This morning I woke feeling very lonely. For the past several days the sense of loneliness has edged into my life from different directions. I’m happy for my friends out of the country (or soon to be), energized for the moms with new responsibilities and challenges everyday, and interested in the things people are learning in schools and jobs and ministries around the country. They’re just not home. I ridicule the texting culture, for what it has done to social lives and the English language. But the teenagers I know who text, have friends that will communicate with them at all hours. My friends are so busy, and of my opinion about texting!
There’s a different kind of loneliness, and more profound. After all, in most circumstances, I can find people, and engage in conversation. There’s blogging and reading blogs, usually a one-sided conversation either way. Where I feel the impact of loneliness the most, though, is when I am surrounded by people and voices believing and advocating things with which I disagree. Such was the case this morning.
Last Friday I heard on the radio the eager rumors spreading that John McCain had selected the governor of Alaska to be his running mate. I was excited, as I have said, to find out about Sarah Palin, to have the thrill of being the first to report facts I heard or read to the less initiated. However, I had no intention of voting for McCain, even with this selection. If I had agreed more with the policies of McCain, believed him to be truly pro-life and of good honest character, a man who rightly understood and upheld the Constitution, the pick of a wife and mother for Vice President would have rattled my willingness to vote for him.
Since the announcement confirming her candidacy, the media has worked overtime to find information on this unknown political figure. Naturally they choose the juiciest and most controversial items to publish first and loudest. And I don’t want to be a part of attacking a candidate and holding them accountable for the mistakes of their family. I do, however, wish to make a wise judgment on the capabilities of a candidate. The way a person parents their children is an indicator of their leadership, and so facts about their level of success in raising moral and obedient children ought to be considered.
Additionally, those who for years have been promoting the feminist agenda are scrambling so much for a word against Sarah Palin that they argue she ought not take such a big job as the vice presidency because she would necessarily be neglecting her five young children. These people are using the position as an ad hominem. I would make the case on principle, principles I have held and by which I have tried to live for years.
I have a list of reasons why Sarah Palin should not be the Vice President. Most of them have to do with being female. Am I anti-woman? Absolutely not. I believe women are given a calling to be influencers and helpers rather than leaders, and that they are most effective and the people being led and influenced are better off when women fulfill that role and men are the leaders and representatives. This is arguably the structure on which our federal representative government was founded. That America has as of yet not wholly abandoned the model in their representative government has spoken to the preservation granted America’s morality and faith as a result of the conviction of its earliest pilgrims and statesmen. The rest of the world has abandoned male leadership in the family and the state, simultaneously departing from a representative government and moving to a socialist mommy state system.
Am I inconsistent? No. In the past week I have heard Palin supporters demand, “Would you tell a woman she can’t be CEO of a company because she has a family?” Of course if I were doing the hiring, I would not hire a woman to neglect her family in order to give feminine leadership to a business. But I have no CEO for which I am making decisions, and I do have a vote and a voice in this election. I will not be responsible for putting Governor Palin in power, even though she is a good person.
She is a good person, I believe. Her whole life has been spent as a feminist, though, and she’s been so busy running after achievements that there has been no time to consider whether the towers of her life are built on the same worldview that she claims to believe. McCain knew exactly what he was doing in nominating her. If people ask me what I think of the choice, my one word answer is “Strategic.” She is female to appeal to women, both “conservative” women and disenchanted former Hillary supporters. At 44, her youth counters both Barak Obama’s appeal to students and twenty-somethings, and arguments that McCain is dangerously old for office. Her experience as a governor outweighs any other executive experience offered in this campaign. Governor Palin has a large family, and has been married (unlike McCain) to the same person her whole adult life. By confession, she is pro-life. Her policies as governor were fiscally responsible and pro-reform. We all witnessed her speaking abilities Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention. And lately the big campaign issue has been energy independence and costs, on which she has long held what recently became an astoundingly popular position.
