White House Bible Studies?

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

Dr. James Dobson said, during the 2016 Presidential campaign season, that Donald J. Trump had accepted the Lord during his new political journey, and Dobson's buddy was a witness to it.

At an event in Los Angeles a couple months ago I talked to a pastor who told me two of his friends were in the room, and that Dobson's report is accurate.

Trump grew up around the Christian message, so either be became born-again during the campaign, or he re-delegated, but either way, we are working with a baby-Christian.

I have been operating on the assumption he's a baby Christian, and I have appreciated the Christian leaders Trump has surrounded himself with.  But, now, the report is Bible Studies at the White House.

Christianity is a part of our history, and our heritage.  People once came to the White House to sing, pray, and worship.

Prayer services were once held inside the U.S. Capitol.

The Capitol was turned into a church, once a week, for decades.  The White House was also the location of a number of Bible Studies.

Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison both attended non-denominational Christian worship services held inside the chamber where Congress was meeting at the time.

It was George Washington who began the tradition of placing a hand on the Bible when taking the oath of office, and adding the words "So, help me God."

The Founding Fathers prayed for God to bless the United States of America.

The ended the Declaration of Independence with a mutual pledge "with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence."

Now, Donald Trump is in the White House, and we are seeing a kind of spiritual reawakening.

Lately, Trump has been having a Cabinet Bible study, and it's no surprise, considering who the President has surrounded himself with.

They've been called the most evangelical Cabinet in history – men and women who don't mince words when it comes to where they stand on God and the Bible. . . and they were all handpicked by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

From CBN News: "I don't think Donald Trump has figured out that he chained himself to the Apostle Paul," [Ralph] Drollinger laughed. 

Drollinger is a former NBA-playing giant of a man with an even bigger calling. He founded Capitol Ministries with the idea that if you change the hearts of lawmakers, then their Christian world view will guide them to make good policies.

He's started Bible studies in 40 state capitols, a number of foreign capitols, teaches weekly studies in the U.S. House and Senate and now leads about a dozen members of President Trump's Cabinet in weekly studies of the scriptures.

Health Secretary Tom Price, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Agriculture Secretary Sunny Perdue, and CIA Director Mike Pompeo are just a few of the regulars.

"It's the best Bible study that I've ever taught in my life. They are so teachable; they're so noble; they're so learned," Drollinger said.

It's groundbreaking since he doesn't think a formal Bible study among executive Cabinet members has been done in at least 100 years.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions also attends the study.

"He'll (Jeff Sessions) go out the same day I teach him something and I'll see him do it on camera and I just think, 'Wow, these guys are faithful, available and teachable and they're at Bible study every week they're in town,'" Drollinger said.

President Trump is invited to attend the Bible studies, too. Each week he receives a copy of Drollinger's teaching.

And Vice President Pence is also planning to join the study as his schedule permits. He also serves as a sponsor.

 In Pence, Drollinger sees many similarities to biblical figures like Joseph, Mordecai and Daniel – all men who rose to the number two position in governments at different times in history.

"Mike Pence has respect for the office. He dresses right - like it says Joseph cleaned himself up before he went to stand before the Pharaoh," Drollinger told CBN News.
"Mike Pence has uncompromising biblical tenacity and he has a loving tone about him that's not just a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal," he continued. "And then fourthly, he brings real value to the head of the nation."

Like others, Drollinger often compares President Trump to biblical strongman Samson.
"I just praise God for them," he said. "And I praise God for Mike Pence, who I think with Donald Trump chose great people to lead our nation."

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary