Stories of violence in church make national news quite easily and rather naturally. It’s automatically newsworthy because the assumption is that if there is any place that should be immune from violence, then it should be the church. The sanctuary which describes “a place of refuge or safety” sadly has often been a place where broken people actively target the venom of their brokenness toward others who are also seeking refuge.
Such is the case with Dr. George Tiller who was killed in church on Sunday, May 31st. Reports indicate that he was an usher in his church, but that’s not all that he was. He is also described as one of the few physicians in the country who still performed late-term abortions – abortions after the 21st week of pregnancy. A quote from Planned Parenthood in a CNN article says that the abortions were “almost always circumstances where something had gone horribly wrong with a pregnancy.”
His killer allegedly showed up at the Lutheran Church in Wichita and shot Tiller dead in the foyer. While the investigation is ongoing and nothing is certain at this point, many believe that Tiller’s killer shot him because he performed the controversial procedures at his clinic. Tiller was known to have a bodyguard and his clinic endured regular vandalism. He was also shot through both arms in 1993 by an anti-abortion activist who is currently serving time in a federal prison.
In learning of Tiller’s murder, I was reminded of a conversation that I had in DC with new friends last week. One of them said we must always be careful to check ourselves when protesting the actions of others lest we transform into what we detest in them. In this sad situation, one who decried the actions of the so-called “baby killer” allows himself to become a killer as well.
Is either murder justifiable in the gaze of God?
Is it that easy to categorically reject the belief that ALL of us were created in the Imago Dei – the very image of God – even when we don’t act like it which is 99.9% of the time. The fetuses are dead. The doctor is dead. The shooter is incarcerated. And Tiller’s wife, 4 children, and 10 grandchildren are grieving tonight while the janitor at the church cleans up his blood.
Does this sound like the type of abundant life that God desires for us? I say no. It sounds more like the Thief has been here and has successfully fulfilled his mission to steal, kill, and destroy.
Today I pray for the shooter. I pray for his family. I pray for Dr. Tiller’s family. I pray for the women who have passed through Tiller’s clinic and will never forget.
God help us all!
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