McCain, as I said, knew what he was doing. He also knows that she is the complement to his less popular ideas. She is, he believes, his ticket to getting conservatives to vote for him. He is using her to manipulate us, the grass roots Republicans who have been feeling pretty abandoned in recent years. Enjoy this campaign while it lasts; I say we’re liable to feel pretty abandoned again come February. McCain will still be the president, proudly going his own way on his own wisdom which he has demonstrated is in opposition to some values that are very important to me. If he was unacceptable as president before, he remains unacceptable. Choosing Governor Palin was not a sign of a change of heart in the presidential candidate: pragmatic as ever, he was making a shrewd move to buy your vote.
A great number of people have been dissatisfied with McCain as the only apparent representative of Judeo-Christian values this election cycle. In that I did not feel lonely. But I was surprised by an even greater number of people who put SIGNIFICANT differences aside in order to endorse, campaign for, and cheer John McCain. All they want is to see a Republican in office rather than a democrat, rather than Barak Obama. Acting out of fear and under manipulation, these true conservatives are willing to “Get drunk and vote for McCain,” as Ann Coulter says. So much excitement at the Republican National Convention bodes well for the Republican ticket, and very badly for the greater of goods. Why are people so pleased to be voting for the lesser of two evils? Our country was founded with the opportunity to vote for the greater of many goods.
So I feel lonely now, abandoned even by most of the formerly dissatisfied voters. When I turn on talk radio, or read editorials from places like Townhall, they are filled without exception with promotions of Sarah Palin and defenses of her womanhood and parenthood. These havens of logical thought and biblical values have begun to vehemently criticize and rile against the stand I have taken for femininity. Though I found a handful of Christian blogs (Doug Phillips, Voddie Baucham, Generation Cedar, Ladies Against Feminism) sharing my views, I still feel very lonely.
Those of us who agree (same position, same reasons) on the issue of women in government, have begun resigning ourselves to being radical right-wing fundamentalists. Funny, since these values are those that were mainstream Christian tenets as little as sixty years ago. What has happened to cause the middle ground to shift so far away from us? Have those changes been good or bad? (The answer to the last question depends on your standard. If you think the goal of society is to achieve equality between men and women, the past fifty years has been very productive in the short term. However, reality and truth will ultimately win out. We will reap what we sow, and no amount of aiming for or pretending to equality will actually produce it. Those who usurp the created order will end up in worse situations, even by their own standards.)
My radical right-wing fundamentalist case against and concerns for Sarah Palin as vice president are as follows:
- Women are created to submit. God made the world this way, and revealed it in His word. Evidence bears this out as true and effective. A world in which women are in charge (much like our own) has serious inter-generational issues resulting in psychological instability and even death. Don’t believe me? See the next point.
- Sarah Palin’s pro-life example is promoted as being something abnormal. It is abnormal according to today’s statistics, but it ought not be abnormal. Going through with a pregnancy is not heroic. It is natural. The fact that millions of babies die each year legally and for convenience is a sign of decay well associated with the break down in the family and the abandonment of nurturing and education of their own children by women.
- Women are emotional and social by nature. God made us to sympathize and nurture, to meet needs like hunger and shelter. The Proverbs 31 woman even extended her hand to the poor in these areas. When women run governments (or even participate in elections), the emphasis of government is diverted from justice and defense to social causes that ought to belong to individuals, households, and churches. I hope that the danger to a nation with less interest in justice and defense is evident to you all.
- Families need moms. Todd Palin’s family needs Sarah. They need her to nurture and guide them, to support Todd and unburden him with household affairs that he may fulfill his role as man, husband, and father. As possible evidence of the effect of Sarah’s feminist choices so far, her seventeen year old daughter rebelled against her parents’ principles and became pregnant out of wedlock. There is forgiveness for that, and the Palins are offering it. There ought also to be support and direction, restoration of the young woman. Who is offering that?
- Along the same lines, the Palin family has utterly sacrificed their privacy. The youngest daughter, Piper, seems to be enjoying the life of a celebrity, waving like a little movie star and smiling shyly at cameras, all while trying to help with her baby brother. Child stars have rough lives. How healthy is it to expose the good and bad and neutral choices of all to the critical eye of the media and public? Is blame for any hurt to be laid entirely on the public? I don’t think so. As I said before, the conduct of children is an indicator of the responsibility of a parent. The Bible requires the children of deacons and elders to be obedient and under control. Why is this except that the behavior of children is relevant to the leadership of the parent?
