The blogosphere has been full of stories and opinions about the recent nomination of Sarah Palin for Vice President of the United States. Conservative Christian leaders such as James Dobson and Phyllis Schlafly have embraced her candidacy and she is receiving endorsements from pro-family groups.
But I suppose the most surprising fact of her candidacy is that even though she boasts of being a member of Feminists for Life and complimented Hillary Clinton for the 18 million cracks made in the “glass ceiling” not too much is being said about the role reversal (Mr. Palin is reportedly “Mr. Mom” and the primary caregiver for their children) in Ms. Palin’s family by these very same groups which have made their mark by standing up for the traditional American family. They seem to have cleanly swept the feminism of Ms. Palin under the rug. But perhaps the problem of feminism goes much deeper than para-church ministries and pro-family groups and instead stems from within the modern day church.
Let’s take a look at what God says are the qualifications for leaders in the church which should also carry over into the civil realm:
In Exodus chapter 18, verse 21 (NKJ) says:
“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
Please take note that God is quite specific as to which sex is to be leaders, as well as the character traits they are to have.
Titus chapter 1, verses 5 – 9 tell us what type of men are to be chosen as elders (or overseers):
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop [overseer] must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
Please note once again that this is referring to males as leaders, which has been the traditional understanding in the church, even though many feminists think they have “broken the glass ceiling” in this area as well. However, God’s Word stands firm and it cannot be broken.
As Christians our worldview is to be shaped by the Word of God, not by what is popular or expedient or even pragmatic. We need to repent of accepting women as leaders in the church and civil government, not encourage women to step out of God’s delegated realm of authority (their home).
But I suppose the most surprising fact of her candidacy is that even though she boasts of being a member of Feminists for Life and complimented Hillary Clinton for the 18 million cracks made in the “glass ceiling” not too much is being said about the role reversal (Mr. Palin is reportedly “Mr. Mom” and the primary caregiver for their children) in Ms. Palin’s family by these very same groups which have made their mark by standing up for the traditional American family. They seem to have cleanly swept the feminism of Ms. Palin under the rug. But perhaps the problem of feminism goes much deeper than para-church ministries and pro-family groups and instead stems from within the modern day church.
Let’s take a look at what God says are the qualifications for leaders in the church which should also carry over into the civil realm:
In Exodus chapter 18, verse 21 (NKJ) says:
“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
Please take note that God is quite specific as to which sex is to be leaders, as well as the character traits they are to have.
Titus chapter 1, verses 5 – 9 tell us what type of men are to be chosen as elders (or overseers):
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop [overseer] must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”
Please note once again that this is referring to males as leaders, which has been the traditional understanding in the church, even though many feminists think they have “broken the glass ceiling” in this area as well. However, God’s Word stands firm and it cannot be broken.
As Christians our worldview is to be shaped by the Word of God, not by what is popular or expedient or even pragmatic. We need to repent of accepting women as leaders in the church and civil government, not encourage women to step out of God’s delegated realm of authority (their home).
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