Martin Luther on the Jewish Money Lenders

 

Martin Luther (/ˈluːθər/ LOO-thər; German: [ˈmaʁtiːn ˈlʊtɐ] ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, professor, and former Augustinian friar. Luther was the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation, and his theological beliefs form the basis of Lutheranism. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Western and Christian history.

Next to the Devil, a Christian has no more bitter & galling foe than a Jew.

Tell me, what are we going to answer God if He takes us to account on the Day of Judgment, saying: "Listen, you are a Christian--you are aware of the fact that the Jews openly blasphemed & cursed my Son & Me, you gave them opportunity for it, you protected & shielded them so that they could engage in this without hindrance or punishment in your country, city, & house." Tell me: What will we answer to this?

Jesus our Lord says, "He who hates Me hates My Father also." [Jn.15:23]

_Quia faciens et consentiens pari poena_ ["Doing & consenting deserve equal punishment"].

These are a people to whom God has never been God, but a liar in the person of all the Prophets, no matter how much God had these preach to them. The result is that they can not be God's people, no matter how much they clamor. They do not hear God; so He, in turn, does not hear them, as Ps.18:26 says: "With the crooked Thou dost show Thyself perverse." The wrath of God has overtaken them.

The Jews laugh up their sleeves because we let them make such fools of us & because we spend our money to enable them to remain in the country & to practice every malice & accursed ursury.

Any privileges that they may plead shall not help them; for no-one can grant privileges to practicing their abominations. These cancel & abrogate all privileges.

I am well aware that they deny all of this. However, it all coincides with the judgment of Christ which declares that they are venomous, bitter, vindictive, tricky serpents, assassins, & children of the Devil, who sting & work harm stealthily wherever they cannot do it openly.

--Dr. Martin Luther