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- Title
BAPTISM OR EXPULSION: MARTIN LUTHER AND THE JEWS OF GERMANY.
- Authors
Singer, David G.
- Abstract
As early as the third century, Christians grew increasingly hostile toward Jews; however, the Reformation ushered in a new phase in the relations between Judaism and Christianity. Reformation leaders narrowed the gap between the two religions when they renewed the emphasis on the authority of Scriptures and on God the Father, while downplaying the adoration of Mary and the saints. Nevertheless, the leaders of the Reformation and their followers held varied and complex attitudes toward the Jews and post-Temple Judaism, ranging from anti-Judaism to philosemitic attitudes. Martin Luther exemplifies these ambivalent, even contradictory attitudes. Initially, he was friendly toward and sympathetic with the Jews of Germany because he expected them to convert to his reformed form of Christianity, but he angrily turned against them when it became clear that most Jews would no more accept Protestantism than they had Catholicism. At the same time, he and other Protestant thinkers and leaders stimulated pro-Jewish attitudes by emphasizing the ongoing validity of the Hebrew Bible and the importance of study of the Hebrew language.
- Subjects
LUTHER, Martin, 1483-1546; PHILOSEMITISM; CHRISTIANITY &; antisemitism; CHRISTIAN-Jewish relations; JUDAISM -- Relations; REFORMATION; OLD Testament; PROTESTANT churches
- Publication
Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 2009, Vol 44, Issue 3, p401
- ISSN
0022-0558
- Publication type
Article