The Questions Swirling Around Sarah Palin

I heard about Sarah Palin's vice-presidential nomination as I drove to the airport for the Labor Day weekend. I listened to her introductory speech and was intrigued to learn more about her. On the way home, I heard about Bristol Palin's pregnancy and squirmed with discomfort--like most of the nation. Then I watched Palin's speech at the Republican National Convention and was impressed with her public-speaking skills. In between, I've read as much credible reporting as I can get my hands on (skipping the bloggers who are perpetuating loathsome gossip about her family).

I normally do not comment on political issues on this blog because I am more concerned with the coming kingdom than the one here. That said, I am not an "ostrich Christian," refusing to participate in civic duties or secular activities. Given how Palin's nomination is stirring up questions about the various roles of women, I thought this topic may be a good exception to my blogging practices.

Women In the Public Square

The first issue to address is the role of women in the public square. I've heard some people voice objections to "women ruling over men" as being unbiblical. While I believe we must read our Bibles with clear-sighted honesty about what it says about men and women in the church and in the family, we must neither dismiss those standards nor add to them. When we talk about these biblically-defined roles, people often hear an implication that women are lesser than men. This is not true and is not what is being said, either. But because there is already a tendency in our culture to be defensive about or dismissive of this issue, we must speak with both precision and charity.

That is why I appreciate the clarity of leaders such as Albert Mohler (Southern Seminary) and David Kotter (Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood). These men hold to the complementarian perspective of gender roles (meaning that men and women are equal in value, but have different and complementary roles)--a position they defend without adding to what the Bible does not clearly state.

Here are two excerpts from their recent blog posts on this matter. David Kotter (CBMW) wrote "Does Sarah Palin Present a Dilemma for Complementarians?":

The Bible calls women to specific roles in the church and home, but does not prohibit them from exercising leadership in secular political fields.  Rather, the Queen of Sheba is presented in 1 Kings 10:1-13 in a positive light in her interaction with King Solomon.  Queen Esther offers an even better example of a woman who appropriately exerted influence for the good of her people without holding the highest position of national authority (Esther 2:17).  In this light, we cannot categorically say that it was sinful for Queen Victoria to lead England ... strictly because of her gender, nor can we condemn Governor Palin or any other woman for seeking the office of Vice President.

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.

So a female vice president, or even a female president, doesn't necessarily pose a dilemma for complementarians.  It is inevitable in God's providence that a gifted woman will lead the United States, just as women have led England, Germany, India and many other countries around the world. 

Al Mohler echoed that viewpoint on his blog, "An Unexpected New Motherhood Debate":

Do I believe that a woman can serve well in the office of Vice President of the United States?  Yes.  As a matter of fact, I believe that a woman could serve well as President -- and one day will.  Portraits of significant men of history hang on the walls of my library --but so do portraits of Queen Elizabeth I of England and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The New Testament clearly speaks to the complementary roles of men and women in the home and in the church, but not in roles of public responsibility.  I believe that women as CEOs in the business world and as officials in government are no affront to Scripture.  Then again, that presupposes that women -- and men -- have first fulfilled their responsibilities within the little commonwealth of the family.

The Working Mother

Now we come to the juggle of public and private responsibilities. This is where I tread lightly in offering my opinion as a childless woman. I have nothing but the utmost respect for mothers. I watch how hard they work and how tirelessly they serve their children--and I marvel. I also recognize that women come with a variety of capacities. Some women have more energy and giftings than others, so what would wipe out one woman is no trouble to another. I hesitate in prescribing to anyone exactly what a mother should do in her individual situation.

However, after the research I did about the changing views of motherhood in our culture for my forthcoming book, Radical Womanhood, I do feel equipped to address our general cultural disdain for the nurturing work of parenting. On this I could expound at length, but in an already lengthy post, I will simply summarize: Beginning in the mid-19th century (a century earlier than most people would guess), children and non-wage-earning women began to be classified as dependents in our economic system. From there, some segments of society moved to the epithet of "parasite." Our culture took a short-term view of valuing present income over the long-term (and even eternal) view of rearing the next generation for future success. Ever since, the economic valuation of child-rearing and childcare has been dismally low. Despite rosy reports about the benefits of high-quality childcare, few childcare workers are paid to match this expectation--which calls into question the ability to provide such care. (I am speaking broadly here--I realize some childcare workers are providing quality care for minimum pay, but there is truth in the old adage that you get what you pay for.)

As a result, modern women are encouraged to follow a masculine life pattern--either pursuing careers and postponing fertility or trying to raise a family and build a career simultaneously. (Something that is far more physically demanding for women than men, biology being what it is.) For a brief moment several decades ago, some feminists recognized the overall futility of these approaches and tried to introduce the concept of "sequencing." They wanted women to be able to get on the "mommy track" and then later jump on the "career track." The obstacle to this idea was the low marketplace estimation of the skills of homemaking and mothering for re-entry women--as well as the bias against older women.