- As a member of “Feminists for Life,” Sarah Palin is promoting circular reasoning. Feminism promotes abortion – yes, inherently. When women are made to believe that work and public achievement is as valid a goal if not more so than being a wife and a mom, children are robbed of their high and exclusive place in the attention of women. Once devalued, the slope is slippery in leading to abortion. Also women who deny that God created them fundamentally to be wives and mothers will be much more tempted to use their sexuality in immoral ways. Promoting abstinence and abstinence education as she does, Sarah Palin is being inconsistent with the values of feminism, which asserts choice above goodness.
- Sarah Palin, by being a mayor, a governor, and a vice presidential candidate, is promoting feminism, a fundamentally anti-God, counter-biblical philosophy, to an emerging generation of young women.
- Though she is forty four, Governor Palin just gave birth to a baby boy. At such an age that was considered a high risk pregnancy, and the risks were produced in a handicapped child. For these reasons, Todd and Sarah may already have plans to prevent future fertility. Is this biblical? Surely their decision will also be influenced by the difficulties of pregnancy while holding public office. Is that fair?
- What if she does get pregnant, then, while vice president of the United States? It isn’t as though she can appoint a regent, or take a maternity leave. She already risked Trig during her last pregnancy by taking an airplane three days before her due date and returning home in labor during the flight. No doubt there would be more obligations to fulfill than a voluntary speech, were she vice president.
- John McCain betrayed his first wife for Cindy (his wife of nearly thirty years now), a beautiful woman twenty years his junior. Now he has voluntarily chosen a woman he named his “soul mate” to serve in intense team situations, who is beautiful and ten years younger than his wife, Cindy. Granted, he’s in his seventies. Isn’t this playing with fire?
- The vice president has some specific jobs granted by the Constitution, and most of Sarah Palin’s qualifications have little to do with the responsibilities enumerated there. She would, if elected, be first in line to the presidency behind a man whose health and age give reason to believe in its frailty. And a vice president is offered a position of counsel to the president. How much he depends on her views will be entirely up to him. What I’m saying is that all of Sarah Palin’s conservative values may be wasted on the vice presidency, should John McCain choose to ignore them.
- What is Todd Palin supposed to do? There are many conflicts between his position as head of the household and her aspired-to role as second in command in the United States. I think he would be expected to move to Washington, D.C., and take care of the kids and grandchild. And certainly the couple discussed the possibilities before his wife accepted the nomination. But I think that for him to defer to his wife as leader would be wrong, and for the kids to be given almost entirely to the care of the father and professionals would be unhealthy.
- Finally, just as I find it confusing and isolating that liberals wish to attack Palin on the same grounds that cause concern in me, the double appeal to evangelicals and Hillary feminists is suspicious. Are our standards so low that we can agree with Hillary supporters on a candidate whose qualifications and expectations are deep and varied? Can a stream give fresh and salt water?
The loneliness I feel saddens me. So much of our world is suffering. First of all this is because our world needs the gospel. Life comes from Jesus, who died as substitute for us, who have earned the wrath of God for our sins. Repentance from sin is the solution to these problems. There is also common grace given to those who function in the world as God designed. They sow and reap, for God made the earth to yield harvest in that way. They marry and bear children, for God created humans that way. Yet our world suffers because we are too foolish even to acknowledge the way the world properly works. In our mass rebellion against all things instituted by God, we have cut the floor out from under ourselves. I see everywhere hurting people, people who have no imagination that there is anything better than the existence they have experienced. I speak up today to direct people back to some of the principles by which God created society to work. As always, I pray that my words will direct people to the wise God who loved us even while we rebelled against His ways and Himself. How marvelous. That is the only hope I have for our nation. It is the hope I cling to for myself.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Lisa of Longbourn 
It is one thing to state your biblical convictions. It is entirely another to cross the line into judgement calling in your points listed above. Doing so gives others the right to say “why are they any better.”
