This is the fourth in a series on Christianity and the history of antisemitism. While we are often reminded to, “Never forget,” many of us were never taught this history. The goal is to help us recognize when the church uses its power to harm marginalized groups—and to take action.

In the previous articles, we explored how Christianity began as a Jewish movement but later distanced itself from Judaism due to theological and political motivations. This led to centuries of Jewish persecution, including the Crusades, the Inquisitions, and widespread pogroms.

By the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther, introduced new theological challenges to the Catholic Church. However, instead of improving Jewish-Christian relations, the Reformation intensified antisemitism, particularly through Luther’s violent writings against Jews.

This article will examine:

The Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther’s Antisemitic Writings
The Continued Persecution of Jews in Protestant and Catholic Europe
How Christian Antisemitism Influenced the Holocaust

1. The Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther’s Antisemitic Writings

The Protestant Reformation (1517–1648) was a religious revolution that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. Martin Luther, a German monk, played a central role in this movement by rejecting Catholic doctrines such as indulgences, papal supremacy, and the authority of Church tradition.

Initially, Luther hoped to convert Jews to Christianity, believing that if they were freed from Catholic oppression, they would accept Jesus as the Messiah. However, when Jews rejected his message, his attitude toward them changed dramatically.

Luther’s Early Approach to Jews

In 1523, Luther wrote That Jesus Christ Was Born a Jew, in which he argued that Jews should be treated kindly so they would convert.
He criticized Catholic persecution of Jews, believing it prevented their conversion.

However, when Jews refused to accept Christianity, Luther turned violently against them.

Luther’s Antisemitic Writings

By the 1540s, Luther wrote some of the most hateful and dangerous works against Jews in Christian history.

“On the Jews and Their Lies” (1543)

In this book, Luther called Jews:

“Poisonous, devilish, and evil people”
“A blasphemous burden” on Christian society
“Thieves and robbers” who should be expelled or destroyed

Luther also advocated violence against Jews, urging rulers to:

Burn synagogues and Jewish schools
Destroy Jewish homes
Confiscate Jewish religious books
Prohibit rabbis from teaching
Expel Jews from Christian lands

These ideas influenced centuries of Protestant antisemitism, particularly in Germany.

“The Shem Hamphoras” (1543)

In this work, Luther mocked Jewish theology and called for the expulsion of Jews. He described Jews as the devil’s people and claimed they were beyond salvation.

The Impact of Luther’s Antisemitism

Luther’s writings became a foundation for later German antisemitism. His ideas:

Justified anti-Jewish policies in Protestant territories.
Encouraged violence against Jewish communities.
Were later used by Nazis to justify persecution of Jews.

By the time of his death in 1546, Luther had radicalized Protestant attitudes toward Jews, setting the stage for further discrimination and violence.

2. Continued Persecution of Jews in Protestant and Catholic Europe

Although Luther’s antisemitic ideas were extreme, antisemitism was widespread throughout both Protestant and Catholic Europe.

Jewish Persecution in Protestant Territories

Germany (16th–18th centuries) – Protestant rulers expelled Jews from several cities, citing Luther’s writings.
England (17th century) – Jews were allowed to return under Oliver Cromwell, but antisemitic restrictions remained.
Scandinavia – Jews were largely banned from living in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

Jewish Persecution in Catholic Europe

Spain and Portugal (16th–18th centuries) – The Inquisition continued hunting Jews suspected of practicing Judaism in secret.
France – Jews faced expulsions, ghettos, and legal discrimination.
Poland and Russia – Jews lived under strict laws that limited their rights and forced them into segregated areas.

Both Protestant and Catholic leaders reinforced the idea that Jews were outsiders, undeserving of rights in Christian society.

3. How Christian Antisemitism Influenced the Holocaust

By the 19th and 20th centuries, centuries of Christian antisemitism had deeply shaped European society, making Jews scapegoats for political, social, and economic problems. These ideas played a direct role in the rise of Nazi ideology and the Holocaust.

Key Ways Christian Antisemitism Influenced Nazi Ideology

1. The “Christ-Killer” Myth

For centuries, Christian leaders accused Jews of killing Christ, portraying them as a cursed people. The Nazis used this myth to justify blaming Jews for Germany’s struggles.

2. Luther’s Influence on Nazi Antisemitism

Adolf Hitler praised Luther in Mein Kampf, calling him a great reformer.
Nazi propaganda used Luther’s writings to justify anti-Jewish policies.
Kristallnacht (1938), when Jewish synagogues and businesses were burned, was carried out on Luther’s birthday as a symbolic act.

3. Catholic and Protestant Support for the Nazis

While some Christian leaders opposed the Nazis, many supported them or remained silent.

In Germany, many Protestants embraced Hitler, seeing him as a defender of Christian values.
Catholic leaders in Austria and Poland did not actively resist Nazi antisemitism.
The Eastern Orthodox Church in Russia and the Balkans remained largely passive during the Holocaust.

The Holocaust: The Deadly Consequence of Centuries of Christian Antisemitism

From 1933 to 1945, the Nazis murdered six million Jews, using Christian antisemitic stereotypes to justify their crimes.
Jewish ghettos, first created by Christians in the Middle Ages, became Nazi concentration camps.
Laws banning Jews from public life echoed medieval church policies.
The “Jewish Question,” discussed by Luther, became the Nazis’ “Final Solution.”

The Holocaust was not just the result of Nazi ideology—it was the culmination of centuries of Christian antisemitism.

Conclusion: The Deadly Legacy of Christian Antisemitism

The Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther, did not bring religious freedom for Jews—it deepened antisemitism, leading to persecution, expulsions, and violence.

Luther’s writings were used to justify violence against Jews for centuries.
Both Protestant and Catholic Europe continued persecuting Jews.
Nazi Germany used Christian antisemitic ideas to justify the Holocaust.

The Holocaust was not an isolated event—it was built on a foundation of Christian antisemitism that had existed for over 1,500 years.

Next in This Series

This series will continue exploring:

Christian Antisemitism in the 19th and 20th centuries.
How Nazi propaganda used Christian imagery to justify genocide.
The failure of Christian leaders to oppose the Holocaust.