You really don’t seem to understand that what exists in the minds of the followers of a religion does not have to match the written teachings of that religion.
Luther’s influence upon the region was enormous in their feelings towards Jews. Of course anti-Semitism existed well before then, but his writings greatly influenced his followers. Those attitudes were passed on for generations. This helped create a fertile ground for the Nazi movement.
Didn’t you ever wonder why the vast majority of Christian Germans bought into Hitler immediately and wholeheartedly?
Really, Luther's followers? Luther's 'followers' wrote the Book of Concord 34 years after Martin Luther had died. The Bible and this book form the basis for Confessional Lutheranism. Nowhere in the BoC is there affirmation of anti-semitism. Nowhere is the JATL referenced. Pastors affirm that they will abide in accordance with that teaching.
Alongside, there is the Bible where Paul famously tells us that there "is no Jew nor Greek" Gal 3:28-29. No support for AS there either. Are there ASemites in the Lutheran church, no doubt? Are there as many today as back then when it was fresh? To have carried the JATL for 400 years with fervor means they would have paid ZERO attention to his other works and they were the ones taught.
See post 67 for a historical look at AS in Europe. It has only taken short periods of time off. It was practiced before Luther and up to the war, and I don't blame taught AS for the sins of the Nazis. They bear those alone.
Didn’t you ever wonder why the vast majority of Christian Germans
Jobs, pride and racial hatred.