Both mindsets are hard to overcome. In our culture, women are valued for their youth and sex appeal. After a certain age, women can complain of becoming invisible. Instead of life experience conferring wisdom and status upon women (as it happens for many men), older women can feel marginalized. This is not a biblical perspective, for Titus 2 commends the life experience of older women to younger women. But it is a reality for many a woman looking to re-enter the marketplace after serving her family--and it certainly was in the mean political commentary about Hillary Clinton's age and appearance.

While feminists failed in creating this sequencing option for women, some in Christian circles can lag in the opposite direction. Our culture does not easily accommodate the mommy track, but sometimes the church does not offer biblical teaching for the non-mommy track. By that, I mean in our rightful efforts to reclaim the high regard for marriage and motherhood, we often don't hear anything about feminine contributions in the post-parenting season. If a woman has children, she may spend half of her adult life enjoying motherhood--from roughly 20 to 50. But what about the second half, the years between 50 to 80? The women mentioned directly and indirectly in the blog excerpts above were most influential in these years -- Margaret Thatcher, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Indira Ghandi, Angela Merkel, etc. By emphasizing the full arc of a woman's life, we have the opportunity to teach about the importance of marriage and motherhood, as well as other forms of ministry and public service that may arise later in life for a woman. This is the Scriptural portrait we observe in the famous Proverbs 31 woman.

The Point

Back to Sarah Palin. She certainly comes across as a well-spoken and competent woman. As a low-profile politician, it is too early to make any reasonable estimation of her political skills and impact--the campaign trail will reveal much in the days to come. From what I've seen so far, Palin may be able to pull off this demanding juggle due to hard work and her husband's support. But the point of this musing is not to make any pronouncements about Palin in particular, but rather to consider how we arrived at this point as a nation and why her vice-presidential nomination as the mother of five children is such a news-dominating conversation. I heartily affirm the Palin family's pro-life decisions (as much as I regret Bristol's unmarried pregnancy). I heartily affirm the public esteem that Sarah Palin has expressed for her husband (which I'm pleased to say I've also heard from Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain). I heartily affirm the clarity about women in the public square that both Mohler and Kotter have written. I heartily affirm that women are equal to men, that believers of both genders are co-heirs in Christ, and that Scripture equally values the instruction of both fathers and mothers to their children. But I remain concerned that our culture does not prize parenting, consigning it to a part-time investment (a broad assessment that I am not linking to Palin but to the conversation that has developed).

As Christians, we have the opportunity to soberly consider the questions that swirl around Sarah Palin and then to offer clear, biblically-based answers that both esteem motherhood and affirm the gifts and contributions women can make in the church and in our culture -- across a woman's full life span. I have been praying non-partisan prayers for our next President and his administration, asking God to be merciful to us and to provide good leadership for our nation. May that also include a national reconsideration of the assumptions about motherhood and feminine sequencing.

(Photo: From the New York Times article, "They Raise Children, Pray and Support Palin.")

 

Comments

[MInTheGap]

Thanks for a very good assessment of the Palin problems with roles in the Bible.

I'm still stewing on this one personally, trying to sort out what I really think about it all, but you've helped me come quite a ways.

I think that our culture has created artificial stages that everyone must pass through-- whether it's the "you have to have college and a job, and then you consider a family" at the beginning of life, or the "this is what you'll do with all your life" concept when you get older.

Times change, and what we do can change as well. It's part of the blessing in a sin-cursed world.

[Trillia]

Hi Caroline,

This was very helpful. Your analysis and insight is very gracious. I particularly appreciated this point,

"I also recognize that women come with a variety of capacities. Some women have more energy and giftings than others, so what would wipe out one woman is no trouble to another. I hesitate in prescribing to anyone exactly what a mother should do in her individual situation."

We have to be very careful not to judge Palin, or any other woman, based on what they are doing without regard to what might be going on in their heart and family life.

Looking forward to your book!

Blessings,

Trillia

[KS]

I think that the first word describing Governor Palin in the video shown at the convention was "mother." It's almost a qualification for office now. I realize that most women become mothers and they like to think that someone in office can relate to them, but still ...

[Carole]

This is an excellent review/commentary on the current times and debate. I have struggled to make sense of my own feelings on the topic - especially since I am one who wants moms to take it easy when they've just had a baby! ("just stay home and enjoy him while he's so tiny!!!" I want to say...)

Anyhow, your assessment that our culture does not value nurturing and child rearing is dead on. I look forward to hearing more of what you have to say about it, it's potential origins and causes.

