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| Rev. Matthew Harrison (Photo by Erik M. Lunsford, LCMS) |
Amid congregational disturbances and online threats to church
leadership, Harrison is "rebuking an extremist effort to exert influence within
the conservative Lutheran denomination," report In a recent letter . . . Harrison said he was 'shocked to
learn recently that a few members of LCMS congregations have been
propagating radical and un-Christian views via Twitter and
other social media . . . . He noted far-right members were causing 'local
disruption' for congregations and alleged that LCMS leadership and
deaconesses had fallen victim to online threats."
Merriam-Webster defines "alt-right" as "a right-wing, primarily online
political movement or grouping based in the U.S. whose members reject
mainstream conservative politics and espouse extremist beliefs and
policies typically centered on ideas of white nationalism." In his letter, Harrison adds a more detailed view. "Harrison went on to rebuke the 'horrible and racist teachings of the
so-called ‘alt-right,’" listing ideologies such as "white supremacy,
Nazism, pro-slavery, anti-interracial marriage, women as property,
fascism, death for homosexuals, even genocide," RNS reports. "He noted that
while the LCMS is 'not a top-down institution,' he would work with local
pastors and district presidents 'to address this matter wherever it
arises among us and reject it.' Citing Scripture, he called on those
spewing hateful ideologies to repent."
RNS explains, "The letter comes in the wake of an article
published this month by anti-fascist group Machaira Action alleging the
'rise of a white supremacist faction within the Lutheran faith.' The
post singled out Corey Mahler, who has reportedly been active
in far-right circles and has posted about whiteness and
'white genocide' on Twitter. Mahler also identifies as a Christian
nationalist. . . .
Asked whether Mahler would be excommunicated, a
representative for the church he allegedly attends in Tennessee said the
matter was being handled internally but declined to comment further."
Harrison's
letter also addresses "a recent controversy over a new edition of
Luther’s Large Catechism," RNS reports. "Earlier this year, the
president asked Concordia Publishing House, the
denomination’s publishing partner, to pause distribution . . . citing
an 'online disturbance.'" The disturbances came in the form of Amazon
reviews of the new edition. "A one-star review complains, 'Women, forbidden from teaching according to
Scripture, are afforded extensive opportunities to do just that in this
sorry compilation.'. . . Others slam the accompanying essays as 'woke' and accuse them of promoting pedophilia."
In response to the harsh reviews, Harrison responded with a written update. “I have had time to re-evaluate the controverted sentences and found
that while some things might have been expressed more clearly,
nevertheless, there is nothing in the content of the volume promoting
critical race theory, confusion of sexuality issues, or any
theological position at odds with biblical and confessional
Lutheranism."
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