Peace Lutheran Church is a small Lutheran church in Lauderdale, MN. A member of the radically progressive Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), they are led by Rev. David Greenlund, and, according to their website, they believe in “learning and questioning, exploring God from many diverse perspectives, serving ALL by being peacemakers in our community & world.”
During his December 21, 2025 Christmas sermon, in a convoluted and disjointed message, Greenlund shares his belief that Mary was not a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus but rather was raped.
There has long been the tradition within the gospels and in other literature around the gospels and gospels that weren’t printed that say Mary was raped.
I’ve never said that on a church service before, right? Or Mary was, you know, unfaithful, you know? Or whatever. But the notion of her being raped-and some of them go as far as to say she was raped by a centurion soldier- and we only get a little smidgen of that in Matthew, where Joseph takes front stage here.
Who I’ve always said ‘what what does Joseph got to do with it anyway,’ right? You know, he’s got no DNA involved here, you know, so why didn’t even give him any kind of role at all.
He continues:
You know, Mary was raped. Why would I be so afraid to say that? Are any of you surprised? Anybody? Yeah, a couple should be surprised. It’s not something that we write about in the Lutheran.
Shameful? And all the women out there that have been raped that choose to keep the child? How many of us think ‘why would you do that, A reminder of the violence and the violation. Why would you do that?’ And over and over again it happens.
"Mary was raped. I've never said that on a church service before, right? Or Mary was, you know, unfaithful, you know? Or whatever."
— Protestia (@Protestia) January 17, 2026
Lutheran pastor (ELCA) says Mary was not a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus, questions Joseph's role in the birth story. pic.twitter.com/b2rMqL119v
Editor’s Note: A prior version of this article said the church was in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The church is in Lauderdale, MN.
6 responses to “Lutheran Pastor Says Mary was ‘R*****, Not a Virgin When She Gave Birth to Jesus”
“3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
It’s just about guaranteed none of the satan-serving reprobates sitting in that audience will bother to check for themselves whether or not there’s any such claim “within the Gospels”. They’ve heard what their itching ears wanted to hear, and their “pastor” has given them the excuses they wanted.
***PROTESTIA STAFF WRITER***
This church and pastor is in Lauderdale, MN. You might want to get your facts straight, as well as offer the church in FL an apology.
Good catch – fixing now. I don’t think there’s a “Peace Lutheran Church” in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, is there?
As soon as I read the headline, my first thought was: ELCA.
[…] Lutheran Pastor Says Mary was ‘R*****, Not a Virgin When She Gave Birth to Jesus […]
Another wolf in sheep’s clothing. Scripture is perfectly clear as to the circumstances, especially Mary’s consent. So, nope, no grape. Not sure what the goal is of the false teaching. Shock value maybe?