medieval church , jews
early in life, luther had argued jews had been prevented converting christianity proclamation of believed impure gospel catholic church, , believed respond favorably evangelical message if presented them gently. expressed concern poor conditions in forced live, , insisted denying jesus born jew committing heresy.
luther s first known comment jews in letter written reverend spalatin in 1514:
in 1519, luther challenged doctrine servitus judaeorum ( servitude of jews ), established in corpus juris civilis justinian in 529. wrote: absurd theologians defend hatred jews. ... jew consent enter our ranks when sees cruelty , enmity wreak on them—that in our behavior towards them less resemble christians beasts?
in commentary on magnificat, luther critical of emphasis judaism places on torah, first 5 books of old testament. states undertook keep law own strength, , failed learn needy , cursed state. yet, concludes god s grace continue jews abraham s descendants time, since may become christians. ought... not treat jews in unkindly spirit, there future christians among them.
in 1523 essay jesus christ born jew, luther condemned inhuman treatment of jews , urged christians treat them kindly. luther s fervent desire jews hear gospel proclaimed , moved convert christianity. argued:
against jews
in august 1536, luther s prince, elector of saxony john frederick, issued mandate prohibited jews inhabiting, engaging in business in, or passing through realm. alsatian shtadlan, rabbi josel of rosheim, asked reformer, wolfgang capito, approach luther in order obtain audience prince, luther refused every intercession. in response josel, luther referred unsuccessful attempts convert jews: ... willingly best people not contribute [jewish] obstinacy own kind actions. must find intermediary lord. heiko oberman notes event significant in luther s attitude toward jews: today refusal judged decisive turning point in luther s career friendliness hostility toward jews; yet, oberman contends luther have denied such turning point . rather felt jews treated in friendly way in order avoid placing unnecessary obstacles in path christian conversion, genuine concern of luther.
paul johnson writes luther not content verbal abuse. before wrote anti-semitic pamphlet, got jews expelled saxony in 1537, , in 1540s drove them many german towns; tried unsuccessfully elector expel them brandenburg in 1543.
michael berenbaum writes luther s reliance on bible sole source of christian authority fed later fury toward jews on rejection of jesus messiah. luther, salvation depended on belief jesus son of god, belief adherents of judaism not share. graham noble writes luther wanted save jews, in own terms, not exterminate them, beneath apparent reasonableness toward them, there biting intolerance , produced ever more furious demands conversion own brand of christianity . (noble, 1-2) when failed convert, turned on them.
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