Note: I have a feeling that most of my regular readers are going to be horrified that I wrote this. So let me make it clear from the outset. I love you all, and I still count you as my friends even if you disagree with me 100% on this issue. Also, I am NOT SAYING ANYTHING about who should get your vote on November 4th. Let me repeat that. I AM NOT SAYING THAT YOU SHOULD NOT VOTE FOR McCAIN. I am only trying to call attention to what I perceive as dangerously faulty logic on the part of the evangelical community in America.
***
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. –1 Timothy 5:14
The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. –Titus 2:3-5
Most of us in the conservative Christian world see these verses as pointing women toward homemaking, especially women with young children. We counsel women to be their husband’s wives and their children’s mommies first and foremost in life. We write blog posts and articles about how important it is to be home. And we would never encourage a wife and mother who doesn’t need to work to put food on the table to go out and get a job just because she’d be so good at it. After all, the Bible says that when women neglect to obey these verses they are giving occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully, and opening the door for the word of God to be blasphemed. Those are pretty rough condemnations. So, never mind how brilliant you might be as an investment banker, dog catcher, or burger flipper, your family needs you at home, and your God has told you to be there. So put your vast talents to use where God has placed you, and leave the financial world, the stray dogs, and the hungry fast food customers in His hands.
OK, yup, yup. We’re all nodding our heads. So far, very few of you want to strangle me. But let’s say it’s not a question of stray dogs. Let’s say we’re talking about, oh, maybe the Office of the Vice President of the United States of America. Let’s say we’re talking about Sarah Palin. Screeeeeeeeech! Put on the brakes! Now watch as the entire evangelical community rises up in righteous indignation and shouts in unison:
BUT WHAT ABOUT DEBORAH?!
After all, Deborah was chosen by God as a leader of the nation of Israel, and she was a woman. This argument usually silences all naysayers. (Let’s not forget that her ticket is running against Barack Obama, and a vote against Sarah Palin is a vote for Communism, Terrorism, and Partial Birth Abortion. And seriously, who wants to do anything to further all that? Hey, people, don’t vote for Scary.)
Frankly, this response boggles my mind. If people were saying, look Barak Obama’s policies are horrendously bad for America, so maybe we should compromise and vote for the McCain Palin ticket even though it’s less than perfect, I would understand. I’d listen. I’d seriously consider. But this? Everyone in the pro-family world from James Dobson to quiverfull homeschool moms jumping for joy? What’s going on? We’re letting one example from the Old Testament negate clear commands from the New Testament.
Let’s apply this logic to another area and see where it takes us.
Let’s pretend that John McCain didn’t pick Sarah Palin as his running mate. Let’s pretend he picked Bob Smith, governor of the imaginary state of South Texas. Bob Smith is the Christian Right’s dream. He’s outspoken about his faith in the God of the Bible, goes to church every Sunday, and has a strong pro-life voting record. Not only that, but he’s the father of five children, including one with special needs. He’s got brilliant economic ideas, a disdain for big government, a history of standing up to the establishment for the good of the little guy, AND he’s a life member of the NRA who’s been known to serve rattlesnake steaks at his family ranch. Bob Smith also really likes to patronize prostitutes. He’s very careful to always obey the law, of course, and never solicits illegal prostitutes. He just takes all his vacations in Germany where prostitution is legal, and he can have have a good time with someone else every night. Mrs. Smith says she is just fine with this arrangement. This is the lifestyle that they have chosen, and she’s quite happy to be able to support her husband.
What is the response of the evangelical community going to be to Bob Smith as a Vice Presidential candidate? After all, the New Testament says clearly in 1 Corinthians 6:15:
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
Is anyone going to say, “Look, Governor Smith, you claim to be a Christian, but you are disobeying the Bible. What you are doing is demeaning to your wife, detrimental to your marriage, and makes you unfit for leadership.”?
And what if people start thinking, “you know maybe I can’t vote for a man who claims to be a Christian but loves to patronize prostitutes.”? What if they start saying it out loud? Is the whole evangelical community going to rise up in righteous indignation and shout in unison,
BUT WHAT ABOUT SAMSON?!