I really don’t believe that leaving a special needs baby at home to return to work when the baby is THREE DAYS old shows the kind of family values that I can respect. I talk more about this at http://mominfaith.blogspot.com/ Family values must include respecting the needs of the children, and leaving a baby so young is not respectful.
Sallie,
I am not sure exactly what you are addressing, but I reread my article and remain convinced that I did not say anything which is not biblically founded.
Governor Palin has put herself forward, asking Americans to make a decision on her. If she were simply a public figure, and I had no decisions to make, there would be no need to go into detail in this way, and to consider her character and values in light of the Bible. But because I and millions of others must now choose whether to cast our vote for the McCain/Palin ticket, it is necessary and justified for us to make a thoughtful choice. How else would you have us decide?
Also, the offices of president and vice president are in the executive branch, emphasizing their character in addition to their policies. Unlike legislators, who reason together to make laws in the interests of their constituents, executives must be able to make judgment calls in a moment. Legislators represent us to the governement – to the rest of the United States. Federal representatives represent us to the world, the president also being our chief of state and commander in chief. These positions demand more of the character and person of a candidate than merely asking ourselves whether what they say they will do in government matches our desires and whether we believe them. By all means, ask those questions. But ask more!
Thank you both for your comments. With such a long post, it is nice to know that people did more than glance at it.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Your third point under “case against and concerns for Sarah Palin as vice president” seems to indicate that you do not believe women should even have the right to vote. If that is true, I believe that your position on this particular point is certainly extrabiblical.
Yes, God did create women as different than men. However, is the Proverbs 31 woman not only a woman who cares for her own husband and household but also a shrewd business woman as well?
I believe that scripture makes it clear that women are not to be placed in positions of leadership over men in the church, but public office is something altogether different.
I respect your position, but I heartily disagree.
The arguments against women’s suffrage at the time it was debated were remarkably persuasive and prophetic. However since women do presently have the right to vote, I think it is best that the responsibility be taken seriously, and strongly in consideration of the vote of the head of the household. Your position, that women (and indeed all citizens) have the right to vote is also extrabiblical, teeveebee. The Bible does not confer upon anyone the right to vote. Even the extreme Christian fundamentalists who founded our country did not believe that votes ought to go to everyone. As a mechanism for achieving their ideal form of government, born of the principles and purposes of government they believed to be instituted by God, they designed the vote to go to landed male citizens, whose interests would be the country’s.
On your other points, however, I obviously strongly differ. In Proverbs 31 the woman was in business for herself, and from her home. She also cared for the poor, as I believe I stated. The sphere argument concerns me very much, and has been advanced by several prominent Christian leaders, including those of Focus on the Family. The Bible had no need of telling women not to hold public office, because it gave them an exclusive other calling: keep at home. (Titus 2) The other bloggers I linked in my original post addressed this issue very well, and to say anything here would be merely to repeat their points. Please read them if you have further interest in the subject.
Thank you for your respect, as demonstrated by your willingness to comment and the gracious tone you used.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Let us not forget a couple of things, has anyone remembered the story of Deborah in Judges? It seemed that God blessed what she did and allowed her to lead his chosen people. If God’s true belief was that women should never lead men then…. what about Deb?
Also, didn’t Paul say “There is no longer any greek or jew, male or female….”, — while I am not discounting the God given differences in men and woman, but to state that woman are to submit, that is the way — misses the point. Jesus stated that we are all to submit, one to another and that the greatest among us is the servant of all. What if Gov. Palin is truly honest in believing that she is being a servant to not only her country, but her God? Also, the decision in November is ultimately his as well, remember He sets one up while setting another down.
Also, few of those heroes we read of in scripture were qualified to do what they did. Many times, God used them despite their qualifications. That way he got the credit, not them.
just some thoughts —
Ubah
What a joy to read your words – I too am sad and lonely as a 58 year old woman who believes as you do about a woman’s role in the created order. Thank you for your courage and your willingness to share wisdom with those who are spiritually discerning. Please know what a difference it has made for me. I have been searching the internet for anyone who might stand firmly in faith according to the bible on this serious subject. God bless you and your family.
