Martin Luther’s Anti-Semitism, by Eric W. Gritsch

Gritsch exegetes Luther’s appalling anti-Semitic pronouncements, placing them—never excusing them—in social and theological context and tracing their reception over the centuries. In many ways, Luther’s attacks on followers of the Talmud fit all too easily into his critique of “works righteousness.” Gritsch suggests, however, that in confidently consigning the Jews to damnation, Luther ignored his own understanding of the theology of the cross and disregarded his own advice about not speculating on the hidden things of God.