After all, Samson was chosen by God to lead the nation of Israel, and he patronized prostitutes (Judges 16:1). Is that argument instantly going to silence all naysayers? Are we all going to sit back quietly and dutifully vote for Bob come election day without admitting that, yeah, we really don’t like the fact that he patronizes prostitutes, but we don’t want to vote for Scary? Are we going to write books about The Faith of Bob Smith, and tell everyone how he’s such a great role model for our sons? Are we all suddenly going to decide that we love McCain, even though he’s actually pro-choice and pro-big government, just because he picked Bob as his running mate? Are we going to forget all about that whole “lesser of two evils” thing we were thinking back when McCain didn’t have a VP, and toot our horns gleefully for Bob Smith, America’s Samson?
Are we?
Just something to think about.
As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. –Isaiah 3:12
October 24th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
amen, amen, amen, amen. thats all I have to say bout that!
October 24th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
*nodding* I agree there’s a level of hypocrisy over the evangelical joy regarding Palin.
However, the evangelicals I know who do support Palin would say “well, patronizing prostitutes is a definite SIN… its adultery… but you can’t say unequivocally that a woman outside her home is an actual SIN… its just one of those grey areas of conviction… she’s just not convicted, so who are we to judge?”
October 24th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Great post….you know you didn’t horrify me!
October 24th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I’m not horrified in the least. I actually tried to bring these points up to my husband, family and an elder at our church and became so discouraged with the response that I have given up talking politics altogether.
I was amazed at how strong their reactions were against me. I think it is just that Obama is so scary to them that they don’t want to examine the alternative too closely.
I think I will be voting for McCain out of deference to my husband, but I have to confess I’d rather sit this one out altogether or do a write-in. What a relief that we can trust our all powerful God with the outcome and it is not dependent on us!
October 25th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Amen
I was really feeling discouraged until I realized that VA has several other choices-one of which is Chuck Baldwin. I was almost planning not to vote which really went against my conscious as I know God is in control but the right to vote was given us and I am led to follow through.
Peace came to me when I realized that even though McCain and Palin CAN do the job, I’m not sure they will. I am willing to support them if elected; but, I will not vote for a woman with her resposibilites to also add VP.
I know Baldwin can’t win. I also do not see this as a throw-away vote because I would not have voted otherwise. If other states don’t have choices that can be truly supported, then write in candidates are also allowed.
Unfortunately, there is really not much difference between either of the candidates
J in VA
October 25th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
and for further question, I have to wonder why people aren’t more concerned with his admitted adultery, the fact that he came back from being a POW to a wife who had been disfigured, proceeded a few years later to start seeing a women 25 years younger then his wife, then divorce his wife and marry the younger women a month later. That bothers me about his character in general.
Then I also find it interesting that he stated the dividing line between middle class and wealthy was $5 Million, and he couldn’t remember how many houses he owned.
Not even mentioning the fact that he voted yes to using discarded fetuses for stem cell research. Is he only against abortion when it is convenient?
Not saying that the alternative is the answer we are looking for either. It just seems that the evangelical community always wants a candidate to be excited about, and I have just been surprised at their often unquestioning support.
I can only rest in the fact that God is in control, and whomever is elected into office will not be a surprise to Him, their hearts are in the hands of the almighty.
October 25th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
The Scripture’s #1 command to a married woman is “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” – Ephesians 5:24. The issue is not whether or not Sarah Palin should or should not help rule the nation but whether she is doing her husband’s will. If Sarah Palin’s husband wants her on the GOP ticket then that is where she belongs. Her protection is in her obedience to her husband – once she resides in his will she is doing God’s will.
If you do not see this then I urge you to study Sarah, Rebekah or Esther. They were blessed by God and protected and within His will because they submitted to their husbands.
God used them powerfully. So if my husband asks me to dance for his boss – I’m dancing! If Sarah Palin is submitting to her husband and pleasing him . . . this is a fragrant offering to God and He will bless her (1 Peter 3:1-6). Far be it from us to judge this. However, I did notice that Todd Palin looks very pleased.
October 25th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Kathy,
You are absolutely right about the importance of submission. There was a woman at our church a few years ago who dearly wanted to homeschool her children, but her husband wanted them in public school. They went to public school. She wanted to be a full time homemaker, but he wanted her to work outside the home. She got a job. She was submitting, and I would never judge her or write a blog post criticizing her.
It is entirely possible that Sarah Palin is doing this out of submission to her husband. He could very well have sat her down, and said, “Sarah, I want you to have a career in politics.” She might have even cried and begged him to allow her to stay home and care for their children, and he may have insisted. It’s possible. It is also possible that this was all her idea, and he’s just going along with it. None of us will ever know the inner workings of the Palin household. And I am not judging Sarah Palin on a personal level.
