The whole story is here, care of the Washington Post.
Anna and I talked about this last night, and I'm am curious to see what the rest of you think. I believe that the person who did this is a murderer, and certainly has hurt the pro-life movement with their actions. They were wrong to do it, and there is nothing in their actions that reflects Christ or His love for the lost.
However, I cannot say that I am surprised by this crime. This man had been aborting babies (read: killing unborn children) since the 1970's. It made me think about the verse in the Bible about those that live by the sword. Is this an example of God's justice, or simply one misguided person being taken down by another misguided person?
Another thing that really makes this case interesting is the fact that he was shot attending church, specifically the Wichita Reformation Lutheran Church in Kansas. That link goes to their mission statement page. I have to wonder how the pastor there felt about his famous parishioner; after all, Dr. Tiller was a well-known figure and had been in the center of the right-to-life controversy for some time, having been shot before. Is abortion something that is sanctioned by reformed Lutherans? Was the pastor trying to reach out to Dr. Tiller and convince him to change his ways? If Dr. Tiller was a Christian, how did he reconcile his actions with his beliefs?
These are just some of the questions that I'm struggling with now. My heart goes out to Dr. Tiller's family and friends, and I hope that in this tragedy the love of God can work in their lives to draw them all close to Him. Having said that, my heart is also with all of the children whose lives were ended by the doctor in the name of "a woman's right to choose."
-Matt
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I don't know about that being God's way to bring justice to him for his actions. I know God is a Just God, but I don't believe having another man commit murder is His way of justice. Yet, He can use this to bring glory to Himself? Certainly!
ReplyDeleteMy question is, was this Dr. a true believer? If he truly followed Christ, there is no way he could defend that what he was doing is right! Since I am in no position to judge whether or not he was a believer, I will just say this. If he was a believer, it is very sad that he was committing this awful sin, and that his church did not discipline him (like what we talked about in Bible Study 2 weeks ago). If he was not a believer, then justice has been carried out and he will spend eternity separated from the Lord.
Our world is in a sad state, and it's only going to get worse. I encourage you all to be a shining light of the Lord. Spread His good news to those you come in contact with. Be looking and watching for His return!!
~A
This is a really rough one for me. I really hate abortion. I cannot think of any offense against mankind so disturbing, so disgusting, so vile. My heart breaks continuously thinking about the atrocities that occur in abortion clinics around the world and especially in our own country. I cannot understate the level of emotions that course though me even as I write this.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, this man should not have been murdered. I suppose that's true. But I cannot imagine anyone blinking an eye if someone had just walked up to Hitler and shot him in the chest. This man was a murderer and we should not forget that. No one should be murdered. We cannot, however, let this man become a martyr for his cause. 50 million is enough already. 50000000. Over 16% of our current population. That's insane.
As far as judging this man's faith, I think his works speak loudly enough for themselves. I hope that he wasn't a christian if only for the reason that I can't fathom how that pastor would continuously let this man in the body unless it were true. Maybe he was trying to reach out to him, get him to change his ways. If not, I fear for that pastor's soul a hundred fold than that of the "doctor's."
I feel like I should clarify, to try to convince you that I really do think murder is wrong no matter what. And I do. I cannot bring my thoughts on this matter full circle, however. I cannot pretend that I am not happy (or at least relieved) that a viscous murderer has been put to death (even if it was illegally so). If our government fails to do it's job protecting the innocent, I believe that we are as citizens are called to do so ourselves, otherwise there would be no Untied States of America at all, would there?
Do not misunderstand me. I am not looking so condemningly on women that have abortions as much doctors that preform them. I understand the pits of despair that might lead one to have something so horrific done to them, or to make such an awful choice. I think that's a totally different ball park that extends past the boundaries of this "post a comment" box.
Let me just say in closing that I cannot conceive of any circumstance in which I would kill another human being in "cold blood" as they say. Even abortion "doctors." Rest assured that I in no way condone activities of those that would shoot, bomb or otherwise kill civilians.
I'm going to stop now, before I go to jail.