They are not publically condoning their daughter's life style or the way the baby came about. They are trying, yes trying to make something good and special out of this whole scenario.
Eagle.......An old Christian friend of mine told me on more than one occassion....."Put Jesus in the situation." In other words, let's put Jesus at this celebratory occassion that the Cheney's are doing. Would Jesus attend if invited? Would He snub the occassion, and go into a "Thus sayeth the Lord God Almighty!", diatribe of condemnation, and then walk out of the place or what?
Well, the Jesus that I have read about in the New Testament through and through, chose Zacheus's house to dine, and not the "perfect" "moral" "religious" folks home's. Wonder why? Cause He came to restore and save this messed up human race. Now, the Cheney's as parents are expected, even commanded by God in the bible to extend or model to their children God's, "grace", "unconditional love" etc.. Yes, I think the Cheney daughter is in a state of rebellion, not unlike the Prodigal son.........Yet, after the son had squandered-away his entire inheritance on women, wine, and debauchery, his Dad still loved him and welcomed this contrite-of-heart son home.
Sin leaves scars, even though it's forgiven. What we sow, we reap. The Cheney's lives are on public display regardless of what they do.
I still want you to think about how Jesus would handle an "invitation" based on how the New Testament has revealed the Incarnate Creator/God's 33 years on planet earth.
I think He would have accepted the invitation, He/Jesus would come shake hands with everyone, would give the Cheney's embraces as well as their wayward daughter too. He wouldn't condone the daughter's lifestyle, but He wouldn't shun her because of it either. As Paul said over and over.....Love covers all things........If your a Christian, and you want to be His servant........you must allow God's love to undergird any and all things you do in His name. That means that you still are allowed to see things as wrong, and judge them so, but it also means that you must let love bridge the gap........between the sinner and God. How else did any of us who our Christians come to God? By being goodie two shoes? Far from it, as Romans 3:23 says, "For All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.".
Remember, dining at Zacheus's house was dining at one of the worst, notorious sinners in Israel. He was a cheating tax collector. He cheated poor and rich alike. He was excommunicated from the Jewish culture because he was considered both a criminal, low-life, and an Roman conspirator. Who does Jesus desire to dine with?
What was the outcome of Zacheus's encounter with Jesus's unconditional love.......The man repented, and became a believer.