Christians love to disown Hitler but do they have a hard time disowning Martin Luther ?

Question

"We were convinced that the people needs and requires this faith. We have therefore undertaken the fight against the atheistic movement, and that not merely with a few theoretical declarations: we have stamped it out."
Adolf Hitler, in a speech delivered in Berlin, 24 October 1933

Jesus did not call them Abraham's children, but a "brood of vipers" [Matt. 3:7]. Oh, that was too insulting for the noble blood and race of Israel, and they declared, "He has a demon' [Matt 11:18]. Our Lord also calls them a "brood of vipers"; furthermore in John 8 [:39,44] he states: "If you were Abraham's children ye would do what Abraham did.... You are of your father the devil. It was intolerable to them to hear that they were not Abraham's but the devil's children, nor can they bear to hear this today.------Martin Luther

Hitler stated: "Christ was the greatest early fighter in the battle against the world enemy, the Jews . . . The work that Christ started but could not finish, I--Adolf Hitler--will conclude."

"And the founder of Christianity made no secret indeed of his estimation of the Jewish people. When He found it necessary, He drove those enemies of the human race out of the Temple of God. ---- Adolph Hitler, Mein Kampf, pp.174

"Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord."
Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Ralph Mannheim, ed., p. 65, New York: Mariner Books, 1999

"And the founder of Christianity made no secret indeed of his estimation of the Jewish people. When He found it necessary, He drove those enemies of the human race out of the Temple of God.
---Adolph Hitler, Mein Kampf, pp.174

Many times Althaus explained to Christians his preference for the Third Reich over the former Weimar Republic. “We Christians know,” he stated, “that we are bound by God’s will to the promotion of National Socialism, so that all members of the people will be ready for service and sacrifice.” (“Kirche and Staat,” p. 29)

Paul Althaus, a Lutheran theologian of renown in Germany, warmly greeted the rise of Hitler. He wrote that, “The Protestant churches have greeted the political turning point as a gift and miracle of God”.. (“Die deutsche Stunde der Kirche,” p.5)

In a speech to Polish Catholics, Hitler declared: “I as a German Catholic, ask only what is permitted to Polish Catholics. To be antisemitic is not to be un-Catholic. The Church used every weapon against the Jews, even the Inquisition. Christ himself was a pioneer in the fight against Judaism.” (ibid, p. 146)

At a Church conference, Hitler affirmed that the Catholic Church has always regarded Jews as evildoers and had banished them into ghettos. He (Hitler) is only doing what the Church had been doing for fifteen hundred years.. (ibid, p. 79)

“I do insist on the certainty that sooner or later – once we hold power – Christianity will be overcome and the German Church established. Yes, the German church, without a Pope, and Luther, if he could be with us, would give us his blessing.” (Adolf Hitler, Hitler’s speeches, edited by Prof. N.H. Baynes [oxford, 1942], pg. 369.)

“If I find a Jew to baptize, I shall lead him to the Elbe bridge, hang a stone around his neck, and push him into the water, baptizing him with the name of Avraham!.. I cannot convert the Jews. Our lord Christ did not succeed in doing so; but I can close their mouths so that there will be nothing for them to do but to lie upon the ground.” – Martin Luther


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Answer 1

Martin Luther is a protestant hero

Answer 2

Yes but Luther was the product of his age that was thoroughly anti-semitic, Hitler was not. It was expected in Luther's time but not in Hitler's. Luther may have advocated these things but Hitler actually did them. Everybody has faults and it just so happens that some are bigger than others. If you would look back through everything that I have said you will find things that I am not proud of and in retrospect were a mistake. Just like everybody else and if you want to be the one to throw the first stone be aware that eventually you will reap a whirlwind because somewhere someone will call you on it.

Answer 3

The comparison is dishonest and accounts for neither the complexity of Luther's life and attitude toward the Jews, nor the times in which he lived. Furthermore, while Luther's statements were inexcusable, there is no evidence that they were racially motivated; rather, they were the result of his unrealistic expectation that all honest people would recognize and accept what he believed to be the truth.

Answer 4

You know, there have always been people who were members of a religious group who have been prejudiced and who did horrid things. I acknowledge this.

However, does that mean that EVERYONE ought to leave that group? I say, "No."
What do you want us to do?

Abandon Christ because some who said they were Christians cmmitted horrid acts?

Would it make you happy if I said, "Yes, ML was horrible, so I am leaving the faith!"

Would that make sense?

If an atheist or someone who believes as you do was a murderer, does that mean you ought to say that all those who share your beliefs need to leave and pursue another faith/religion/belief system?

What does Martin Luther or Hitler have to do with MY being a Christian and MY following the teachings of Christ?

Does what these folks did make it bad to be a Christian? Does it make US the same as them?

NO! It does not.

Answer 5

These two are the perfect example of psychotic geniuses. You know 'em, too intelligent for their own good...so their mind crosses that boundary over to the insane side.

Martin Luther had some wonderful and revolutionary ideas, as well as those of a psychopath.

He is recognized for his good traits.

Answer 6

Martin Luther advocated burning synagogues and killing Jews, but Hitler actually had it done.

Answer 7

I love the smell of irony in the morning....-deep breath- Ah....

Answer 8

You are of course familiar with the phrase - '... by their fruits you will know them.'