GUEST: VIRGIL WALKER, Teaching Pastor, Redeemer Bible Church (Gilbert, AZ)
Kings, rulers, emperors, prime ministers, and presidents always surrounded themselves with advisors so they can hear what they consider to be the most informed perspectives of domestic and foreign policy. In our day, this would be the president’s cabinet with the heads of the various government agencies.
Most rulers throughout history have also surrounded themselves with spiritual or religious advisors in the hope that they will receive wisdom from those closest to God, or in idolatrous nations, from those who worship false gods. The Egyptian Pharaoh had his wise men, sorcerers, and magicians who provided counsel and performed their “secret arts.” The kings of Judah and Israel were always surrounded by prophets and priests in order to know God’s will.
And that’s the critical point—knowing God’s will only comes from those who genuinely know God. Just like the broad way that leads to the destruction and the narrow way that leads to eternal life, most who spiritually advise rulers will be like the false prophets of Ahab telling the king what he wants to hear while few will be brave enough to speak the true Word of God.
Enter the modern day and President Trump’s White House Faith Office, an advisory board of religious leaders selected by the president led by the well-known charismatic pastor and televangelist Paula White-Cain. White-Cain teaches the health, wealth, and prosperity false gospel and it influences how she leads the Faith Office.
There are other more sound Christian pastors and leaders like Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, and Franklin Graham, evangelist and head of Samaritan’s Purse. These men are in a testing position—how to be faithful when there is compromise all around?
Virgil Walker, pastor, author, writer, and podcast host, will join us this weekend to help us think through the spiritual influences on President Trump. Because how the President sees himself and how he makes decisions will be in part, perhaps in large part, influenced by who those have his ear.