[Sonya]

Thank you for this column. It had a lot of insight. I recognize that a mother could also be a good VP or President and that the Bible does not contradict this. I also recognize that Governor Palin is obviously a talented person with excellent time management skills. I do have to wonder about her priorities, however and if this is truly the best season in her life to run for office instead of to pass the opportunity along to another man or woman who also holds firm views, but may not be in such an intensive season where her family really needs her. As the mother of an infant myself, I know that it is a 24 hour job right now. Just speaking for myself, I don't think Governor Palin shares my family values.

[Lynne Carey]

Thanks for your thoughtful commentary on a complex topic. Although not your primary point, thanks too for the reminder that during this political season we should be using the constant focus on politics as a reminder that we've been called to pray for our leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-4).

Our prayers should be evangelistic: that they will come to a saving knowledge of the truth and that those who know Christ would be strengthened in their knowledge, growing in grace and truth.

At www.capmin.org/about/prayer you can get more information about praying evangelistically for your leaders and also print off prayer calendars including the names of your specific leaders.

It is easy to be critical of politicians, which can quickly slide into slander and disrespect (not in keeping with Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:17). This commentary models the respect we should all have and reminds us of what we should be doing: praying!

[Christina]

I've been thinking and thinking about your post. It's very good and it brings up some very interesting points (especially pertaining to childcare).

I am in Japan and I'm a Stay at Home Mother to my only daughter. What's interesting here is the juxtaposition between the Japanese childcare and the American (on-base) childcare.

The Japanese childcare is far better, from friends I've known who have their children in childcare off base. The food provided to the children is made fresh and the children are always well-cared for. Illnesses are rare as the place is kept clean.

The American (on-base) childcare has a horrible reputation (at least here it does). The food provided is often not healthy, the children aren't carefully watched, and illnesses are quite common there. I rarely hear anything good about the American childcare.

Now, the interesting thing is that they both cost about the same, yet the quality of childcare appears to be far better at the Japanese daycare than at the American (on-base) daycare. I wonder why that is? Could it be that the Japanese day care workers aren't simply doing a job because there's nothing out there, but that they are doing it because they really LOVE working with children?

I'm sure in the US there are some daycares out there that provide quality service, but here there is only one American daycare and the quality of service is not that great. Maybe better daycares are more careful in who they choose to hire, instead of just hiring whoever they can.

Just my perspective...

[Scott]

I appreciate the helpful balance in thinking through this issue. I believe that God may be using this development (the Palin nomination) to help us further clarify our views on biblical womanhood.

A question: does Proverbs 31 speak to a woman's role later in life (after child-rearing)? It seems to me that the portrait here is of a woman who is free to pursue the good of her household (and humanity at large) in many ways. But I don't see any sort of "sequencing" implied in the passage.

[Aly]

Carolyn,

Thank you for writing a commentary that is nonpartisan and respectful toward all viewpoints. So much political commentary these days--in both public and private circles--is charged with emotion and narrow-mindedness toward any opposing views. I appreciate that you allow reason and God's wisdom to guide your analysis rather than feelings.

[Kerry Reid]

Carolyn,

I am so glad you wrote about the campaign issues. I visit your blog regularly and was hoping you would post something about Sarah Palin. I knew that it would be a subject that many conservative Christians would be talking about...the role of women, parenting, family values, etc.

I have a unique perspective to offer based on my first-hand experience in government and the political arena. For several years I was involved in my state legislature, working at the state capitol, as a staff member and helping with campaigns.

Fist of all, I have seen first-hand and have come face-to-face with the realities and challenges that Christians face in politics. The average Christian, sitting in church, has no idea what other Christians go through as they fulfill their calling in the political arena. They also do not understand the profound sense of calling that they have. Because it can be so hard, they often feel compelled to serve their country like that. I remember speaking to a friend running for Congress...and he said, "If I die in a terriorst attack in Congress, then that is the sacrifice I make for my country." He is not enrolled in the armed forces, just an ordinary Christian.

Secondly, unless you have been there, it is hard to describe the incredible NEED there is for people of solid character and values to be involved in government. That is why I am excited about Sarah Palin. We can all have different view about women/motherhood, but we CAN agree on the need to have people that represent us in values and character. She was the woman available and ready for the job. We need to be grateful that someone of character stepped up to the plate, no matter if they are man or woman. Take it from someone who has been involved in government....We need more people like Sarah Palin.

As a Constitutional Office, the elected official must be someone who can uphold the Constitution and its values (man or woman). Let's not forget that fundamental purpose. While it is good to be reminded about church leadership and the role of women in that regards, let's not forget that we are talking about "apples and oranges." They are two separate arenas.

I am a woman who loves children, would love to be a stay at home Mom, and pour my life into my children. But I cannot escape the realities of the world around me. I cannot just live my comfortable life at home. God is calling me to make an impact on the broader Kingdom of God -- in whatever capacity, because I can make a difference. As a mother I can make a difference on my children...But I know God wants to use me to the fullest! And I think that is what Sarah Palin is all about!

Kerry Reid