The judgment I am making is the judgment inherent in our participatory political system. When we vote, we are making a judgment. When we decide to support a candidate in our conversations, or put up yard signs, or make a financial contribution, we are making a judgment. We are saying that we believe having this person in office is something that would be good for our country.
I do not believe that having Sarah Palin in office is going to be good for our country. Here’s why. Whatever the reality of her personal situation with her husband, we have to look at the message they are sending. And the message that is being sent to the families of this nation is not one of wifely submission. It is one of women’s “liberation” from the home. The Palins are telling the whole world that small children, even down to infants under the age of one, who are still breastfeeding, do not need their mothers’ full attention. How many young fathers are going to look at this and say to their heart-broken wives, “Honey, that baby doesn’t need you. Look at the Vice President. She’s a nice Christian lady with a baby, and she still has time to be second in command of a global superpower. Just get a job.”? How many young women are going to look at this and think, “Yeah, I can have it all. I can raise a large family AND be a CEO, no problem!”? I believe that anything that fosters ideas like this flies in the face of God’s plan for the family, and therefore, I cannot support Sarah Palin’s candidacy. If she is indeed doing this out of submission, I can certainly support her godly attitude. But I can’t put my piece of political power, small though it is, behind putting a mother of five children, some of whom are quite young, and most of whom still clearly need a Mommy, into one of the most demanding jobs on the planet.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
You hit the nail on the head. Feminism leaks into all aspects of our lives – if we allow it to do so! Including using the ‘Deborah’ argument to promote further feminism in this modern world.
I withheld my vote in our recent federal election, simply because there was NO ONE that had earned my support – if we give that support in our vote, we are supporting everything that that government party does. It is sad to watch my country’s liberalism/feminism/humanism effect all parts of our society.
It does leave me with the only hope that I should have, though. My soveriegn Lord.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
BTW, the will of God is found in the word, not in our husbands. Hopefully our husbands are finding it here and following through on it, but that does not negate our responsibility as wives from searching for and knowing His will, too.
October 26th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Bravo! Bravo for going “there.”
Fellow believers and family are sometimes quite defensive when I explain my opinion (something to the tune of your opinion stated) of the bigger picture of Palin’s vp’ing.
Great post!
October 26th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Really well done and thought-out. I must confess I haven’t dove into this like I should. You made me think of some things–Like the family that is struggling on this issue and decides to send the wife to work, based off the example of the V.P. candidate. I read parts of her biography and liked what I read about her character. What do we do with Christians who are sound in doctrine in many ways but leave a gaping hole in other issues? Not sure. Just glad my husband loves the Lord and Scriptures and sees the need for me to be home with the family.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I was wondering what you really thought about all of this. Nice to hear it. Brava!
October 30th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I’m a Catholic Christian member of an Institute for Cosecrated married people.Thank you for this post. I said something quite similar on our blog and nearly found myself ex-communicated! Obama and the abortion thing—no worries about who will rule the free world just who ’says’ he’s not for abortion.
Anyway I took a vow of obedience so I will do what is expected of me.
Interestingly I have been haveing one dream after another about headcovering. I am 60 with thinning gray hair and could use that as a good excuse for covering the stuff up but truth is when I do ‘my do’ people always stop to comment about how pretty my hair is. I am old enough to remember not even showing up for church if you didn’t at least have a half used kleenex to plop on your head. But I have been thinking a little deeper than that these days. As consecrateds we are not supposed to look like our religious branch–I guess they are still considered the real deal and we don’t want to confuse anybody. But I’d sure like a look at what you wear and I AM going to take the plunge and at least get a doily for Church and devotions because like this election thing I think there is something in it that God wants of me even though I don’t have the whole picture yet. there are a fair number of ladies in my crowd that wear mantillas and some form of hat. I’d be much olbliged if you could send me a photo–love having found this blog–All the best to you Mrs P.
Mary Montgomery
October 31st, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Hi Andrea! Great blog…highly eloquent and thoughtful. BTW, are men allowed to comment here? If not feel free to remove it, although I did scrutinize the posting policy beforehand.
So this is interesting…in theory I’m perhaps even more anti-feminist than you (based on a brief parousal of your posts), and yet I’m far more comfortable with calculated compromise once I’ve ruled out something as being a moral imperative/absolute.
