Katiie’s Beer

Some Christians closely follow scriptural teachings on the roles of women and men in the church.  For those wondering if scripture “allows” Christians to vote for a woman, this opinion piece by a Lutheran seminary professor may be of help…

“The callings of head and helper that God gave to men and women as they interact with each other in his world certainly have application beyond home and church.  Our interdependent relationship as head and helper - as men and women - is one beautiful part of the tapestry of how God ordered his whole creation.  When Paul states the principle in 1 Corinthians 11:3, there is every indication that he is stating a general principle with broad application that a Christian man or woman, wherever he or she may be, would recognize as a part of God’s design to bless us . Those who wish to restrict the application of head and helper to just home and church have yet to provide any clear scriptural proof for such a limitation.  There are no New Testament ceremonial laws that apply only to believers while exempting unbelievers.

However, it is also more than interesting to note that Scripture refuses to provide for us the same kind of specific application of head and helper to situations in society as it does for situations in home (Ephesians 5 for example) or church (1 Timothy 2) for example.  That means we may often have a difficult time knowing exactly how to apply the principle of head and helper to challenging situations in society.  To put it another way:  we don’t know precisely how that unique relationship between men and women would have played itself out in every situation in a sinless society. 

And because our world is far from sinless, that often puts us in very difficult situations.  It is already challenging when we seek to apply head and helper in the setting of Christian home and church.  How much more challenging then will it often be in the midst of an unbelieving world.  That unbelieving world does not care for anything that God has to say about anything in life.

Living in the midst of a sinful world often puts the Christian into situations in which that Christian may wonder how it is possible to honor all of God’s principles at once. It is not the fault of God’s principles - they do not contradict each other - but it is a challenge raised by the sinfulness of human beings.   At such times, we may need to act according to one good principle of God even though it may seem at the time that we are ignoring  another of God’s good principles. 

That brings us to the situation you mentioned with a woman running for a position of leadership in the government.  There may very well be times when we will recognize that it would be greater love for others  to vote for her because the other candidates would be far less capable and would cause much greater harm if they were elected to office.   At such times, our vote may seem to be in violation of God’s principle of head and helper, but there may be no better option. 

Let me also add that I would also respect another Christian who might respond to that same situation by abstaining from voting.  God has not given us a clear “right” or “wrong” in such situations.  He calls us to prayerfully wrestle with what will bring him glory by serving for the greatest good for our neighbor.  As those with whom God is already well pleased through Jesus, we can make such decisions in good conscience. 

Finally, wherever a woman has been elected to a position of governmental authority, there I owe that person in authority honor whether that person is  “Mr. Caesar” or “Mrs. Caesar.”   Whether everything was wonderful or not in the way that person came to a position of authority is not my concern at that time.  Instead, I am to recognize in the person holding that position someone to whom I owe honor and respect.”

I personally think that this is a time when the best person for Vice President is a woman!  I also think that, if John McCain were to die, she would be the best person for President.

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