I need to make this perfectly clear: There is no possible way to biblically justify the murder of Dr. George Tiller. Before God murder is murder. At this same time, there is a painful lesson to learn about biblical church discipline in the midst of Tiller's death.

Tiller was shot to death on May 31 in the narthex of Reformation Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Wichita, KS. He was known nation-wide because his medical clinic is one of only three in the United States that performs late term abortions. Tiller's clinic was the site of protests when I was attending Wichita State University more than 20 years ago.

It should be noted that the ELCA does not support abortion on demand, as evidenced by an official statement on the topic. Likewise the LCMS does not support abortion on demand. While both denominations allow that there are exceptions where abortion is ethical, as I understand it, neither justify late term abortion. This led to debates in my home town as to whether Tiller should be under church discipline. It was understood in the Lutheran community that he was not under such discipline at his church.

There is no way to know whether God would have worked through church discipline to bring repentance in Tiller's life. I have at times wondered how many, if any, lives would have been spared if church discipline were applied. Among Lutherans church discipline has fallen into such disuse that most church members do not know the biblical steps it requires. I know full well from parish ministry how difficult it is to get the board of elders, let alone Voters Assembly, to exercise church discipline. It is always a painful process. However, there is almost always a price to pay for nothing following God's will. It is my hope that circumstances around Tiller's murder will cause Christians to get past their avoidance of biblical church discipline.