Should Christians Support a Woman for Public Office

Should Christians Support a Woman for a Public Office? Part 1

THE ISSUE: Sarah Palin has just become the vice presidential candidate for the Republican Party; She has energized this otherwise confused, lifeless, party of corrupted, scandalized politicians and an unappealing presidential candidate. The party has had a disappointing and unpopular 8 years of executive confused management and legislative inactivity. She is the only candidate who shares values that many conservative Christians can support. She is enthusiastic, socially conservative, Christian, pro-family, pro-life, pro-gun, card-carrying NRA member, fiscally responsible and conservative, small government, tax reducing and for ethical government. Is it biblically acceptable for a woman to be in a position of public authority? Can a Christian support a woman outside the biblical admonitions to be a “keeper at home”?

AT STAKE: The Democratic Party ticket is comprised of a very bright, articulate and charismatic presidential candidate who is lacking in any real experience other than running for office and his campaign promises are socialistic, giving the government even more power to interfere with the lives of its citizens. The vice presidential candidate is a Washington insider who has been there for years; this means there will be no change in (basic) Washington or he would have already done it; he is part of the problem, not it's solution! The Republican presidential candidate is not known for his conservative policies. Both sides of this issue have had many Christians to the point of hopelessly apathetic doldrums. (But) a Democratic (Party) win, for many conservative Christians, means at least 4 years of a socialist, pro-homosexual, pro-choice, anti-Christian, anti-traditional family, increased taxes, big spending loss! It seems the only way to avoid this is to vote for the Republican ticket! Yet, the lack of enthusiasm for the presidential candidate causes hesitation. The vice-presidential candidate has energized many in the 'evangelical base', sensing with her they have someone with whom they can identify. But does the end justify the means?

I. The Problem/Solution Begins with Hermeneutics
   A. One must first of all be a born-again believer
   B. As a born-again believer, one is called upon to obey and follow Jesus, for He is both our Lord and the One who gave us eternal life
   C. In order to be obedient to what He said and taught one must know what He said and taught!
   D. Hermeneutics is the art and science of interpreting Scripture
      1. Context – Who? What? Where? When? How? Why?
      2. Historical setting
      3. Compare Scripture to Scripture
      4. Grammar/word meanings/part of speech
      5. Syntax – the relationship of the words in a phrase or clause to one another
   E. At least two valid systems of interpretation address our issue at hand. Both are (profess to be) “literal” systems of interpretation and maintain the highest view of Scripture as the inspired Word of God
      1. Covenantal
*Views God’s elect as the same in both Old and New Testaments
*Therefore this view sees Israel in the Old Testament and the Church in the New Testament as one and the same
*Israel’s failure to believe and follow the Messiah has led to her disqualification as God’s chosen people. Israel has now been replaced by the church
*In this view, the three main “institutions” in the world, the family, the church, and the state, are all held to be in a covenantal relationship to God. Consequently it sees no need for the separation of church and state since all three institutions operate under the same convenantal guidelines found in the Word of God, i.e., the Law and grace
*For many who espouse this view, all state institutions are governed by the law that God gave to Israel as they are universal from creation and not particular as to one people.
*The United States of America in particular is seen as a replacement for Israel through the covenants made such as the May flower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and other founding documents and believing persons of authority. This view sees the United States as a “Christian nation” operating now under the guidelines of the laws which God gave to Israel.

      2. Dispensational
*Views God as working in time and people giving certain guidelines that are universal in nature for the time given to reveal man’s inability to keep them in order that he might turn to God
*Views God’s elect as Israel in the Old Testament and the church in the New Testament, separate and distinct. Israel is the bride of the Father and the church is the bride of the Son. (The covenants made with Abraham, David and Israel are “literal” promises.)
*Therefore, this view sees Israel as separate and distinct from the Church with each having its stewardship responsibilities to live but with exactly the same method with which to fulfill them: By grace through faith!…always the same.
*Israel’s failure to believe and follow the Messiah has led to her being set aside as God’s chosen people but with a promised restoration by grace sometime in the “near” future. Israel has promises made to her by God which must be fulfilled.
*In this view, Israel is a covenantal theocratic state and the only one God has ever created. His work, law, precepts, judgments, and all things related to this are seen as binding to Israel but as exemplary to the rest of the world not in this covenant with God.
*For many who espouse this view, the goal of the church is not to create a theocratic kingdom on earth but to recruit those who will be in the coming Messianic Kingdom and prepare them for life in it. This coming earthly kingdom of Christ, the millennial reign, will bind together both Israel and the church, fulfilling promises given to both and consummating all things in the Lord Jesus Christ. The church’s role is to influence kingdoms for Christ, not create the millennial reign.