Tiller, Murder, Hate, Anger, Sin, and Forgiveness

To be perfectly honest, I hesitated to write about this topic and add my small voice to the cacophony surrounding this weekend’s incidents. However, after reading the blogs, tweets, etc., I felt I had to say something.

Please note: This is NOT a philosophical, theological, political, or moral debate about the pros and cons of abortion. This is a straightforward commentary regarding the events surrounding the shooting and the American public’s reaction.

First, to the pro-choice crowd:

This despicable act of premeditated murder should not be used to condemn all Christians. To do so would be as disingenuous as condemning all Muslims for 9/11. It’s just plain stupid. To those who have condemned all Christians, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Second, to the pro-life crowd:

Condoning or even celebrating the cold blooded murder of a man is about as un-Christian as you can get. You know who you are. Quite honestly, you should be ashamed of yourselves, too.

That being said, there are two major points I’d like to make. The first deals with “free speech”, the other is a bit more theological in nature.

Free speech doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want!

You cannot get people all worked up into an emotional frenzy and then wash your hands of whatever comes next. Sorry, doesn’t work that way. This isn’t only my opinion, it’s also the opinion of the US Supreme Court, decided in Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969). Long story short, speech that is incitement to lawless action is NOT protected under the 1st Amendment.

Think about that the next time you hear a talking head (right or left) using over the top rhetoric as a way to gain ratings or increase their book sales.

Yes, this is directed at people like Randall Terry of Operation Rescue who is afraid that Tiller’s death will result in OR’s “most effective rhetoric and actions” being limited.

They should be…..if they cross the line to harassment and incite people to violence.  I believe there is, at least, some evidence that they do.

(It’s inevitable that someone will say “Yeah, but what about [insert random left wing group here]?  Two things:  1) This isn’t about them, so please try to focus here, and; 2) Yes, they are just as guilty under Brandenburg.)

This also goes out to Mr. Leach of the Prayer and Action Network who said, and I quote, “To call this (Tiller’s murder) a crime is too simplistic.  There is Christian scripture that would support this.“

Maybe if he’s been reading the Gospel according to St. Bastard.  This was a case of pure vengeance.  What does scripture say about vengeance?

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

Is this easy? Uhh…no.  But that’s sort of the point.  Living a Christian life is not supposed to be easy.

This brings me to my 2nd point, a more theological look at the atmosphere surrounding this issue.

In a twitter conversation last night with @flicka47, a conservative christian from California about forgiveness, she said: “What are you talking about forgiveness of sin only comes from God. No,you have it wrong..u forgive the sinner,NOT the sin. u can not forgive sinful behavior,only the person who stops the sinning”.  I’ll give her half credit on this, but someone needs a refresher on what Jesus said.

Following the resurrection, he appeared to his disciples and said:

“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:21-23

Are we to believe that this ONLY applied to those in that room that day? I’d have to say no. If that were true, then you open up the teachings of Christ to relativism…. a big no-no.  Then we get into the “Well, Jesus wasn’t talking about ME.”  Truth then gets lost.

Related to this is a phrase I despise…”Love the sinner, hate the sin!”  This makes the assumption that we can love and hate perfectly.  Truth is… we can’t.  How many times have we said “I love _______, BUT…..” or how often do we let our anger over sin contain some malice towards the person?  I’m guessing it’s often.  I’m guilty of it myself.  If you say you’re not, then my only reply is “liar, liar, pants on fire!”

The Apostle Paul knew this.  That’s why he said what he did.  He also said “..in your anger, do not sin!  Do not give the devil a foothold.”  I think being a reformed religious zealot gives him credible insight into how human anger can lead to sin.

Forgiveness isn’t for them, it’s for us.  It doesn’t “allow the devil a foothold” by releasing the anger and resentment we feel inside.  It allows us to better love each other by taking the focus off our inward hurts and pointing out towards others who are hurting.  It releases us from victimhood.  It allows God to use that hurt for his purpose….perhaps to reach out, help, and heal others who experience the same thing.

But most of all…. it’s what we are commanded to do.

I’ll leave you with this final thought.  If you are a person of prayer, there are three requests I’d like to make of you.

1) Pray for the family of Dr. Tiller, that God may bring them comfort and peace in their time of grief.

2) Pray for Scott Roeder, that God may soften his heart and that he will truly repent for what he’s done.

3) Pray for all of us, that in this time of anger, finger-pointing and outrage, that God would grant us all the wisdom we need to deal with this topic with understanding, compassion, and, most of all, love.