Lisa,
Beautifully, gracefully spoken. Your words resonate with me. I’m thankful for your clear thinking when it seems so many are “losing their heads and blaming it on you” (Kipling 😉
You are not completely alone, but we must face facts–we are a remnant. That should cause us to rejoice, even though our hearts feel sad. It was always the remnant that spared the nation from God’s consuming judgement. Consider that!
Ubah, thank you for your willingness to interact with my blog. The delay in posting your comment was weariness from debate.
Many of the bloggers and organization leaders I linked addressed the Deborah issue so well that I did not think it necessary to go there in my less defensive – more original – post. However, Deborah refused to be the leader, and rather reluctantly agreed to accompany the military leader of Israel. She was a judge who did not sit in the gates, so she was not recognized as a political leader. That Israel had need of Deborah’s goading to defend themselves was a judgment against them, and in the US we would rather not invite signs of judgment.
Paul did say what you quoted, that there is no “male or female in Christ.” In context, of course, he is not saying that men and women are exactly the same or have the same roles. He was encouraging them to value each other and believe that, independently of husband or father, a woman could be saved as a person before Christ, just as a man could be born again when he accepted the free gift of Christ’s substitution for his punishment. In other places Paul made women’s roles quite clear, and did not need to address those points every time he said “man” or “woman.”
God inspired authors of the New Testament to instruct all Christians to submit to each other, which is not the same thing as telling all Christians to be in offices of leadership over everyone else. Jesus said the greatest would be a servant, which means you ought to be a servant, not a vice president. Jesus did not say to serve by being a vice president, so if there are principles elsewhere to guide you against taking leadership (as in this case, when she has other roles and responsibilities), clearly she is not obligated to “serve” in that way.
That God is in charge of the world is no excuse to vote for the wrong candidates. If you are voting at all, it is the responsibility with that privilege that you make the best choice by a (in a Christian’s case, God-informed) good conscience and thoughtful consideration. This also applies to your statement about qualified heroes whom God used. The point is that God called those heroes, not that they were unqualified. God has not contradicted the special revelation of His Word by calling Sarah Palin to be vice president.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Jean and Kelly,
Thank you for your encouragement and taking the time to share your thoughts in comment form. It means a lot.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Hi Lisa, just a reader browsing through blogs after googling “Palin and Biblical”
There is nothing wrong with what you say, but I believe you are looking for something you will never find in politics: perfection. And thank God, Heaven is not a democratic republic. 🙂
Is it honestly by accident that God, in his Sovereignty, raised up this woman (a sinner of course like all of us are) and presented her to this ENTIRE nation? Yes, to our largely pro-death, pro-convenience society: He raised up this mother of 5, one of which is an unwed pregnant teen and a baby who has Down’s Syndrome.
She represents the cause of LIFE to the public in a way NO MAN can, in a way most women can’t. SHe not only claims to be pro-life SHE LIVES it. She lives out the cause which is founded on the presumption that LIFE is sacred and must take precedent regardless of the circumstances. Regardless of the “options” presented to us in our modern world.
You watched the convention? and you mention Piper Palin? Did you see the way she cradled baby Trig in her arms and licked her hand to straighten out his hair? It’s all over youtube, and it certainly was an unscripted moment. Doesn’t this say ANYTHING about the love and nurturing that must be present in that family? Why are you so quick to judge? If anything, Piper’s cheery disposition is a great sign that she’s had quite the stable upbringing and the ever-imperfect Palin family serves as a great role model to all families facing struggles of their own in this nation.
This is a media age. And people DO turn on the TV for answers and guidance. Sadly, not everyone is turning straight to Scripture like we’re supposed to.
This is also a desperate age. Our political leaders have failed us. MEN have failed us.
WHat are your thoughts about Queen Elizabeth I and other women rulers in historic Christendom? What are your thoughts about the female leaders God raised up in the Bible, like Deborah? What about the verse in Isaiah that says God raises women up as judgment to a sinning nation?
Also, is it by accident that this woman is from Alaska? This treasure chest of oil and natural resources. SOO much of our despicable foreign policy is motivated by an addiction to foreign oil!
