Does Sarah Palin Present a Dilemma for Complementarians? Part 1

The media is swirling with opinions and breathless news about Sarah Palin potentially being the Vice President — or even under some dark scenarios the President —of the United States of America.  The role of Gender Blog is not to provide a voter's guide, but to help Christians to think biblically about a female vice presidential candidate.  It is times like these that underscore the importance of looking to the Word of God as our guide in sorting through ever changing cultural and political situations.

From the outset we must remember that on November 4 the voters will not elect a national minister or pastor in chief.  A president is not held to the same moral standards as an elder of a church.  While it is a blessing from God to have ethical or even Christian political leaders, the Bible places no such requirements on secular governments.  Even though the Bible reserves final authority in the church for men, this does not apply in the kingdom of this world.

Therefore we must be careful to not go beyond the teaching of the Bible.  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 as a single woman 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.  We are looking forward to learning more about Governor Palin from her convention address this evening, and are grateful that the election is more than two months away.  In the meantime, we will be praying for Todd and Sarah Palin as they face challenging decisions under the bright light of public scrutiny.