Living your values
by: Richard Land - Sep 3, 2008 - comments: 17
Sen. John McCain electrified the Republican base and millions of people of every political persuasion last Friday when he selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. Why?
First, because she is a reform-minded, no-nonsense, pro-life, pistol-packing hockey mom with five children. And her pro-life convictions have been illustrated vividly by her decision to carry to term and keep her fifth child, a son with Down syndrome. It is one thing to espouse a pro-life position. It is quite another to live your values and affirm life in this way.
This column originally posted at Casting Stones, a blog hosted by Beliefnet.com.
Now, it has been revealed that her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant. I have been inundated by reporters and pundits from the media’s chattering classes wanting to know if this revelation will cause traditional family values voters to withdraw their support. It has been clear they expect my answer to be “yes” because they are surprised and astonished when I tell them that this will make traditional values, pro-life voters more likely to support her.
The fact that the secular media are so astonished by my answer shows the extent to which they just “don’t get it” when it comes to pro-life Protestants and Catholics. Why would the Palin family’s decision to support their daughter in having this baby and marrying this baby’s father resonate so positively with pro-life voters? Because the Palin family made the “pro-life” decision in deciding to welcome the baby their daughter and their future son-in-law conceived. The Palin family’s statement says it all:
“We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.
“Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates.”
Clearly, they don’t approve of her behavior, but they are not going to compound the mistake by destroying their grandchild. That’s living your values.
Contrast Gov. Palin and her husband’s reaction to Sen.Obama’s. During the campaign, Sen. Obama said that if one of his girls made a mistake and was pregnant out of wedlock, he wouldn’t want her to be “punished” with a child. Pro-lifers don’t see a child as punishment, but as a blessing.
Gov. Sarah Palin and her family haven’t just affirmed the pro-life position. They live their values.
This column originally posted at Casting Stones, a blog hosted by Beliefnet.com.
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission works to protect the sanctity of human life. If you would like to learn more about this issue, additional resources are available here. If your church is interested in purchasing bulletin inserts or other materials on the sanctity of human life, please visit our online bookstore and erlc.com.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Faith, Family, Parenting, Life, Abortion, Citizenship, Christian Citizenship,
17 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Sep 3rd, 2008, at 10:43pm, Joe Dimarco wrote:
Well said, It is about time that we have a candidate that says something and actually follows through in “deed and action”. My hat goes off to Senator McCain for his excellent choice in Gov. Sarah Palin for his running mate. I would also like to praise the Palin family for their truly “Pro-Life” stance. For a parent to show such courage and conviction to carry their child to term knowing the challenges that they face with their son Trig is amazing, but then to see their daughter stand up for the same convictions in the face of advercity shows that she was truly brought up by two very fine parents. I truly believe that this is a blessing that she will be our next Vice President of the United States of America. Our Country needs someone of such great character in that position.
2 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 6:07am, Jean Guth wrote:
Pray that God’s special grace will be on the Palin family, empowering them to CHOOSE, day by day,
to GLORIFY GOD by living out their values.
Pray that Levi and Bristol’s marriage will be established on Jesus Christ, the Rock.
3 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 7:34am, Karen wrote:
I always pray for our country and Sarah Palin seems to be this answer as we need truly godly people leading it who are transparent to the american people. She is indeed a breath of fresh air from the status quo.
We don’t need anymore secular politicians who just say things to get in office and then when they are you really find out what they are about. Its like a revolving door of the same over and over again. Yes, Sarah will probably break this mold - she is not just a star that is born - she was already born.
4 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 9:25am, Gina wrote:
Reading your commentary has cleared up a question that has plagued me since the speech she gave last night at the Republican National Convention. I was wondering why she hadn’t defended her daughter against the attacks from the media and now I believe it is because she truly intends for them to leave her daughter and her issues out of the spotlight as has been the custom for the rest of the candidates children of the years. If she brings it up it lends credence to the media’s probes for information. I appreciate your articles and the clarity it brings to my world view.
5 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 12:10pm, Barbara Gooch wrote:
Can I possibly be the only baptist women that has a problem with McCain’s choice? I cried when I was waiting to hear his nomination and found out that it would be her. Heres why, unless I am in an ultra conservative church, which I thought was representative of most SBC churches, is it not understood that a woman should not be the head of the household, not hold a position in the church like preacher, deacon, etc? Is it also not shown throughout The Bible that the leaders in Biblical times were all male. The only time a woman was even talked about in a leadership role was more so under submission of a man, ex. Ester asking her husband to save her people. Please show me differently.