Lastly, I am not sure if you’ve seen this video, but I truly believe Palin is guided by her faith first and foremost. (It’s a video of her speaking to a local church a few months ago.) I was quite moved by it.
God calls us each by name, in His timing. In HIS Providence.
Not every woman is called to be a Sarah Palin, but she might be a special person called at a special time in history.
That’s my opinion :)!
God bless!!!
~ Jennifer
oops sorry about asking you about Deborah, I didn’t realize you had already responded to questions regarding her.
I also forgot to mention that in addition to having a down’s syndrome baby, and an unwed pregnant teen daughter, she has a SON that’s been deployed to Iraq!
The last fact moves me because I do want a leader that won’t be a careless warmonger and will truly have the best interests of the troops in mind and heart; who truly knows how other mothers in the same situation must feel.
Another issue: to the chunk of our population who believes we are living in desperate times, Obama not only has political appeal but a religious appeal. He is not your everyday average liberal Democrat as I hope most of you have concluded by now. His speeches invigorate a false sense of faith and hope in an empty and dangerous Marxist vision to a whole new generation of young people! If he becomes President, he will not simply be a policy-maker, but a vision-shaper. I think as President, he’ll continue to do his rousing speech-giving to huge audiences, not just in AMerica, but all over the world to millions of adoring Christ-less fans. He’s someone who the media might be so interested in turning into a god that people won’t even blame him if things go wrong.
Maybe I’m overreacting with worry? Is my worry over him clouding my judgment of the also-bad Republicans? Maybe so.
These are the facts about the current state of our society:
* Because of financial struggles and rising unemployment, both parents of many families are forced to work outside the home regardless of their wishes.
* There are a lot of single parent families.
* There are a lot of pregnant teens who do not feel that they can turn to parents who respond with love and understanding, so instead resort to Planned Parenthood abortions.
* Barack Obama is the most pro-abortion candidate in history. As state senator in Illinois, he voted AGAINST Born Alive Infants Protection Act–which means he favors denying medical care to babies who survive late-term abortions. Something not even Hillary Clinton or even NARAL support I believe.
Considering all the above points, regardless of the outcome of this election, I believe the public statement Sarah Palin’s life has made has been a positive one and not a negative one. Even the debates about womanhood she’s stirred within the Christian community have been very fruitful. The discussion is an important one. I don’t believe her candidacy was by accident. God is in the details.
ALso, in regards to policy, she is a “true conservative.” I believe her record shows that she’s been an advocate for liberty, constitutional adherence in Alaska, and supportive of homeschooling–something an Obama administration would work very hard against.
Lastly, WE CANNOT GO BACK TO 1776 in one day, and honestly, I don’t think we’ll ever return to it, but I believe in working with the circumstances and the system so long as voting for a candidate is not going against faith or principle.
I apologize for rambling on…
You are not alone in your thughts, thank you for sharing them.
Another thing that concerns me that is out there being voiced is that there is a coverup of some sort about Trig really being Bristol’s child. If this would be true and things are being manipulated to make it look as though it isn’t true, then that would be another cause of concern. Some of what is being said about this does give me reason to believe the possibility.
Another thing, I would never feel like going “back to work” 3 days after giving birth.
Becky
Becky,
I do not wish to propagate such rumors.
This week I discovered a British comedy: Yes, Prime Minister. The political advisers instruct the politicians always to openly admit anything that the public or press could find out any other way. Even in this wisdom, it would be ridiculous for Governor Palin to fabricate a pregnancy.
There are plenty of true issues to address without resorting to wild speculation.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Jennifer,
In our democratic republic, though we cannot expect perfection, we must do our personal best to be faithful stewards of the responsibilities we have – not to be pragmatic, but to act in accordance with the revealed will of God in the Bible. When things are addressed specifically in the Bible, I rejoice. The Bible defines women’s roles where it does not define a nation’s perspective on immigration or macroeconomics. Perfection may be impossible, but we ought to aim that direction.