I see a few levels to this analysis: 1) Does the Deborah stuff affirmatively condone at least the potential of women in secular leadership (which I do find colorable notwithstanding your analogy to sinful behavior), 2) even if not, does that mean it’s categorically forbidden (as it plausibly is for other contexts such as church or home), and 3) if not (to #2) — and we’re thus free to weigh the pragmatic pros and cons — does whatever “bad message” may be sent by a VP Palin (which is at least tempered by the consolation prize of symbolically hindering the media’s efforts to peg conservatism as anti-woman) really light a candle to the devastation to the family, church, etc. of having a President Obama and unfilibusterable Senate picking our judges and otherwise systematically eroding religious and other freedoms?
(Apologies for the run-on sentences (and fragments); it’s a law thing — we’re logically solid, but our prose generally rots!)
Imagine, e.g., something akin to Dobson’s dramatic warning (below). Even if the net effect of any “messages sent” by Palin’s ascendancy is indeed suboptimal, could it ever compare with this?
http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/pdfs/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf
November 1st, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Ken,
I’m honored that you stopped by my blog. And thank you for your comment. My original intent for the blog was that it would be a safe place for ladies to discuss things with each other. Since we are not supposed to teach men (1 Tim 2:12), and since we’re supposed to ask our own husbands our questions (1Cor 14:35), it does get a bit complicated if men are frequent contributers to the discussions. However, I don’t mind posting the occasional comment from a man, as long as men understand that my husband would prefer I only get into discussions with women.
November 1st, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Of course…most of the thread topics do seem more of interest to women anyway (as my wife has also attested). This is just an area of particular interest where I thought I’d chirp in!
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
Judges 4:5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Judges 4:6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying , Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
People misread the office of Deborah, anyway. Judges 4:4 clearly states “…and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment”. Emphasis on “…came up to her…”. Deborah was not busy out side of the home and away from the family. All those who needed Deborah came to her. Even Barak, as Judges 4:6 states “And she sent and called Barak…”. The only time the Bible mentions Deborah departing from her family is when she went to war. If Christians are going to try to use the Bible to justify their apostasy, they should at least quote it correctly.
November 4th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Thanks for this article. Today is Election Day, and I have not yet voted. I have been perplexed about what to do, and I appreciate what you have written. I really don’t think I can support McCain / Palin.
By the way: Has anyone else noticed that in the “Hall of Fame of Faith” (Hebrews), Barak is mentioned but NOT Deborah??? Interesting that he was given recognition, but she was not. Definitely food for prayerful thought.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I’m just wondering who you are referring to when you say “Scary”. I hope you’re not referring to Barack Obama (sp?). If you are, I would like to know why.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Even if you take Palin out of the equation, John McCain is about as liberal as Obama. He’s for big government, against overturning Roe, for gay “civil unions,” against gun rights, etc.
I voted for Chuck Baldwin, a Christian man on the Constitution Party ticket.
We are not limited to two choices.
November 4th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Kelley,
The purpose of my post was to point out a flaw in the “Deborah” argument so often used to justify the hypocrisy of Christians who claim to believe women should be keepers at home but who also support Sarah Palin’s candidacy. In the process of making my point, I brought up the extremely common argument that Barack Obama is so scary that we should not say anything bad about his opponents. You can see an excellent example of this type of argument by looking at Ken’s comment above in which he asks:
(If you are truly interested in seeing what so many Christians are afraid of, you might consider following Ken’s link.)
As far as my post is concerned, though, I was not actually personally calling Barack Obama “Scary.” I was pointing out that no matter how scary Christians may think he is, we still need to speak out against Sarah Palin’s blatant disregard of Scripture.
November 4th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Amen to this post!Thanks for writing this and being a true deliverer of the Truth.
What we are seeing on a national level is the Word of God being blasphemed (which is what it says in the scriptures) by Sarah Palin. She is a self-proclaimed feminist. Is this any different than Hillary just because Sarah says she is a Christian?. I have just been shocked listening to Christians support her as a choice. The Enemy has indeed been parading as an angel of light.
I too was not going to vote, until I found out about Chuck Baldwin, an independent Christian man. A vote is never wasted before the Almighty. He is still on the throne, and He still rules.
We are responsible to (and must stand before and answer to) the Lord Jesus, not the Republican party. As Christians we don’t need to fear anything except the Lord Himself, and we need to vote according to His Word.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Thank you for such an interesting post.
I do agree in part, because I’m happily raising my children and supporting my husband by staying at home. However, I do have to say that Obama’s presidency is far worse in my eyes. It is true that Ms. Palin would not truly represent a good role model; however Present-Elect Obama’s policies are far from exemplary and could change so many aspects of this now free country.
