September 4, 2008 8:06 AM
More Vision Forum nonsense on Sarah Palin
For a picture of the arrogance and presumption that Doug Phillips has fostered in his devotees, check out this open letter from Rebecca Morecraft to Sarah Palin plastered all over the Vision Forum network today:
A Letter of Encouragement to Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin from a Sister in the Lord and the Wife of a Christian Pastor
It's quite lengthy and loaded with proof texts, but here's the main directive to Sarah:
Sarah Palin, God calls you to a higher position than the vice-presidency of the United States. He calls you to be the most influential woman in the world today, perhaps in history, by taking your stand on the Biblical principle of His divine model of womanhood. I implore you to see yourself, not as a candidate for political office, but as a cherished child of Christ, in subjection to His will. I earnestly pray that you will make every effort to "arrest the tide of demoralization breaking over our land" as you call upon the mothers and daughters of America to "smite their false gods and jealously contend for every woman's right which God has decreed upon us: the right to be learned, wise, noble, and useful in our divinely limited sphere; the right to mount the sanctified beam of our own quiet hearth-stone; the right to modify and direct our husband's opinion, if he considers us worthy and competent to guide him; the right to make our children ornaments to the nation and a crown of glory to our people; the right to advise, to plead, to pray;...the right to be all the phrase 'noble Christian woman' means." [paraphrasing Augusta Jane's quote above]I pray that you will demonstrate an even greater humility and strength of character than we have seen thus far by admitting you have taken the wrong path by accepting the nomination for vice presidency and ask to be released from this commitment. I will persevere in praying for you and your family. May God richly bless you as you are faithful to Him. I would be happy to talk with you or to correspond in any way that may prove helpful. My contact information is at the bottom of this letter.
It is a continual source of amazement to me that some Evangelicals/Protestants raise such a ruckus about Catholics believing in the spiritual authority of the Pope, even while setting up little mini-Popes of their own - and that these leaders disobey God's imperative to servant leadership in order to revel in their pedestal status.
Often these begin as well-intentioned people seeking righteousness, but then giving into the temptation of spiritual pride. Like the Pharisees Jesus condemned, they become white-washed sepulchers.
Our family's experience in a legalistic church (mercifully brief 1989-1990) was filled with people bossing us around, telling us that they had a Word for us from God. How dared they presume that God would speak to a stranger rather than guiding us Himself?
And how dare the Vision Forum crowd presume to become the Pope to Sarah Palin?
The truth is that these well-meaning people have become isolated and insulated, building an alternative universe and then judging the outside world by their self-imposed standards rather than by the historical truth of a heavenly Father who throughout the Bible has chosen unlikely leaders and who has warned us about making our own.
While their way of life has a lot to recommend it, this aspect of the Vision Forum ministry is really quite ugly. If Doug were a godly leader, he would put a stop to such arrogance and presumption rather than promoting it. But he and his followers can no longer see themselves objectively.
Robert Burns' verse comes to mind:
Oh would some gift the Giftee give us
To see ourselves as others see us.
~~~~~~~~~~~
For more background, see
The Doug Phillips controversy - Take 2
*The Doug Phillips controversy: Why my link was removed from Ladies Against Feminism
The Doug Phillips controversy: What does it mean to be a Christian leader?
Doug Phillips reconciliation breakdown
Posted in Campaign 2008, Church Issues, Spiritual abuse | Permalink
Comments
That letter makes me ill! The language is so manipulative and for lack of better words, just plain wrong. How anyone can voluntarily put themselves under such condescending leadership is beyond me.
Posted by: Tari | September 4, 2008 9:58 AM
Pardon my french, but what a bunch of c**p!!!! What are these people talking about, for crying out loud???
I do believe in the man being the head of the household; I an NO feminist, FAR from it acctually. I believe my husband IS my spiritual leader and I follow him; I trust that GOD brought him in to my life and I willingly and cheerfully surrender to his authority. What I don't get is how this people completely ignore the many examples in the Bible when God used women to change the course of history.
Where would we be without Tamar (Genesis 38:6-30, Rahab (Joshua 2:1-24), without Ruth (Ruth 1:1 - 4:22), without Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-27) and without MARY..just to name a few!!!!
All I'm saying is this: "who are we to say who God can use and when???". In my opinion, Sarah is here "FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS". Let God do his work!!!! If he wants her there HE is going to see her thru this. If HE doesn't want her there he is going to put a stop to it.
That's a BASIC Christian principle: GOD IS A SOBEREING GOD. HE RULES OVER ALL THE EARTH. IT IS HIS JOB TO LET SARAH PALIN KNOW WHERE HE WANTS HER.
