I trust many readers have heard the reports out of Wichita that George Tiller, the well-known abortion doctor, was murdered yesterday at his church.As Christians, we ought to strongly oppose this kind of violence, no matter how violent the victim himself was. Paul clearly instructs Christians to leave vengeance to the Lord (Romans 12:19), and this cold-blooded killer did not do that. Taking life as a protest to the taking of innocent life is wrong, and these types of acts are likely to be set-backs to the pro-life cause, as the media often highlight these stories instead of the many cases where pro-life advocates lovingly serve women who are considering or have had abortions.
In any event, what struck me in CNN's report of the murder was this quote from Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry. In condemning the murder, Terry went on to say, "We grieve for him that he did not have time to properly prepare his soul to face God."
I found this interesting, since Tiller was murdered while serving as an usher in his church, Reformation Lutheran Church. Terry assumes that because Tiller killed unborn babies, that his soul was not prepared to meet God. I take that to mean that Terry assumes Tiller was not genuinely a Christian, though he served in his local church.
Perhaps this is a right assumption; I am inclined to agree with him. I certainly would have strong reservations about welcoming George Tiller into membership in my local congregation. But is it possible that Terry is wrong in assuming that George Tiller was not prepared to face God yesterday morning? Could Tiller have been a Christian and continue to perform abortions for a living?
If Tiller had been a habitual gossip instead of a habitual murderer, would Terry have made the same remark? Is it right to condemn one sin as making a person unprepared to face God, while another sin (say, self-righteous condemnation of people who perform abortions) is not so bad that it makes us unprepared to face God?
I don't have definitive answers to all these questions; I'm just thinking aloud about these things. Readers, I am curious to know your thoughts...
Larry,
ReplyDelete1 John 1:8 - "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
The church, and George Tiller, say they "have no sin", by denying that murder is murder. It's more than a safe assumption that this is not a Christian church, nor that George Tiller is a Christian. He was a "Jezebel"; Christ speaks directly to such a "church" in Revelation 2:18-29
I think 1 Corinthians 5 speaks directly to this exact situation. Denying "sin" is "sin" is something Satan has been getting us to do since the beginning. He was not a "habitual" abortionist; he denied that it was sin.
Committing sin to combat sin is abhorent to the character of God. The murderer of the murderer should be condemed just as strongly.
However, he should have been expelled from their fellowship (after proper steps were taken, of course), not made an usher.
What do you think?
Will
I have the same question as Will. How could a man such as George Tiller be allowed to serve (let alone attend) a Christian church?
ReplyDeleteThe Christian church doesn't want to judge anyone for their sins these days. That's the larger issue. If I'm a gossip, I should be disciplined in a Biblical way by the church leadership. As such, a man who makes a living killing babies should also be disciplined (expelled) from the church.
1 Cor 5 reinforces this by: What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
Also - Its a bit of a straw man to say "self-righteous condemnation of people who perform abortions." I think its ok to say those who continue to murder (showing lack of repentance and sorrow for sin) will go to Hell. Where else will they go? Nevertheless - the Gospel is the ultimate solution to all sins comitted.
Thanks for commenting guys. As you can probably imagine, the post was more intended to provoke thought than make a strong statement about George Tiller's salvation. I certainly tend toward agreeing with Randall Terry's assessment.
ReplyDeleteI guess the real question I was asking was, 'Is it possible that a man could be thoroughly convinced that abortion is not murder, yet still be a Christian?' If Tiller (like many abortionists) freely admits that he is killing human lives and does it anyway, then certainly he is living in sin and reveals a heart that does not know Christ in a saving way.
But is it possible that he lived a very devout life, but just in this case was blinded to the sin he was committing and could possibly still be saved? I would say its exceedingly unlikely; I just don't know if I would say it's impossible.
Also, for the record, Tiller had been excommunicated from one church and then started going to the church he was in when he was murdered. Which leads me to believe that he was confronted about the fact that abortion was evil and remained unrepentant. That would lead me to agree with Terry that he was not prepared to meet his Judge on Sunday morning.
Matt -- Not sure exactly what you mean regarding the straw man idea. Could you explain? I wasn't accusing Terry of being self-righteous, just calling attention to the fact that the Church tends to elevate some sins above others, when in reality they are all deserving of condemnation. We know that murder, adultery, etc. can send us to hell; we aren't as quick to identify religious pride and self-righteousness as damnable. Yet Jesus insists that they both imperil the soul.
Does that make any sense?
Definitely makes sense.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the straw man... i think the choice of the term "self righteous" immediately portrays a negative, especially toward one who speaks out against injustice (in this case abortion).
Consider our message to be that of a great king. The king has decreed that because of a rebellion, all the subjects will be judged according to their involvement in the insurrection. I may deliver the message, but am powerless to act out the judgment. I deliver the message nonetheless, since it is my duty as a messenger to proclaim it (as well as the Gospel of course)
I think the question "can one be a Christian and still sin" has an obvious answer of yes. But where the slippery slope comes is disregard, in pride, for what the Bible explicitly says is wrong. Did Tiller know, in his concience that killing babies was wrong? Romans 1 says he did. But instead of accusing him (as the law should), it excused him.
It is this kind of thinking that affects self righteous people as well as abortion doctors. The deception that God will overlook sin and justice for the sake of the "good deeds" in my life.
I see what you're saying, Matt. When I use the term self-righteous I don't mean a person who calls sin what it is. What I mean is a person who feels superior to others because of something that he or she does.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a matter of delivering the message that a person is a sinner and needs Christ's salvation. It is an attitude which is condescending and critical toward those who do not live or believe like us, as if the difference between us and them is something that WE have done, instead of realizing that we differ only by the grace of God.