Luther and Modern Messianics

I recently read a comment contained within a larger discussion that has gotten me thinking. The conversation was related to Church History and this part of the conversation was about Martin Luther. The statement that struck me was about how, even in our modern “Messianic” or “Hebrew Roots” circles today, the same spirit of anti-semitism that Luther had is alive and well. Let me explain a little…

Martin Luther is the man who, in 1517 made known his views regarding some of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church by posting his 95 Thesis to the door of Schlosskirche (castle church). He had hoped to spark discussion that would lead to reform within the church, but it ended up leading to his being excommunicated from the Catholic Church. A new sect of Believers was born. This sect later became knows as the Lutherans, because they followed the teachings of Luther. His theology challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Pope in particular, by stating that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority. Sounds familiar to many of us, doesn’t it?

At first Luther was sympathetic to the Jews, wanting to preach that kindness be shown to the Jewish people and reminding people of something important through his work, That Jesus Christ was born a Jew. He put a lot of time and effort into teaching that the reason that the Jewish community had not accepted Jesus was due to the harsh persecution that they had faced for centuries and this treatment had led to their failing to see the Messiah as His Is. His early years probably looked very similar to the beliefs of many modern “Messianic” Believers or those who are interested in the “Hebrew Roots” of the faith. However, something changed.

When the Jewish community did not convert in masses, as Luther had hoped, he became angry. Really, why would the Jewish community convert to Christianity? The Messiah was being recognized as a Jewish man living a Jewish life, but many of the teachings about Him were one of what Scripture refers to as a false prophet. Conversion had been forced upon the Jewish people for so many centuries, and violently so, that any attempt to woo them to conversion was met with much suspicion. Understandably so!

So Luther became angry that his message wasn’t accepted, and that his goal wasn’t being reached. So what did he do? He became a rabid anti-semite. He became a major player in the continued persecution of the Jewish people “in the name of Jesus”, even today. Luther’s works have been used by many who are interested in seeing the Jewish people destroyed, and somehow thought it would be acceptable to G-d that they be persecuted and destroyed. (see John 16:1-4).

So how is this a similar, if not the same, spirit that is alive and flourishing in today’s modern Messianic or Hebrew Roots movements? It is a subtle mindset that I’ve seen growing in people in our area, it’s the same mindset that I’ve read from others in their writings or have heard in their audio files. It’s subtle, but it’s there.

How many groups do you know of who are “Pro Israel” or missionary minded and aimed toward the Jewish People? I know of several. Some are rather – in your face and offensive. Some are respectful and kind. Not that these are wrong in and of themselves, but the breeding ground for a change like Luther’s is ripe.

Are you offended when you think of how the Jewish people haven’t accepted the Messiah? What offends you – the fact that they are “wrong” and “living in blindness” or the fact that the Messiah’s Name and G-d’s Name have been dragged through the mud and so sullied that they are unrecognizable by the Jewish people? Are you offended or are you heartbroken? Truly, don’t give yourself the pat answer because it’s the “right” one but really look down deep and think. Ask yourself the hard questions and give yourself the real answers. Does this same spirit of anti-semitism that Luther had dwell in you, too? When the message you bear is rejected over and over, do you become angry?

Of course there are other ways that this anti-semitic spirit is at work within the Messianic and Hebrew Roots circles, but those are more obvious. When a “Messianic Pastor” is making a big show of a statement that he had thrown away his copy of the Talmud or chastises his congregants for doing “all that Jewish stuff”, there’s not much question as to where he stands. It’s easy to see the replacement theology at work in situations like these, and how it develops into anti-semitism.

We are to be a people of love and mercy, a people of sterling character who are devoted to our G-d and our Master. If we truly are His followers, we will be known by our love – John 13:35. Our love must be for both those who recognize the Master and those who do not. It doesn’t mean that we fellowship on a deep level with those who do not, but it does mean that our lives should be marked by love, respect, righteousness, mercy and grace. For what we have been given we need to extend to others as well. Besides, who ever said that we – you or I – have it all 100% correct? Only when the Master returns will things be set straight. Until such time we do the best we can with what we know and what we have. It will take effort, but we can do it.