[boatbums]

This is a helpful site to understand Martin Luther's views about the Jewish people vs. the Jewish religion:

http://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/search?q=luther+and+jews

In it the author states:

Luther was not technically an anti-Semite. He had nothing against Jews as “Jews.” He had something against their religion because he believed it denied and blasphemed Christ. In other words, his position against them was theological, not biological. As proof, Luther had no objections to integrating converted Jews into Christian society- a true anti-Semite on the other hand, simply hates Jews for being Jews.

Rather than being motivated by biological factors, Luther’s criticisms were motivated by theological concerns. Luther directed intensely abusive language against Anabaptists, lawyers, the papacy, and the Jews. Luther felt these groups were united in the conviction that men were ultimately made right before God by the law. Anabaptism held a moralistic view of the gospel with an emphasis on the heavy burden of righteousness placed upon men in order to be accepted before God. Lawyers made their living by imposing the law. The papacy was viewed as the antichrist, which promoted a false religion with a false view of salvation through obedience to the law. The Jews had a religion based upon works righteousness. When Luther attacked these groups, he felt he was attacking the devil- the underlying spirit of works righteousness.

In the last years of Luther’s life, he came to believe all the popular slanderous myths about the Jews- and I think this may have been the result of the reports of proselytizing he was receiving, as well as his frustration in converting any of them, combined with cultural prejudice that is inherent in sinful humanity. By any means possible, he wanted works righteousness groups removed for the sake of the gospel. When Luther picked an enemy, no amount of rhetoric would stop him from making his case.

Here though we can fault Luther theologically. He violated his own principle of the Theology of the cross. The Theology of the cross places the Christian as the enemy of society- the gospel is trampled and scorned by the world and by those in power. In its weakness and foolishness though, the Theology of the cross knows the gospel is actually strength. The Theology of the cross expects a life of suffering. It expects to be attacked and assailed. It expects these things because this is what happened to Christ. Using force to drive away one’s enemies in the name of the gospel is the work of a theology of glory. It is using power and might instead of using weakness and suffering.

The important thing to remember, though, is that:

Generally speaking, we Reformed disagree with Luther on particular things, but still find him to be a man of great abilities, and appreciate his stand against the Roman Catholic Church- so you won’t find many detailed discussions delving into his flaws and sins. We know he was a sinner. We know he had glaring faults. But we also know sola scriptura and sola fide are not true or false depending on how evil or perfect Luther was. They are true because God has spoken in His Word.

[jjotto]

How about a helpful site that actually quotes Luther’s words:

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/Luther_on_Jews.html

...First to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them. This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom...

...Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed. For they pursue in them the same aims as in their synagogues. Instead they might be lodged under a roof or in a barn, like the gypsies...

...we must drive them out like mad dogs, so that we do not become partakers of their abominable blasphemy and all their other vices and thus merit God’s wrath and be damned with them. I have done my duty. Now let everyone see to his. I am exonerated...