Will need to continue discussion on another comment due to word maximum
6 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 12:32pm, Barbara Gooch wrote:
It seems so many people were up in arms about Clinton being president with one of the many factors being she was a women. So why now is it alright for Palin to come off being ever so great, is it just because she is VP and not President. If something happens to McCain, she would become President. If he wanted to get a conservative with our views, maybe he should have thought more about Huckabee. Please don’t think that I will be voting Obama now, I just don’t know if I can vote at all. When is it alright to compromise what you believe just to vote? Could we face judgment from Christ for not voting at all or could we face judgment for allowing women to run for the head of our country? I don’t believe that women don’t have a voice in politics, but I hold the view that their should be headship over you. In Senate, you would have the president over you, but as president no one is over you. Of course, Christ should be, but I’m talking rankings. Will need to continue this due to limit
7 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 12:49pm, Aleene wrote:
I am an inerrant, conservative Southern Baptist, believer in the Bible. I am concerned and regret
everyone is still talking about the error made by
Sarah Palin’s daughter. Especially all the Media
which contains TV, Computer, Newspapers, magazines,
etc. Please stop it. We have heard it - we know
about it, so let that be it.
I admire Mrs. Palin’s stand on abortion. I am a
Pro life believer.
8 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 12:58pm, Barbara Gooch wrote:
Also should it not matter that her daughter is pregnant. Look at the standard set for choosing a preacher, deacon, etc., even though it’s for male? But if control is not in the household then how do you the church position your in or the country? I’m casting stones at myself and fill for all, I was in the same situation as her daughter. I was 17, got pregnant and still married to the father. But sin is sin. If my husband was a deacon and our child was having sex, or in constant sin, I would expect him to get off the deacon role. I know it doesn’t say a woman shouldn’t be pres. or if your child is in trouble get out of a position of government, but it does for the church. It doesn’t say that you shouldn’t allow non christian to not have abortions, but we firmly stand on not allowing any one to because it mentions in the bible the sanctity of life and to protect it, that to which we use and take to government. So if we apply some principals shouldn’t we apply it to all?
9 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 2:49pm, Matt wrote:
RE: Barbara’s post # 5
Au contraire.
Southern Baptists believe that men fulfill the biblical model of “headship” for the church and the family. That’s it. There is no ‘etc.’
Public office, leadership in other church-related ministries or non-church ministries is A-OK! (There may be some churches that take more extreme positions, but you won’t find those limitations in the Baptist Faith and Message. Neither will you find them in Scripture.)
Again, (most) Baptist thought on the subject = 2 specific roles limited to male leadership: pastor and head of household. There is no “etc” on the list.
Unfortunately, Barbara’s misrepresentation of SBC thought is not uncommon.
10 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 7:47pm, Barbara Gooch wrote:
My etc. was only in relation to elders. I was putting that to get the point across I was trying to make and limiting my words. That was it, it had nothing to do with extending it to government, just kept out elders. And as I pointed out that it doesn’t say anything about women in government, but it is clear in examples given in the many king roles of the bible. Don’t see women taking that leadership. Do you think there’s a reason for that.
11 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 9:09pm, Karen wrote:
I agree 100% with McCain’s choice which is Sarah Palin.
The bible says that a woman can’t be in leadership? Hmm, not too sure on this one - will have to research this and obtain some scriptures here. I agree that a man should be ahead of the household in spiritual matters.
12 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 9:34pm, Karen wrote:
The response of women being in leadership:
Please visit: http://www.churchofgoddfw.com/women/w_leadership.shtml
These are specific scriptures in bible concerning a woman and leadership. There was a woman apostle named specifically. This isn’t a denominational view but I believe a scriptural view of this.
13 On Sep 4th, 2008, at 9:42pm, Karen wrote:
I don’t take what they call the “mainstream liberal media” seriously. They are running scared because of Sarah Palin and all they know to do is attack. Well, if they keep attacking its going to be like them placing their hand in a hornets nest- they will get stung back indeed! They won’t know what hit them.
14 On Sep 5th, 2008, at 8:14am, Karen wrote:
Concerning Hillary Clinton versus Palin on why are people so happy now about this now with Palin. Palin has true family values and is a godly individual that is why- she is a true conservative. Plus, we already had Bill Clinton for President - personally I’m tired of the Clintons and don’t at all agree with their socialist ideas. For example, I don’t want universal healthcare.
I’m definitely going to vote because I care deeply for this country and I won’t let it get thrown to a bunch of wolves who want to turn it into a socialist country. This country started with the Judeo-Christian heritage and this is why this country has been blessed. I don’t want this country to look like europe - with higher taxes and even more government. I want to make my own decisions - I don’t need the government to do this. Nine times out of ten socialism doesn’t promote godly values but humanist ones.
15 On Sep 5th, 2008, at 9:26am, Pam wrote:
What about Deborah? God uses women to lead, too!
16 On Sep 5th, 2008, at 4:08pm, Aleene wrote:
To the person questioning my response to Sin:
I was not saying the act was right...it is
wrong. But I was saying we have all heard it,
read about it, so let that be the end of it.
I am tired of hearing about it.
17 On Sep 8th, 2008, at 8:30am, Kay wrote:
Voddie Baucham has been on your program and received good reviews. He has some words of wisdom on Sarah Palin:
http://www.voddiebaucham.org/vbm/Blog/Entries/2008/8/30_Did_McCain_Make_a_Pro-Family_Pick____.html
We would do well to heed!