866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org
Note: Gaskin claims that it is a myth that the Jews killed Jesus. In fact, the Jewish leaders led the campaign to kill Jesus and they manipulated the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to have him executed even though Pilate said Jesus was innocent. The truth is that Jesus was killed by the Jews, by the Roman government, and by every sinner who has ever lived, for He suffered and died as a sacrificial offering to God for man’s sin.
“Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified” (Matthew 27:15-26)
_______
Initially, Luther hoped to convert Jews to Christianity, believing that if they were freed from Catholic oppression, they would accept Jesus as the Messiah. However, when Jews rejected his message, his attitude toward them changed dramatically.
Luther’s Early Approach to Jews
- In 1523, Luther wrote That Jesus Christ Was Born a Jew, in which he argued that Jews should be treated kindly so they would convert.
- He criticized Catholic persecution of Jews, believing it prevented their conversion.
However, when Jews refused to accept Christianity, Luther turned violently against them.
Luther’s Antisemitic Writings By the 1540s, Luther wrote some of the most hateful and dangerous works against Jews in Christian history.
“On the Jews and Their Lies” (1543)
In this book, Luther called Jews:
- “Poisonous, devilish, and evil people”
- “A blasphemous burden” on Christian society
- “Thieves and robbers” who should be expelled or destroyed
- Luther also advocated violence against Jews, urging rulers to:
- Burn synagogues and Jewish schools
- Destroy Jewish homes
- Confiscate Jewish religious books
- Prohibit rabbis from teaching
- Expel Jews from Christian lands
These ideas influenced centuries of Protestant antisemitism, particularly in Germany.
“The Shem Hamphoras” (1543)
In this work, Luther mocked Jewish theology and called for the expulsion of Jews. He described Jews as the devil’s people and claimed they were beyond salvation.
The Impact of Luther’s Antisemitism
Luther’s writings became a foundation for later German antisemitism. His ideas:
- Justified anti-Jewish policies in Protestant territories.
- Encouraged violence against Jewish communities.
- Were later used by Nazis to justify persecution of Jews.
By the time of his death in 1546, Luther had radicalized Protestant attitudes toward Jews, setting the stage for further discrimination and violence.
2. Continued Persecution of Jews in Protestant and Catholic Europe
Although Luther’s antisemitic ideas were extreme, antisemitism was widespread throughout both Protestant and Catholic Europe.
Jewish Persecution in Protestant Territories
- Germany (16th–18th centuries) – Protestant rulers expelled Jews from several cities, citing Luther’s writings.
- England (17th century) – Jews were allowed to return under Oliver Cromwell, but antisemitic restrictions remained.
- Scandinavia – Jews were largely banned from living in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.
Jewish Persecution in Catholic Europe
- Spain and Portugal (16th–18th centuries) – The Inquisition continued hunting Jews suspected of practicing Judaism in secret.
- France – Jews faced expulsions, ghettos, and legal discrimination.
- Poland and Russia – Jews lived under strict laws that limited their rights and forced them into segregated areas.
Both Protestant and Catholic leaders reinforced the idea that Jews were outsiders, undeserving of rights in Christian society.
3. How Christian Antisemitism Influenced the Holocaust
By the 19th and 20th centuries, centuries of Christian antisemitism had deeply shaped European society, making Jews scapegoats for political, social, and economic problems. These ideas played a direct role in the rise of Nazi ideology and the Holocaust.
Key Ways Christian Antisemitism Influenced Nazi Ideology
Luther’s Influence on Nazi Antisemitism
- Adolf Hitler praised Luther in Mein Kampf, calling him a great reformer.
- Nazi propaganda used Luther’s writings to justify anti-Jewish policies.
- Kristallnacht (1938), when Jewish synagogues and businesses were burned, was carried out on Luther’s birthday as a symbolic act.
The previous is excerpted from Ed Gaskin, “Martin Luther, the Reformation, and Christian Antisemitism,” The Times of Israel, nd.
- Receive these reports by email
- www.wayoflife.org
______________________
Sharing Policy: Much of our material is available for free, such as the hundreds of articles at the Way of Life web site. Other items we sell to help fund our expensive literature and foreign church planting ministries. Way of Life's content falls into two categories: sharable and non-sharable. Things that we encourage you to share include the audio sermons, O Timothy magazine, FBIS articles, and the free eVideos and free eBooks. You are welcome to make copies of these at your own expense and share them with friends and family. You may also post parts of reports and/or entire reports to websites, blogs, etc as long as you give proper credit (citation). A link to the original report is very much appreciated as the reports are frequently updated and/or expanded. Things we do not want copied and distributed are "Store" items like the Fundamental Baptist Digital Library, print editions of our books, electronic editions of the books that we sell, the videos that we sell, etc. The items have taken years to produce at enormous expense in time and money, and we use the income from sales to help fund the ministry. We trust that your Christian honesty will preserve the integrity of this policy. "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward" (1 Timothy 5:18). Questions? support@wayoflife.org
Goal:Distributed by Way of Life Literature Inc., the Fundamental Baptist Information Service is an e-mail posting for Bible-believing Christians. Established in 1974, Way of Life Literature is a fundamental Baptist preaching and publishing ministry based in Bethel Baptist Church, London, Ontario, of which Wilbert Unger is the founding Pastor. Brother Cloud lives in South Asia where he has been a church planting missionary since 1979. Our primary goal with the FBIS is to provide material to assist preachers in the edification and protection of the churches.
Offering: Offerings are welcome if you care to make one. If you have been helped and/or blessed by our material offerings can be mailed or made online with with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Paypal. For information see: www.wayoflife.org/about/makeanoffering.html.
