Rocky Raccoon, fell back in his room
Only to find Gideon’s Bible
Gideon checked out, and he left it, no doubt
To help with good Rocky’s revival
—Paul McCartney
* * *
While your attention was preoccupied with Vice President JD Vance tutoring the pope on the fine points of catholic theology and with President Donald (Jesus) Trump healing John Stewart’s doppelgänger and with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quoting the gospel according to Samuel Jackson (You will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you), and with First Lady Melania weirdly resurrecting Jeffrey Epstein in the Grand Foyer of the White House, the entire Bible was read aloud, primarily at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, last week.
Every day. Seven days. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Eighty-four hours!
The. Entire. Bible.
It was read from cover to cover—every single book (66), every single chapter (929), every single verse (31,102), and every single word (727,993)—by 475 different people, including White House senior religious adviser Paula White-Cain, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Hegseth, and John Cooper, the lead singer for the band Skillet.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, Stephen Colbert, Bruce Springsteen, Pope Leo, and Stormy Daniels were not invited to read.
The president was.
The Bible is “sharper than a double-edged sword that cuts to the bone and marrow” (Hebrews 4.12). So you’d think the evangelical organizers of “America Reads the Bible” would exempt the president from any text that challenged his fragile moral infallibility. (I am my own moral authority!) But they didn’t. Instead, they assigned the president 2 Chronicles 7.14–22. And lo and behold, as he read from behind the Resolute Desk a miracle occurred.
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Lightning flashed. The president was struck like Paul on the road to Damascus. He bowed his head. Tears ran down his cheeks. He fell to his knees and prayed.
Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.
The world stood still. Heavenly choirs sang.
Okay. That didn’t happen.
Alas, the Bible won’t save the president. Nor will reading the Bible cover to cover every week revive our nation. Nor will posting the Ten Commandments in public buildings. Upholding the Constitution, honoring the Bill of Rights, heeding Chief Seattle’s speech on the unity of all people, practicing the Golden Rule, and restoring democracy will.
“Marjorie Taylor Greene, Stephen Colbert, Bruce Springsteen, Pope Leo, and Stormy Daniels were not invited to read.
The president was.”
Shows the avenue of belief clearly.
Amen, she said (She, being the Statue of Liberty.)
The word “humble” does not seem to be in Trump’s vocabulary nor in his actions. After all, actions speak louder than words. Reading the Bible from the corridors of power was simply more pious claptrap, an attempt to win the evangelical voters and–of course—a violation of the separation of church and state which is rooted in the First Amendment. Randy, your final sentence in your blog was a brilliant summary of positive actions that need implementation if we are to restore our national sanity, health and freedoms. Thank you!
Sign at No Kings rally: “My Only King is Stephen King”
Using a 4000 year old sacred text of a wandering desert tribe to justify genocide, war crimes, oppression, domination, rape–as the idf practices in abomination of the deepest evil. Heresy. Mocking the Almighty.
100%
Ah, Randy, I didn’t see the ‘Read the Bible’ mentioned in the news nor the 2 Chronicles. Smirking and shaking my head. Oh My Gosh, I searched and found ‘him’ reading … hands folded. I was gullible (FOR ONLY A MINUTE, WHO ME?). Keep educating us – please, keep them coming!
And the Bible said “Touch Me not thou hands of the dark for thou foul me with thy profanity of word and deed.”
Nor did sacred words save the president last night–the Secret Service did. There’s an irony here: DT’s palavering does not inspire religious faith, it creates the deepest sort of contempt.
Thank you for today’s blog. Yes, while THIS “Jesus” won’t “save” America, actions taken in the names of our founding principles just might. ❤️
Beautiful, Randy. Thanks also for 1) the White Album memory, and 2) introducing me to Chief Seattle.
“Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. -Luke 12:2 “
The daily lies and crimes will one day be accountable. The majority of the electorate can see through the facade now.
Amen.
I would have laughed my holy head off had Trump been assigned to read Genesis 19:34. He would have certainly been envious of Lot!!!