Unfortulately, I think the probelm here is that these people belive they are the holy spirit, in charge of telling us of all the ways we are doing it wrong.
LET GOD WORK PEOPLE!!!! LET GOD WORK!!!!!
Posted by: LadyLovas | September 4, 2008 11:12 AM
What I find most interesting is how this plays into the 'vile evangelical mold' that the media and a good portion of the country buy into...that 'Evangelical Christians' are those people trying to force other people to live according to their own standards.
The truth is, most of us are not that way at all. We do our best to live our own lives according to our own convictions and add value to those around us in whatever way we can. But it is the minority voice like this one that will get all the press.
Posted by: King of Fools | September 4, 2008 11:36 AM
Please don't lump all Evangelicals and Protestants in with the VF people. :) I loved Sarah Palin's speech. I would not make the same choice as a mother that she has made, but who am I to say that her calling is the same as mine? I just have to believe she is following God's path for her and her children, just as I am following God's path for me and my children.
Leslie
Posted by: Leslie | September 4, 2008 11:50 AM
I also think it's interesting that you can't comment on Doug's blog. Hmmm...No conversation going on over there.
Posted by: Jamie | September 4, 2008 11:57 AM
Hi Barbara,
I thought you might be interested in this blog.
Adventures in Mercy.
Molly is a recovering Patriarchist.
Posted by: Milehimama | September 4, 2008 12:10 PM
I actually know of a lady or two who are working very hard to keep a marriage together, run a farm, raise several children, manage the house, and work part-time to supplement their incomes while the husband is away on long-term active duty.
They don't understand what's so difficult about Sarah Palin's upcoming job, nor why people are so astonished. Sarah will be a busy lady for the next 4-8 years, but so are many mothers.
Posted by: Marie | September 4, 2008 2:19 PM
What a bunch of nonsense. I do get a bit sick now and again from people who claim that God said this to them and that to them and so they must tell me that I am somehow in the wrong. I feel first and foremost that my walk and the desicions I and anyone else make for my/their life and the things I chose to pursue are between God and myself/purselves. Not only that, but too many times these people are so way off base in their statements that they could not have possibly come from God.
I had one women who mistook something I said to her about trusting God and how I even empty my wallet every Sunday at church, to mean that I do not tithe I only give God the scraps I had left, which was not the case. She sent me a long letter about how God kept her up all night until she wrote me this letter to tell me how wrong I am and that I am robbing God. And that she was compeled by God to show me the error of my ways so that I can be in his good graces again...... WHAT????
So I really shy away from people saying God told me to tell you this, or I felt compelled by God...... I am working on accepting this from trust worthy sources, but boy it can leave you with a bad taste. I think Mrs Palin can make a wonderful difference for this coutry and I will be voting this way. I do not belive that someone else has the right to tell her what her calling should be.
I think this family is awesome including the fact that they are supporting their daughter even if her choices were not the best. None of us are perfect and even the best kids raised in the best families who live in church practically can make poor choices.
Amy
Posted by: Amy | September 4, 2008 3:58 PM
I also wanted to say to please not lump all Protestants and Evangelicals together with these extreme groups. Truly, many more of us are NOT of that mindset. I can't think of one family in our medium-size church who believes that way, in fact!
Other than that comment, I'm really enjoying your thoughts on all of this and eagerly check in each day to see what you've shared.
Posted by: Cathy | September 4, 2008 8:49 PM
The TRUTH is??? "The truth is that these well-meaning people have become isolated and insulated, building an alternative universe and then judging the outside world by their self-imposed standards rather than by the historical truth of a heavenly Father who throughout the Bible has chosen unlikely leaders and who has warned us about making our own."
That is awfully presumptuous of someone who is stating that Doug Phillips is wrong for telling others what to believe. Your truth is just as skewed as you think Doug Phillips is. You are no different then Phillips, just on the opposite side because you don't believe what he stands for. If you can say something is the truth then so can the rest of us.
Posted by: Mrs. Damian Garcia | September 5, 2008 8:06 AM
Barbara,
Thank you for writing about this!!!
I also addressed it a couple days ago on my blog because I see these patriocentrists as nothing but hypocrites on this issue. When they start holding their favorite icons like Elizabeth Elliott and Phyllis Schaftly up to the same stay-at-home moms standards and do the same with their own gurus like Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald, maybe, then just maybe, someone might be willing to take them seriously.
Keep beating the drum. Sarah Palin is the most pro-life candidate I remember as long as I have voted and if Christians don't realize what is at stake in this election, they are truly blinded by their own sort of special interests, not to mention their abhorrent theology that makes men like Phillips not only little popes but demi-gods.