For example, I read from an Israeli website that he has supported a free Palestinian nation — thus Obama is not in support of Israel. God’s chosen people are the Jewish people. We as Gentils are grafted onto the root of that tree. If we do not support the roots, is it sensible to think that the branch will survive??
I am sincerely disappointed in the election results. We, as Christians, should have demanded a candidate that we could support. Now we have thrown away various freedoms we have enjoyed for centuries.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Mary,
I completely agree with you on your assessment of the President Elect. But that was exactly my point. The fact that we did not want Obama to be president did not mean that the McCain/Palin ticket deserved our unequivocal support. This is not an old western movie in which there’s one bad guy and one good guy. Christians still have a responsibility to speak out against the destruction of God’s model for the family even if it’s happening in what we might think of as “our” camp. I was NOT saying that people should not vote for McCain, as I said in my opening disclaimer. I think Christians should be discerning enough to admit when they are making a “calculated compromise,” to borrow another commenter’s term. Indeed, we must admit it because if we do not, we are giving our tacit approval to something that God has said causes His word to be blasphemed.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Dear Mrs. Parunak,
I appreciate your taking the time to respond to my question. I am someone who is still exploring Christianity and enjoy reading your articles. I do feel the need to say, however, that I think it’s important to remember that religion is philosophy, and based on faith, not scientific evidence. Now, that doesn’t discount the value religion has to offer. I think it has great value. But, I think one of the things that has made this country so great, is the incredible freedom and democracy we are all so priviledged to enjoy. Part of democracy is eveyone has the right to their opinions and beliefs, and they can be widely varied. I think showing repect to our fellow citizens whose opinions differ from our own, shows patriotism towards our country. I believe that all people should have the right
to religious freedom, but I also believe that other people’s religious beliefs and faiths should not be imposed on other people, specifically for the reason that they can’t be proven as fact. I guess you can say that I strongly believe in separation of church and state. But, I also think that the state should consider the wisdom offered by religion and use common sense when creating the laws that we live by.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Kelley,
It’s great to hear from you again. I’m always glad when a dialogue gets going on my blog.
You raise some very interesting points. I would like to give them more of a response than just a comment, so I have begun working on a post. Given how busy my household is, it may take a few days for me get it up, but, Lord willing, I will send you an e-mail when it is finished.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
2TIMOTHY 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Actually, Holiness is about “…one faith…”. If everybody defined their own holiness and righteousness then there would be no sin. One man may condemn one sin while another divulges in it. This is why Christ had His will written. So that in situations of disagreement there would be a reference. Also, using the WORD to correct and reproof is not arrogant or “un-Christ-like”, it’s what the WORD is for. As 2Timothy 3:16 states.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you.:)
November 6th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I found this blog via a link on Dawn Eden’s, as I was looking around for conservative reactions to the election. In the interest of full disclosure, I will state that I work outside the home AGAINST my husband’s stated wishes, simply because I like working, and I also support abortion rights and voted for Obama. So while I have given birth to a few kids (2? 3? I can never remember — thank god for nannies), I probably have very little in common with any regular posters or commenters here.
One of the few things I really admired about Sarah Palin was that she was a fellow working mom, so I wondered exactly what you wondered, so eloquently – “Everyone in the pro-family world from James Dobson to quiverfull homeschool moms jumping for joy? What’s going on?”
I congratulate you for calling attention to a huge inconsistency that most of those on the conservative side seemed to otherwise overlook.
November 9th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
I am looking forward to reading your response to the election and the reaction from the conservative arena. I was saddened by the reaction in my circle of friends. I have many friends on both sides of the realm of politics, and many of my conservative Christian friends responded hatefully towards the results. Some stating things like ” A black plague has come over the nation.” Or “I am currently talking to assasians” (even in jest, these things are not Christ like at all) one young home school girl I know commented that she hated him with the fiery passion of hell! These are attitudes that are so dangerous to foster in our young people. Even though we don’t agree with policies and view points, we still need to respect the man that God has allowed in office. God holds the hearts of kings!
November 9th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Rachel,
What a great point you make! As Christians we need to remember Romans 13:7, “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” President Elect Obama may not be the man we voted for, but he is the man our God put in office, and he deserves our honor, and our prayers, and even our compassion. We know the judgment he will face one day. That should sober us right up. We would be much better off praying for his soul than wasting time hating him.