Since her selection, Evangelical leaders appear to be enthusiastic about the conservative, pro-life Alaskan hockey-mom who was promoted to the Republican ticket. What is the denominational affiliation of Republican VP choice, Sarah Palin? If McCain is elected, would she represent a continued ascendancy of Evangelicals in power? Or would she bring forth a postdenominational, pan-confessional style to governance?

John Allen, Jr., an NCR senior correspondent, weights in on the subject. He discusses both her religious affiliation and the softening statements by her spokesperson, claiming she does not label herself as a Pentecostal. See article.

On a far deeper note, I am interested to observe Palin over the coming weeks to see what makes her tick. This goes far beyond affirming her pro-life position, or stance as a reformer. I am interested in her temperament, her thinking patterns, and whether she can weigh the future as a strategic leader.

In a 2003 meta-study into psychological factors, scholars weighed the research evidence for and against eight cognitive and personality factors that had been correlated with political conservatism: (1) mental rigidity and closed-mindedness, including (a) increased dogmatism and intolerance of ambiguity, (b) decreased cognitive complexity, (c) decreased openness to experience, (d) uncertainty avoidance, (e) personal needs for order and structure, and (f) need for cognitive closure; (2) lowered self-esteem; (3) fear, anger, and aggression; (4) pessimism, disgust, and contempt; (5) loss prevention; (6) fear of death; (7) threat arising from social and economic deprivation; and (8) threat to the stability of the social system.

Is this what Palin means by governing "with clear convictions"? I hope not.

Maybe we shouldn't ask whether Sarah Palin represents the future of Christianity or the Republican party. Maybe we should examine McCain-Palin's temperament to lead compared to Obama-Biden's. The Bush-Cheney team had all the Evangelical credentials, but lacked the temperament to construct a multi-lateral foreign policy and domestically to take America into a constructive post-partisan era.

As people of faith, we can learn from our history. Saul had all the credentials to lead Israel as its first King. He even prophesied as a Pentecostal! But when under pressure from foreign armies, he rushed to war, and did not have the temperament to trust God for the future of Israel. God had his eyes on David, a person after his own heart. David had a different heart, an open heart.

How should Christian leaders think through the heart choices America faces at this moment?

[Note: Jan, 2009. In retrospect, Palin demonstrated she did not have the cognitive complexity to strategically address foreign policy and domestic issues adequately. Did she learned her lesson? No, she keeps doing interviews now, speaking of media bias against her. She needs to distinguish herself in 2009 on an issue like energy, and then each year broaden that expertise with serious speeches, if she is to have a hope to be a national player. Otherwise, she will just remain a pretty face. Personality will only take you so far. Ask Eva Peron and Dan Quayle.]