Posted by: thatmom | September 5, 2008 8:07 AM
Mrs. Garcia -
The difference between Doug Phillips and me is that I do not demand complete allegiance to a legalistic system of thought and behavior. I do not dictate how people should dress and define what their limits are.
I encourage people to seek out lots of opinions, pray and come to their own conclusions.
I understand your zeal in defending your leader, but it is leading to some confusion in your thinking.
I believe the scriptures which warn about leaders imposing burdens on their followers. I believe Jesus modeled servant leadership and that is the pattern we are to follow.
What will you do if sometime in the future the VF ministry crumbles because of a moral failure? This has happened many times before to leaders who consider themselves superior to their followers - pride goeth before a fall. Your trust should be in God, not an intermediary.
I'm glad you continue to read here, though - and thanks for your dissenting opinion. Please note that dissent would never be allowed in the Vision Forum inner circle.
Posted by: barbara | September 5, 2008 8:17 AM
Thank you so much Barbara for speaking up on this issue.I wholeheartedly agree.
Posted by: mary | September 5, 2008 9:29 AM
I skimmed the letter, it's way too long, I can't see how sarah Palin would have time to read this kind of 'advice'.
But this bit just made me chuckle:
I would be happy to talk with you or to correspond in any way that may prove helpful. My contact information is at the bottom of this letter.
As you said, presumptive arrogance.
Posted by: Clare | September 5, 2008 12:10 PM
Thank you for sharing that legalistic, judgemental piece by that woman, who, according to Doug Phillips, should probably "keep silent" amongst the believers. Why didn't her husband just speak on her behalf? (tongue in cheek here).
People who know the Grace, and Mercifulness, and Wonder of our Lord Jesus Christ should keep speaking up for this inspirational nomination of Sarah Palin. The more I read about her and her tough work, as well as her dedication to her family, the more I like her.
And, funny thing is, I wasn't a huge McCain supporter before his speech last night. In fact, I didn't think I was going to vote this election. When he talked about his humbling experience as a P.O.W. and how he sought after that to better serve his country, how thankful he was to be an American, and how we ought to be united by our freedoms here, I felt great inspiration and respect for him and his candidacy.
I don't know how the hyper-patriarchalists/legalists can filter the nomination of Sarah Palin through their patriarchal filters is astounding. They are blinded by their own kingdom ideals, which have more to do with THEM ruling, and less of Jesus Christ ruling, reigning and receiving all the glory and honor for His great work in sinner's lives.
Posted by: Kathleen | September 5, 2008 2:51 PM
Hi, Barbara, and thanks for showing me your link on my blog, and for stopping by and leaving a comment.
I've already seen this entry, and I agree with you completely, too! In fact, I think I showed this link to the True Womanhood blog in their entry on Sarah Palin. I know I shared it somewhere . . .
By the way, I occasionally check my sitemeter stats, and don't keep running tabs on it, or a hard and fast record, but I'd say by far the most outclicks from my site are to your articles on Vision Forum. Weird that in these pre-election days that people are still wanting information about Vision Forum, Matt and Jennie Chancey etc..
Posted by: Lynn | September 5, 2008 4:31 PM
OK, here's one more thing I don't get:
If, according to the VF, we are suppossed to submit to our husbands, why do they presume she doesn't have his full approval and support?
And if she's got his support, who are they to tell her what to do?
So are we supposed to listen to our husbands only if our husbands are "commanding" us in the way they approve of? But if they don't approve of, then it means we are probably not submitting correctly?
I don't get it!
How patronizing!
Posted by: LadyLovas | September 5, 2008 5:58 PM
Thanks for sharing this, Barbara. You expressed my exact thoughts/feelings on Vision Forum.
It's sad to see this abuse in leadership and how his "ministry" harms so many. It's evident in his disciples too...it really irks me to see them dispensing advice and telling other women what to do with their families. The irony is, in doing so they are trying to control these women's husbands by telling legislating what is best for his wife and his family.
Posted by: kat | September 5, 2008 10:50 PM
Wow! The arrogance of these people never ceases to astound me.
I am embarrassed for the woman who wrote this letter.
Posted by: Corrie | September 6, 2008 2:30 AM
Also, this woman addresses Governor Palin very disrespectfully. "Dear Sarah"???? Would she address the Queen of England as "Dear Elizabeth"?
Posted by: Corrie | September 6, 2008 2:33 AM
i just stumbled across your blog and i, too, am a Catholic woman. yes, preach it, my sistah!!! (you are a gifted writer, too!) this "Vision Forum" quotation is quite sad; i continue to pray that our separated brethren would humble themselves, stop the madness, and return to the Church Christ founded.
Posted by: Bernadette | September 9, 2008 7:08 PM
