Posted on 09/06/2008 5:28:51 PM PDT by markomalley
A friend asked me why evangelicals think it’s okay that Sarah Palin’s seventeen-year-old daughter got pregnant by her boyfriend. I think the exact wording was, “Why are we so excited about it?” Hmmmm. That’s not exactly the way I would put it.
I don’t know anyone who is “excited” about a teenage girl getting pregnant out of wedlock. This seems to be a point on which there is near-universal agreement. Getting pregnant outside of marriage is always problematic, but when you are a teenager, the difficulties are magnified. This isn’t a liberal or conservative observation—just a statement of reality.
However, I think the question is meant to go to a different point. Why are evangelicals willing to overlook the pregnancy of Sarah Palin’s daughter? Well, it is a useful question, given that everyone I have talked to (an admittedly unscientific sample) seems to love Sarah Palin. Count me in that number. I thought she did a terrific job in her speech on Wednesday night at the Republican Convention. But what about her daughter getting pregnant outside of wedlock?
Here’s a simple answer. Sarah and Todd Palin are not the first parents to have a child make this sort of mistake. And it’s not just the getting pregnant part. It’s as much the part about being sexually active in the first place. Given that most of us knew nothing about the Palins ten days ago, we aren’t in a position to say anything about how they raised their children. But Bristol Palin is hardly the first child raised in an evangelical family to get pregnant out of wedlock. We might be surprised if we knew how often this happens. That isn’t meant to excuse anything. Sin is sin, wrong is wrong, but is helps to remember that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and “there but for the grace of God."
But doesn’t it reflect poorly on the parents when children make bad choices? The answer is yes and no. Certainly it has cast a shadow over the whole nomination of Sarah Palin, and it has given the media another opening to attack her. But her daughter’s pregnancy does not disqualify her for public office. By the same token, I would argue that a similar situation would not automatically disqualify a pastor from serving in a local church. Note the word “automatically.” Sometimes churches have demanded a level of perfection in pastoral child-rearing that James Dobson couldn’t possibly meet.
It’s not what the children do that matters as much as how the parents respond. 1 Timothy 3:4 tell us that a spiritual leader must “manage his own household well.” How do you measure that? The real test of any manager is how he responds when trouble comes. Anyone can manage an organization when you have plenty of money in the bank, when your market share is growing, and when everyone is happy. Great managers rise to the top when the waters are rough, when money is tight, when the market is down, and when times are tough.
Do they cover up the truth or do they face reality?
Can they demonstrate wisdom in how they respond?
Do they keep their people united?
Do they have a plan and will others follow their plan?
Can they remain positive and calm when others are panicking?
These are the traits of good leadership—and you only see this when unexpected trouble comes. Leaders rise to the top in hard times. And that’s why I think pastors (and other spiritual leaders) ought not to be trashed or suddenly dismissed because of family issues. It’s how they respond that makes the difference.
Regarding Sarah Palin and her pregnant daughter, so far so good. Her daughter did not abort the baby, which many people would have advised her to do. And she and her boyfriend plan to be married and keep the baby. Good for them. I can’t imagine that Todd and Sarah Palin are happy about their daughter’s pregnancy, but as far as anyone can tell, they have responded with grace and courage under an enormous media spotlight. They have done well, their family seems to be rallying to the cause, and they are setting a good example of how to handle a crisis when the whole world is watching.
Evangelicals of all people believe in sin and grace. We admit our sin and we cling to the grace of God. We face the consequences, we seek forgiveness, we love each other, and we go forward together.
I figure, when the daughter comes to you and says "Help, I messed up," that's not the time to lecture them on sex. They already know that they're about to suffer the consequences for their actions. Instead, it's the time to help them mitigate the damage as much as possible - get ready for unexpected parenthood. Support and love, not condemnation.
It's interesting - the Old Testament code didn't punish premarital sex particularly strongly. It's not encouraged - it is still wrong - but the consequence is marriage. Contrast that with adultery - that carried the death penalty.
You're right...I am an Evangelical and I say she is loved by her Mother and Dad and siblings. May they all live happily ever after. God bless them and their soon to be born baby.
Guess I should have read the comments above :-P
> Obama is now running against the VP position? weird.
Not at all.
Everybody knows that if John McCain is elected, barring any gross error on her part during her term as VP, Sarah is the next president.
The Left is LIVID and AGHAST at the prospect of at least twelve more years of Republican Administration.
They MUST destroy her, or they can forget about the White House for at least 12 years, and very likely 16.
McCain appears to be in pretty good shape, and his mom is bright and cogent at 96.
Right, like we never heard about anything the Clintons did, or we thought they did.
That's a really smarmy answer. Like Sarah Palin, a few of us conservatives have had problems in out lives.
We're not cookie-cutter people. We're critical thinkers with morals. I'm not a church-goer, but I know right from wrong. I believe in God and hope to find the right church someday.
Conservatives that are Christian are like a caricature to the left. They don't understand us, and never will.
Are you seriously suggesting that FR as a community went after a minor child?
What would Evangelicals have said if Chelsey Clinton ended up in this situation?
Don’t know if this is a planted question or not... but why are you asking people here what YOU should think? Isn’t that up to you?
Group-think stinks on either side. I would imagine that Christians have a similar background (as do freepers) and that that similar background can lead to many of us having similar positions.
Informing yourself can modify that position, but “what if it was Chelsea?”, is something you have to look in your head and heart to find how you would feel, not on a message board.
Nobody is.
As I said, go back to the Clinton admin. Do some research, and make you’re own decision.
I may have been mistaken...apparently it’s impossible for hypocrisy to exist of FR.
I don't have to do research..I know they didn't go after a minor child...end of story.
Now if you want to make those kinds of wild accusations I suggest you come up with some proof.
You’ve only been here for 4 yrs. You want proof, get it yourself, I know what I’ve been reading here over the years.
Hypocrisy exists here as it does in any social circle.
So does love and forgiveness of people of any political stripe. Maybe you’re not hanging with the right people here.
Go ahead and have a divergent view on DU on any number of issues. You’d be tombstoned by Skinner in a minute.
How does one hang with a particular person on an anonymous web forum?
Who’s Skinner?
Like what? Spit it out....Can't you even remember one thing what was written? You are the one who is suggesting that the big evil FR as a whole couldn't win without degrading a little girl.
that was written..
I was tempted to just pass by this article.
I’m very happy I took the time to read it. Clarity - education - peace of mind.
THANKS.
PLEASE PRAY FOR SARAH PALIN’S SAFETY, GUIDANCE, . . .
PARTICULARLY FOR HER PROTECTION AND THE PROTECTION OF HER FAMILY.
The enemy is not happy with her rise.
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