDT by Mom MD
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To: RegulatorCountry

“I’m always befuddled by Roman Catholic condemnation of Luther’s anti-Semitic views, when he learned them from whom? The Roman Catholic Church.”

I have no doubt that Luther did adopt anti-semitic sentiments to some extent from some of his fellow Catholics when young. The difference is that Jesus was not anti-semitic, and Jesus is our Church’s founder. Luther was the founder of Protestantism. Protestantism was invented by Luther. (No one here is allowed to post where and when he invented one of its central doctrines - and no, I’m not kidding). Luther is the theological father of every Protestant sect in existence - including yours. Thus, whereas our Church’s founder was perfect, the Son of God, your sect’s ultimate father was a demented anti-semite who sure seems like he was mentally unstable.

Our Church came from God Himself. Your sect was founded by an anti-semite. Wear it with pride, RegulatorCountry, wear it with pride.


49 posted on 04/01/2017 8:44:21 AM PDT by vladimir998 (Apparently I'm still living in your head rent free. At least now it isn't empty.)
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To: rephope

“There is enough sin to go around. We all put Christ on that cross.”

Absolutely true.


50 posted on 04/01/2017 8:45:36 AM PDT by vladimir998 (Apparently I'm still living in your head rent free. At least now it isn't empty.)
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To: Always A Marine

Well written response. I would like to stick with Luther’s earlier assertions. That our Savior was a Jew. (I cannot excuse his later ones) For that and other reasons we should never, ever hate the Jews(or the muslims) . Rather I pray for them that at least some of them may see Jesus for what he is: the glory of Israel and a light for the gentiles. (Song of Simeon) I thank God that He has caused his Light to shine in this my sinful heart so capable of ugliness and deserving of death. I thank God that he used Luther and others even once murderous Paul to carry this Light to this dying world. How great is the love God has lavished on us that WE should be called children of God.


51 posted on 04/01/2017 8:45:48 AM PDT by uscga77 (the truth remains)
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To: Rome2000
I support Christians, not here to bash Protestants, but am just saying this guy unleashed all kinds of hell that we are still dealing with 500 years later.

This idea that religion is a business that is open to all and anything goes is great until you see the results.

To lay all of the ills of the past 500 yrs at the feet of Luther is to be devoid of history.

Paul, John, and the other writers of the NT were dealing with false teachings in their day.

False teachings have always existed and always will. And I hate to break it to you but they've existed far more than 500 years. False teachings go all the way back to the Garden when Satan twisted God's word to Eve.

God has given us His Word to measure these false teachings against.

The ills you speak of exist only because we are not applying the Truth to the ills.

52 posted on 04/01/2017 8:47:03 AM PDT by ealgeone
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To: Kaslin

Yes he was.


53 posted on 04/01/2017 8:48:53 AM PDT by Rummyfan (bb)
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To: Rome2000

“Their is a direct correlation between the actions of Henry VIII and Luther and the state of immorality and chaos in the USA in 2017”

Amen! Yet many do not wish to See nor Hear the Truth! For the Truth Hurts and when the Truth Hurts it means your doing something wrong and have to change your ways... Pride does not like to change its ways, Only through Humility, a gift from God, can one do so...

“The English Reformation”
http://www.mikechurch.com/shop/product-tag/english-reformation/

“Humility of Heart”
http://www.mikechurch.com/shop/product/humility-of-heart-the-compleat-english-translation/

Helping to chart the Path away from the Beast and back to the Values (VIRTUE) Our Lord wish’s from us is The Veritas Radio Network’s Crusade Channel! Tune in Change YOUR life and the Lives around YOU, Show the Lords Glory through YOU!

http://veritasradionetwork.com/

God Bless


54 posted on 04/01/2017 8:49:23 AM PDT by jafojeffsurf (Return to the Christendom, A Moral People, and Return to a Nation/s UNDER God!)
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To: Kaslin
Yes, Martin Luther was an anti Semite, but he was the man God used to restore the Holy Bible truths to the common man so that religious cults and dictatorships could be overcome by the people knowing the truth of God in Christ Jesus.

