This is ghastly language,
It’s a ghastly subject that shouldn’t be swept under the rug.
The LCMS typically does a good job of vigorously examining related subjects:
But on “The Jews and Their Lies” — often used as propaganda by organizations similar to the Christian Identify Movement, the LCMS is strangely silent; and that silence is compounded by the seemingly very different version published by Concordia, 10 years after the version published by the “Christian Nationalist Crusade”.
Which is the authentic translation?
No, I’m saying that Luther’s language in this relatively early work of his is ghastly. He became far more conciliatory in his final years but that wicked horse he bred had already long fled the barn.
No it should not be ignored, nor should its vicious use today be ignored. It is a tragic lesson on where sin can lead.
No it should not be an everlasting shackle upon Luther any more than Moses’ killing of the Egyptian before God’s time should be an everlasting shackle upon Moses.
And even more to the point... what do YOU think of the golden rule? If it’s wrong to tar the Jewish people for the obscene, angry rejection of the Savior, a rejection which the Christian bible itself says will not last forever (and certainly Jesus himself is on record as begging for their pardon, which should be the 500 ton elephant in the theological room) then shouldn’t it be wrong to tar Luther for flying off the handle like this too?