Words

[Patricia Weststeyn]

If only we always used words and not violence what a safe place we would live in. I know abortion is wrong and we should never EVER condone it, but should the church goer in Kansas be allowed to kill a man because of his personal choices?? I went to check my email and I saw an article of a late term abortion doctor who was murdered inside the walls of a church by another member of that church, a 51 yr old man is now in custody for killing a 67 yr old doctor; an usher.

Would GOD look fondly on such a man who went to church faithfully and served his place as a Lutheran and good citizen but at the same time overlook his profession?? I wonder why such a man would continue to do his job but show his face in GOD'S house...it baffles me. I believe that neither man will see GOD'S face and kingdom for their crimes but what are we do say to our children in 5 year when they see an anti-abortion protest on the news or hear of this happening again??

I know he may have not made his maker happy by what he has done to innocent children but does his sins make it okay to kill him and lose your salvation in the process...??

[kaye]

very good questions. and not all of them are answerable here on earth. the doctor that was killed was an usher in a church. the only one who knows what he really felt and believed is God. the man who shot him was also a church-goer. he might have thought he was doing God's will. according the commandments, they both were wrong. but God sees their hearts. David killed one of his own men; Paul killed Christians; the list goes on and on. So, we will probably not know until we get to heaven ourselves if they truly believed and if they sought God's face. and don't forget that words wound too, just not in ways that we can see physically.

[Bonnie]

What if there was more to this story? What if the man who killed him had a 13 year old daughter who went to this doctor and this doctor never told his church going brother in Christ and instead took his grandchild's life? Does that make murder wrong? Of course not...Does either man get to see the face of God? King David had Bathsheba's husband killed and Moses killed the Egyptian that was beating his fellow Hebrew. Will they see the face of God? What happens at death? Do any of us know what happens? Hurting people hurt people! We need to pray for these families!

[grammykittylynn]

AND ISNT FORGIVENESS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO A TRULY REPENTANT HEART?

[Patricia Weststeyn]

I believe that the man who shot him can ask for and receive forgiveness but why would you risk seeing your wife grow old and your family be there for you till your dyeing day to kill a man that you have no control over?? It makes me wonder what kind of church is a Lutheran Reform church to allow that doctor to be an usher. I've always been a part of churches where if you were doing something against the word of God you weren't allowed to be anything but a member.My husband first said that this man committed a 'righteous kill' and I don't believe there is anything of the sort. Just makes you wonder what people are thinking about when they see their fellow Christians at church.

[Sheri]

Roeder did not commit a "righteous kill" Tricia, you and I both know that, and you're right, there is nothing of the sort, unless it's by God's own hand. What Dr. Tiller chose as a profession, in our eyes as Christian's was also wrong, however, as I see it, he wouldn't have been in business if these women wouldn't have come to him asking and wanting late term abortion (something my mind cannot even conceive). Both sides of the story is heartbreaking. A man, dedicated to his church, God (at this point I won't question), and his family. Gunned down in God's house in front of his wife and brothers and sisters in Christ. A family victimized by a traumatic, senseless, violent act. Then we have Roeder, the killer, where's his family? How are they suffering? They will be carrying his shame the rest of their lives also.

Tricia, sadly, churches today don't follow sound doctrine, this doctor had the money to buy his way into the "graces" of his church. Unfortunately, God, doesn't need his money. I think many people will be surprised when that day finally comes for them. We just need to stay aligned with Jesus' teaching, and follow the Holy Spirit, it doesn't matter what man says, we are not here to follow man, we are here to follow Jesus.