The Amazing Sarah Palin

John McCain, the Republican nominee for President of the United States, has shaken up the political process by naming Alaska Governor Sarah Palin the first woman Republican vice presidential nominee in U.S. history. His last-minute revelation took everyone but himself and inside advisors off guard. McCain upstaged pundits and prognosticators in both parties to say nothing of creating a stunning contrast in VP candidates—Joe Biden being the older, male, conventional pick and Palin being the younger, female, novel choice. Conservatives, pro-lifers, traditional family folks, outdoorsmen and transformational maverick-oriented people find a unique and unexpected combination in Sarah Palin.

The liberal press, so committed to women’s advance, lead a negative charge citing lack of experience and pressing family obligations that demeaned McCain’s choice. For Republicans wary of McCain’s conservative credentials, Palin's nomination and recent convention performance infused a new enthusiasm across the Republican political landscape.

From the Christian perspective, does a gifted woman running for vice president present a positive biblical view or a negative one? Should biblically-oriented evangelical conservatives express joy or reservation? Sarah Palin is not running for a church pastorate, which would put the issue into a different context; she is running for public office. There is no legal impediment since women have full equal rights in America.

From a biblical standpoint, women are equals of men in salvation. Paul, a former Pharisee whose educational background would have reduced women to second class status, declared salvational equality in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

This was an astounding breakthrough for Paul who, in pre-conversion days, would have stated, “I thank God I am neither dog, Gentile or woman.” According to Genesis, both sexes are created in God’s image although the first female body came from Adam’s rib.

Old Testament history dignifies women enormously. Two Old Testament books are devoted to the stories of exceptional women and bear their names.

An unnamed wise woman delivered the entire city of Abel Beth Maacah in northern Israel from destruction (II Samuel 20:16). Deborah, a prophetess, inspired a crushing military victory for the threatened nation (Judges 4), and her victory with Barak inspired a great two-part harmony song recorded in Judges 5. Judges 4 also records how another woman, Jael, “hit the nail right on the head” when she assassinated the fleeing enemy general by pounding a tent peg through his temples as he slept.

A captive Israeli girl in Syria suggested to Naaman the leper that God’s prophet over in Israel could heal him. “Then she said to her mistress, ‘If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.’” Naaman was healed and became a convert. Read the whole story in II Kings 5.

Huldah, the prophetess, was a conduit of God’s word to good King Josiah when she told him that his revival delayed judgement on Israel a generation (II Chronicles 43:22-28).

New Testament passages reveal godly women in positive light. Christ was financially supported by women. Luke 8:2-3 mentions “certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities – Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.”

Paul’s evangelism was begun in Philippi through Lydia, a merchant woman who organized a prayer meeting by the river and later housed the team (Acts 16:14 & 40). Some female church workers were Paul’s joy (Philippians 4:3). One incredible passage is Acts 21:9, which specifically mentions Philip the evangelist’s “four virgin daughters who prophesied.”

If gifted church women were married, however, it seems some male prominence was decreed. “And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church” (1 Corinthians 14:35).

Politically, Sarah Palin may be a new, refreshing and vital infusion of womanly insight. She is apparently a Christian, pro-life and pro-family, fearless, brilliant, articulate and gifted for office. It’s a new political day, and it looks like evangelicals win this one.

Dave Virkler