Is it an accident? I don’t believe in accidents. Did God choose Sarah Palin to be a vice president? I believe that God will accomplish His will. But I would not have voted for Nero or for Hitler or Stalin. Nor will I vote for Barack Obama. These men were presented to the world as potential leaders of their countries. But my conscience would not have enabled me to endorse them with my vote. Sarah Palin is much better than any of those leaders, but the principle of casting my vote is the same. I will not endorse her feminism. Prior, I have made it clear, I will not endorse John McCain’s positions and character either.
God has raised up many mothers of five. God has presented wives and mothers to the attention of the nation, without them becoming our executive leaders. They can much better exemplify the vision of womanhood God wrote into His Word.
I do not appreciate your statement that NO MAN can represent the cause of life to the public like Sarah Palin. Many men live pro-life examples. Do not slight them. Men ought to have the responsibility and privilege of leading the way in valuing life.
I don’t have much to say about Piper except that she looks like she’s loving the attention, but not very practiced in it yet. I am not trying to say there is no love or nurturing in the Palin family. The Palin’s are very likely saved by the grace of Jesus, endeavoring to serve Him, and filled with the Holy Spirit by which love is enabled. That’s ok. However it doesn’t change the fact that God told women to be keepers at home. Guards of the home, loving their husbands and loving their children.
Again, Sarah Palin is putting herself forward for my judgment, demanding that I, as a vote-enfranchised citizen, make a decision on her candidacy.
That some have failed us, that people are lazy, that the world does not search the Scriptures for answers is all the more encouragement for us to stand up for the truth.
As far as Queen Elizabeth I, I am equally opposed to her leadership, and Queen Victoria’s, and Margaret Thatcher’s, and Condaleeza Rice’s. The Bible is not relative. Do we seek judgment? Do we wish to admit defeat and admit that we are judged and cursed by God, to surrender our principles and accept the leadership of a woman, enabling her to neglect her God-given calling to the HOME?
God’s callings are to be discovered from His Word, the Bible. If what we feel is our calling contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible, we are wrong, not God. It is a dangerous thing to bend interpretation of the Bible to suit our times and our worries.
No worries asking about Deborah. I’m glad you read through the rest of the comments. Did you read the linked articles, too?
Being a mother of a soldier is a privilege, a touching position. Leaders can have our nation’s soldiers at heart without being mothers – or even parents of military men. Having a child in the military is not a qualification here or there to be president or vice president in America.
The matter of Obama’s candidacy ought to be left to God. Obey God. Act in faith. Search out the Bible’s teachings on what you should do. And then don’t worry. God has not given us a spirit of fear. He is able to guide the elections as He wills. This election is partially and opportunity to discuss with the public values that are directly related to faith in God – acceptance of which is the only chance for revival spiritually and politically. In this point we seem to be in agreement.
Fortunately our circumstances do not limit us to voting for the lesser of two evils. There are many options. For myself I am doing what I can within the system to spread the word, to awaken discussion and thought, and to open minds to the possibility of returning the government to conservative values.
I admit; I’m not big on compromise. Not on principles.
Thank you for your interaction with my blog, for being patient enough to consider my points and to make your own. I appreciate your tone, and believe you desire to do what is right and best.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
Hi Lisa, Thanks for your long post. I really enjoyed reading it. The title caught my attention because I have been feeling very lonely these days too. While I have a wonderful husband and wonderful children, I feel the same lonliness with regards to what is going on in our world. I too give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for His grace in granting me forgiveness for my sins and salvation through the shedding of His precious blood. When I think of the way the world is going and the many people who resist the Lord, it saddens me deeply. I am off to our evening service now, but I wanted to drop you a quick line to say, you are not alone, sister! I will return to read more of your blog. I found it while searching for info on voting for Sarah Palin and biblical principles about that. Thanks! May the Lord bless you!
Deb,
Thank you for your comment.
How was your evening service? What kind of church do you attend?
Hope you enjoy the blog!
