A recent article accused Sarah Palin of having “Neanderthal faith.”

A recent Los Angeles Times story claimed that as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Sarah Palin espoused young-earth creationism. The report prompted liberal Internet columnist Robert Paul Reyes to brand Palin a "religious fanatic" with a "Neanderthal faith" who "thinks that 'The Flinstones' is a reality show."1

Yes, indeed, her faith is probably similar to Joachim Neander (1650-1680) the outstanding hymnwriter of the German Reformed Church.

From 1674-1679, Neander was principal of the Reformed Lateinschule (grammar school) in Düsseldorf. During these years, he used to wander the secluded Düssel River valley which was, until the 19th Century, a deep ravine between rock faces and forests, with numerous caves, grottos and waterfalls. Probably, Neander wrote and sang many of his poems there but also held gatherings and services. In the early 19th Century, a large cave was named Neanderhöhle after him. In the mid-19th Century, the cement industry started to quarry the limestone, and the narrow ravine became a wide valley which was now named the Neander Valley (in German, Neanderthal). The “Neanderthal Man” was found there in the summer of 1856, giving Joachim the distinction of being the only hymnist with a fossil hominid named after him! 2

Though his friendship with Jakob Spener and his association with the Pietists caused him to be suspended from his teaching position, he is still called "the Paul Gerhardt of the Calvinists."3

If you visit the web site of Sarah Palin’s church, you will find that her faith does indeed appear to be the same faith of Joachim Neander. For once a liberal blogger got it right! Though I’m sure it was a mistake.

References:
1 Jim Brown - OneNewsNow - 10/2/2008, www.onenewsnow/election2008
2 www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/n/e/a/neander_j.htm
3 www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/g/e/gerhardt_p.htm

David Stertzbach II, B.A.
Music Pastor