Sarah Palin: Should a woman be Vice President?
September 4, 2008
Wow! Did Sarah Palin knock one out of the park last night at the RNC? I think so. She was as impressive with her demeanor as she was in the content of the speech. I don’t know, but I have to think the liberals are reeling and wondering how the Republicans could get such an upper hand. What Bill Clinton must be thinking right now is probably better for another arena of discussion.
But I wonder what others think about a woman being Vice President (or President). The bible teaches a complementarian position with regard to woman and their roles in the family and church. What about roles in the government?
David Kotter at the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood has written:
From the outset we must remember that on November 7 the voters will not elect a national minister or pastor in chief. A president is not held to the same moral standards as an elder of a church. While it is a blessing from God to have ethical or even Christian political leaders, the Bible places no such requirements on secular governments. Even though the Bible reserves final authority in the church for men, this does not apply in the kingdom of this world.
Kotter goes on to offer some thoughts on being a mother and running for office:
Women should not be held back from an office that is not strictly forbidden in the Bible. Nevertheless, the question remains whether or not it is wise for a specific woman in a particular season of life to seek such an office — and the same would apply to any man. In evaluating individual cases, a spouse and a local church pastor would be a crucial source of counsel and a means of grace from God. Because of cultural voices to the contrary, we must remind ourselves of the unbelievably high calling of being a wife and mother, and that faithful service in the home is just as pleasing to God as national leadership.
I believe Kotter’s advice and analysis is right on. Read the rest here.
September 4, 2008 at 8:35 am
I listened to the majority of her speech on the radio on my way home from class last night. I couldn’t keep from pumping my fists in agreement several times, particularly with her insightful criticisms of Obama. I was anxious to catch the last few minutes of the telecast (after all, this is history in the making) so I could compare her demeanor on camera with how poised and confident she came across over the radio. I walked downstairs to find my wife cheering on the edge of the couch! I agree, Les. Whether you agree with the McCain/Palin ticket or not, she did an excellent job.
Did you know that the vice presidential debate will be held at Wash U? Well, before Palin was chosen, I submitted my name into a lottery offered only to WU students for selection to attend. You never know, you may see my ugly mug on the tube asking senior ‘Bama a well thought out question on the sanctity of life. Or at least I can hope for such an opportunity to stand up for truth. As Sproul would say about the chances that the outcome of the lottery will be determined by the secular humanist’s impersonal ultimate sovereign, chance (which is really nothing more than a powerless man-made category for analyzing statistics): “Not a chance!”
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Prov. 16:13
Given that wordy ramble, what do you think the “chances” are now, after last night, that we’ll soon have a female vice president?
September 4, 2008 at 8:37 am
Wordy ramble being me, not Palin or Sacred Scripture. Just for clarification.
September 4, 2008 at 11:07 am
I have seen some other Reformed sites who expressed concern over whether or not she should be exercising authority over a man. But we must distinguish between the two kingdoms. I believe she can in fact be a governor and do her duties, and then come home and be a helpmeet. She could even become President (eventually), become the leader of the Free World and then when she is home, be subject to the authority of her husband.
Now I personally enjoy the fact that my wife wants and desires to stay in the home to raise our children. But that is my desire and want, and I don’t find it appropriate to project my desires of conscience onto her.
Plus, she’s great and looks like she could really kick some Biden butt!
Gage Browning
Post Tenebras Lux
September 4, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Absolutely she can! Gage is spot on – Palin will most likely not be giving sermons from the VP house.
Plus, give me a bulldog in lipstick any day over uh, well, um, ya know, someone who, uh, has a raging pastor and real estate deals with corrupt “Americans” any day.
September 4, 2008 at 1:44 pm
It was a great speech. I was very impressed with Palin.
September 4, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Nathan, I hope you get selected to ask a question. That would be awesome.
Gage and Jared, Amen!
Jay, I actually missed the live speech. I was at a meeting at church. But I watched a replay. I was very impressed.
September 5, 2008 at 6:22 am
Well….has anyone considered Isaiah 3:12?
“O My people! Their oppressors are children, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who guide you lead you astray, and confuse the direction of your paths.”
Women in places of civil authority, because of the abdication of man, is a sign of God’s judgment on that society.
There are times when I read Dabney and think him to have been a prophet who could see the future… Perhaps his understanding of the Bible made him appear so.
In “Anti-Biblical Theories of Rights,” Dabney states:
“If the Jacobin theory be true, then woman must be allowed access to every male avocation, including government, and war if she wishes it, to suffrage, to every political office, to as absolute freedom from her husband in the marriage relation as she enjoyed before her union to him, and to as absolute control of her own property and earnings as that claimed by the single gentleman, as against her own husband.”
Is this not a picture of the United States today?
While I like Palin MUCH better than McCain. My vote is that she concentrate on being a mother to the new baby the Lord has blessed her with and to her teenage daughter who is most definitely going to need her in the months to come.
September 5, 2008 at 10:30 am
Ds,
I do not think that the passage says quite that much. Hence Calvin:
It seems to me that this passage is referring to God’s judgment in a way such that weak leaders willingly fell in line with no resistance to their oppressors. i.e. even such as children and women (or perhaps effeminate men) could easily lead them. The indictment is that the people offered no resistance.
I cannot find, but am open to be shown, where scripture limits roles of women in political office, my hero Dabney notwithstanding.
September 5, 2008 at 4:24 pm
“Feeble and cowardly, therefore, must be the minds of those who obey delicate and effeminate men, and permit themselves to be oppressed by them”
If it is judgment to have an “effeminate man” rule over you, wouldn’t it be worse to have a woman who is the epitome of femininity? (Being a woman, I feel like I can say that and not get beat up too much
!)
The first verse that comes to mind is the one in Titus that instructs the older women what to teach the younger.
“Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husband,s to love their children, to be sensible, pure, WORKERS AT HOME, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.”
Biblically speaking, Israel was ruled by men. I do realize that Deborah judged Israel and was the exception to the rule… Is there really not a man to be found in the United States who could serve as Vice President, or is this just another ploy by McCain to win the presidency? Let’s be honest, Palin was picked for her gender.
September 5, 2008 at 10:59 pm
“Let’s be honest, Palin was picked for her gender.”
This is not the first time and it will not be the last time. However, this time there is blatant hypocrisy by the liberals and old media. Please check out the following:
McCain-Palin vs. Mondale-Ferraro
http://right-mind.us/blogs/blog_0/archive/2008/09/05/62872.aspx