And remember, he was a born and raised catholic priest who knew only the catholic doctrines but not the Scripture truth of the Jewish nation started by God through Abraham. The doctrine of Scripture is truth only, and the land of Israel will be the nation Jesus Christ will rule in on the earth after the 7 year tribulation to destroy all who will not know the Jewish King Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

55 posted on 04/01/2017 8:50:13 AM PDT by kindred (Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour. President Trump is restoring America !)
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To: vladimir998
Your history of Protestantism is very hobbled, stunted and incomplete. You're in no position to speak authoritatively regarding Protestantism. Just because the Roman Catholic Church succeeded in killing off or driving underground others of Protestant belief does not erase their existence from history, much as The Catholic Encyclopedia and apologists such as yourself may try. The Hussites, the Waldenses, it goes back hundreds of years prior to Luther and even then you ignore England and contemporaries to Luther. I'd say try again, but it'll be more of the same, very predictable.
56 posted on 04/01/2017 8:52:19 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: Mom MD; The Sons of Liberty
I do think of Martin Luther as a genuine religious genius.

Much like Muhammad and Joseph Smith, he was someone who powerfully re-formed Christianity into a form he deemed more suited to his time and place and more accessible to his culture.

57 posted on 04/01/2017 9:01:01 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church: the only part of the Creed you can actually see)
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To: Kaslin

As a devout Catholic I found the article of interest. However, I have always been skeptical of modern writers attempting to get into the heads of notable people who lived in another era.

Martin Luther was first and foremost a man; a man with the same weaknesses that all humans have - the tendency for sin. So to reiterate everything that he said about Jews or did 500 years ago is not particularly helpful or valuable. YES! We can learn from it; we can disagree with his view of Jews; but we should not judge him with 21st century eyes. My view is that all Christians are children of the Jewish nation by baptism. Our Chief High Priest is Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God, Redeemer and a Jew!

I wonder how people in the 23rd century will judge America today? As a nation we tolerate partial birth abortions, and other atrocities. It does not mean we are all evil.

If we did not have Martin Luther, there would have been no Counter-Reformation in the Catholic Church, a movement that was much needed.

To conclude; let us not fall into the trap that liberals use such as judging Thomas Jefferson because he had some slaves back in the 18th century, etc., yet hypocritically tolerating behaviors which enslave women and throw gays off of tall buildings. You all know what I mean.


58 posted on 04/01/2017 9:02:27 AM PDT by Gumdrop
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To: allendale

Yeah, no more indulgences for sale. No more Inquisitions. No more Crusades. Etc, etc, etc...


59 posted on 04/01/2017 9:03:58 AM PDT by GingisK
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To: ealgeone

Not so grasshopper. The land of Israel is the land God will return to at the end of the 7 year tribulation and destroy all the armies of the earth under the anti Christ and his false prophet, a man who will be a false Christian who hates the Scriptures and believes the lies of the Roman church, who is cultic, yea, apostate if the truth be told.. Search the Scriptures and learn how that half of the church is apostate Christianity, and they are marked by their belief that doctrine divides and love unites. Lie of the devil as Martin Luther learned in the monastery when he found the Scriptures buried in there. Martin Luther was taught lies as truth and it took him many years to learn the truth and stop the lies. Replacement theology is a lie of the Roman church and this article continues to increase the lie. Those who curse Israel will never learn that God is using Israel to fight against the nations that will come to destroy Israel under the man anti Christ, who will come and may already be alive. Search the Scriptures for they speak of Christ and most of modern Christianity has abandoned the truth and are apostate Christians who will be left behind at the rapture for their unbelief of the Word of God. Sola Scriptura.


60 posted on 04/01/2017 9:05:02 AM PDT by kindred (Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour. President Trump is restoring America !)
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