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn
It was wonderful!!! I attend an independent, fundamental Baptist church. I am thankful for a Christ honoring, Bible preaching local church. There are fewer and fewer around these days. Having grown up Catholic, leaving the Church in my 20’s, wandering in unbelief for a few years until God intervened in my life, searching for truth beginning in the New Age church…just long enough to find God the Father who LOVES me…until He brought a saved CFO at work to share the Gospel with me and the Lord PLUCKED me out of that cult by showing me I was a sinner in need of Jesus Christ’s forgiveness of my sin and His salvation for all of eternity!!! BTW—God’s leading me to His Son was a clear answer to the promise spoken by Jesus in John 6:45, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” Just going over that story again gives me reason to praise God for His faithfulness, love and grace!!!
Having lived life without Christ and doing things the “world’s” ways for so many years, I am deeply commited to living my life in a way that pleases the Lord. This is why it is so important to search the Scriptures to see what God says about each issue of life. People can tend to put a humanistic twist on things, and may I say, I have had enough humanistic teaching in my life! I want what God says and not what man thinks He says. The only way to know for sure is to go to Him in quiet prayer, seeking to know His will and then to search the Scriptures and He will reveal the truth to anyone willing to listen to Him.
May God bless you in a special way today as you seek to glorify Him in your life.
Deb
“Women are created to submit.” Why do we then not submit? Why did we starve and submit ourselves to torture in order to get the vote?
“When women run governments (or even participate in elections), the emphasis of government is diverted from justice and defense to social causes that ought to belong to individuals, households, and churches. ” Is this not what the male Obama is promoting?
“Todd Palin’s family needs Sarah. ” Are Todd and Sarah not members of the same family? If Todd were running would we be saying that he should not because a family needs its husband and father?
“As possible evidence of the effect of Sarah’s feminist choices so far, her seventeen year old daughter rebelled against her parents’ principles and became pregnant out of wedlock.” Believing that you are the strictest Christian on the block does not prevent woe from coming upon your family. Many a good family has had this happen.
“Along the same lines, the Palin family has utterly sacrificed their privacy. ” Just as the families of all male politicians are layed bare.
“Also women who deny that God created them fundamentally to be wives and mothers…” God created women to serve him in whatever capacity He sees fit…single or otherwise.
“For these reasons, Todd and Sarah may already have plans to prevent future fertility. Is this biblical? Surely their decision will also be influenced by the difficulties of pregnancy while holding public office. Is that fair?” Really reaching here…complete supposition…are you a fly on the wall of their bedroom?
I cannot help but wonder at the source of your loneliness…but I do hope that you find comfort.
Kat,
Women other than me and outside of my reach (by nature of time) fought for suffrage. I disagree with them. That is my right.
Obama promotes social causes because he knows that women are voting. All of politics have changed because candidates must pander to female voters. I am NOT supporting Obama.
Families are designed to need their mothers. A woman is called to be the keeper (guard) of her home, and the one who loves her children. I believe they already feel that lack. Being president or vice president in this day and age is a stressful job not conducive to family life. Though it would be more natural for the father (provider, protector, leader, representative) of a family to be as busy as a vice president, at least one conservative has stated that he does not believe that a man with such young children should seek the office either. I linked to Voddie Baucham’s article on an earlier post.
Note the use of the word “possible” in my statement about Sarah Palin’s grandchild. Tragedy and rebellion happens in many families. Though Sarah’s feminist positions and choices are not the only explanation possible for her daughter’s behavior, her daughter’s poor choices can be seen as a logical continuation of her mother’s absence and priorities. In any case, at a time of crisis like this, the last thing her daughter needs is a mother busier and more absent than ever.
God created women to be fundamentally helpers meet for their husbands (Genesis 2). He tells them before marriage to be seeking to please Him in all purity. This is not an admonition to politics. We must view God’s summary statements in light of His more specific ones. The Bible is very clear that married women are to be helping their husbands and loving their children, keepers at home.
I don’t have to be in their bedroom. I don’t want to be. But I have the right to talk about my ideas. Note again the uncertainty of my words “may have.” However, as I said in my post, a pregnant vice president is a great concern to our country. And married couples who limit God’s blessings in the form of children bode even worse for America. That is my position. I know it is not the majority belief. But I encourage you to look into what the Bible says about fertility and birth control.
Thank you for your participation here.
To God be all glory,
Lisa of Longbourn