Thank you for posting this, lightman. It looks like nearly everyone gets condemned as a murderer in this piece (since murdering is done in all sorts of ways - even with the tongue), which is classic Lutheran theology. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I suppose - under these circumstances - that no one would be in worship if we barred sinners from it. Anyone heard of simul justus et peccator? Any Lutherans bashing other Lutherans should be ashamed of themselves.
There’s a lot of Pharisaism in these posts, frankly. Who knows what was in the heart of Dr. Tiller? Who knows what he wrestled with? None of us knows. And if murder is murder - and if murderers shouldn’t be allowed to worship - or even usher!! - then what on earth do we do with our military members of congregations who have been overseas and who have killed (a killing that is regularly held up as patriotic and moral rather than sinful and immoral)? I sure wouldn’t bar them from worship. Would any of you??
And please let’s cut the ELCA bashing. My ELCA church preaches Christ crucified - for my sins and the sins of the world, and this is what St. Paul calls preachers to do. Our job as believers is to confess our own sin and note the log in our own eyes and beg for God’s mercy like the tax collector who went away justified - not condemn others like the Pharisee, who was not thereby justified.