On a day when untold millions are celebrating the Republican nomination of Sarah Palin for Vice President, I cannot but help to wonder just how many people are not sharing in the elation that is currently dominating cable news, talk-radio and the blogosphere. Every conservative pundit that I have heard today is lauding John McCain’s choice to nominate, not only a conservative, but more importantly–a woman. This monumental decision comes on the heels of the anniversary of women’s suffrage, and many will see this as a step forward in the progression of equal rights for women in America. But what if someone had reservations about the nomination of a woman for the second highest office in the nation? Would it be fair if he, or she for that matter, were labeled a male chauvinist? Is it wrong not to share in the joy that currently permeates so many on the conservative side? 

I must confess that I am one who is carefully considering what it means to nominate and support a woman for VP. I say this because I must wonder if this comports with the biblical definition of leadership. This is not an attack upon Palin (or any women) in any respect nor is it a tacit charge of inferiority. In fact, the more I hear about her credentials the more I am impressed with what she has been able to accomplish. The issue then is not one of superiority versus inferiority, but of the defined roles God has established for men and women. Holy Scripture tells us that God created man and woman in His image but with different roles. Man is the leader, provider and protector while woman is the helper, life-bearer and nurturer.   

The Bible unabashedly defines the man as the leader in the home and in the church.

“The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.” (1 Cor 14:34-35)

“But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint." (1 Tim 2:12-15)

“Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.” (Eph 5:22-24)

Now let me be clear lest any confusion persist. While some have used these passages as a license to assert hegemony over women, they are distorting the very words of God. These passages do not speak of man in terms of superiority but simply in fulfilling a specific role as defined by God. Scriptural evidence to support egalitarianism can be found in the New Testament:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28)

One must remember that submission to authority does not imply inferiority as some would suggest. There are a great many today who accuse Christians of suppression, misogyny or chauvinism because they choose to follow the biblical pattern of leadership. But those who are quick to use these terms do not truly understand how God has structured His creation. Just as Jesus submitted to God’s will, and by doing so it did not make Him inferior, when a women submits to her husband she is not considered less nor does it follow that she is incapable of leading. In fact, in many cases the opposite might be true. The woman might do a better job in leading the family but that is not her calling. God instituted a divine plan in the Garden after the fall in which He said to the woman, “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you” (Gen 3:16b). When the harmony, intimacy and complementariness of relationships are distorted they are turned upside-down and are then operating outside of God’s design.

With that said, what do we do with women who desire to run for public office? What do we do with someone like Sarah Palin who upholds Christian values but wants to serve as leader of the free world? I personally believe this one of those gray areas where it is not explicitly forbidden in Scripture. Nevertheless, when the totality of God’s word is taken into account I believe we could find our answer with the leadership paradigm as expressed in Scripture for the church and for the family. Other than that, it is one of those moments where we are afforded the liberty of conscience.