Peace Lutheran Church is a small Lutheran church in Fort Lauderdale, FL. 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
