It was a hectic and historic two days at Liberty University. Friday night, James Robison shook the rafters of the Vine Center with his Baccalaureate keynote address. Then Saturday, President Donald Trump pumped up 7,000 graduates and 50,000 friends and family when he delivered the school’s 44th Commencement Address. For the The Stream’s publisher, the return to Liberty evoked powerful memories. When he first visited what is now the sprawling campus, there were no buildings — only a vision in the heart of Dr. Jerry Falwell. “I want this mountain,” he told James. They prayed for the vision to be fulfilled.

Now, on the 10th anniversary of the death of Dr. Falwell, his Liberty University is among the top five largest universities in the nation. And it just hosted the President of the United States. 

On the plane flight back to Dallas, James took the time to reflect on President Trump’s speech and his memories of Liberty.

So how do you feel the commencement went?

When I was back there in the mid-70’s with Dr. Falwell, he hadn’t bought the mountain, and I listened to him talking about it. Then, when you pray with him, and you help him over the years, you become real close. Dr. Falwell was a visionary, and used a reference to Notre Dame: “We want to be to evangelicals what Notre Dame is with Catholics,” … to be at all levels with them. Now, when I see firsthand what has happened, it is overwhelming.

I would like to add this: Jerry Falwell, the president of Liberty now, was 10 years old when I started preaching there; Jonathan Falwell was five and Jeannie was in between. To look at those families and their adult children, some who are married, you recognize they are beautiful individuals. The glow and glory of God was on the children and their spouses, and it was one of the most beautiful things I could ever hope to see.

The same is typical of the student body and faculty. Amazingly, I observed that same countenance of humility, meekness and dependence upon God. They gave God the glory for everything. That impressed me.

What was your biggest take-away from President Trump’s speech?

Having been pretty close to President Trump for 14 months, I see a more poised, focused leader. Having never used a teleprompter, he’s done extremely well from the get-go. Today, we saw a more polished speaker with greater poise and timing, even when reading the teleprompter.

He was forceful when he spoke about us being a nation under God, referring to Him as our “Creator,” while emphasizing the importance of freedom, families, responsibility, accountability, and the need to bring government under control. That came through very clear.

In your close today, before the benediction, you made a strong statement about Trump and the nature of the news media. Can you elaborate?

I stated to everyone in attendance and watching online that we have a President who will not be intimidated or manipulated by any form of political correctness, partisanship, prejudice or a very biased liberal media. It is not only fake news; it’s outright deception. They distort the truth, or ignore it. He will not be manipulated by it. I say we need to thank God for that.

You say Donald Trump “chose to go” to Liberty. What does it mean having the President of the United States deliver his first commencement at the nation’s biggest Christian university?

Many will say it’s just to say thanks to a political power base. I’d say that he was wise enough to know that their vote mattered. But to be honest with you, from personal experience, and time with him, he has tremendous respect for Christians who really love the Lord and one another. He was speaking to people who love freedom and understand we all need to be a part of the decision-making process. We must keep the government under control. He sees Evangelical Christians understanding that.

To be honest, he has treated me and other Christian leaders with as great a respect as anyone could ever hope for. I have also watched him notice the people who think nobody notices. He goes out of his way to be kind to people that most would think no one would even notice being there. I personally believe he cares deeply about people of all races and all people who’ve been hurt. I believe he wants to help them.

One of the highlights of the entire commencement was when President Trump called for the predominately-black choir group LU Praise to sing a song, and then he went down to join them.

A computer glitch prevented them from being able to sing at the appointed time, but he still wanted to hear them. Amazingly, while they were singing, he went on down there by them. I saw him pull Jerry Falwell with him and go down to encourage them while they were singing. Standing on the field right in front of them, he then went up to shake their hands. While the Secret Service was trying to get him out of there, he posed for picture after picture with the wonderful choir.

Now, that’s what I’ve seen him do as I’ve traveled with him in different settings while he was running for president. He kept giving attention to those who never thought they’d be noticed.

What do Stream readers need to know about his speech that the mainstream media likely missed?

He spoke without ever using what appeared to be an attempt to use religious language or words to try to impress Christians. I saw none of that. I saw sincere reference to what the greatness of God has done in our country, and what faith and families have done. He emphasized that we all have one Creator and are part of the human race. And if Christians could just learn to be family among themselves while loving God and their neighbor, it would make such a positive impact on the world.

I think every time he sees glimpses of that, it excites him and encourages him.

Finally, at the Baccalaureate you spoke emphatically about the need for wisdom around the President.

I’ve watched this President personally in our relationship, and have observed him with other members of the Cabinet and other groups talking to him — business leaders, various groups represented. When something is put forward with real wisdom, he always receives it. He responds to it, and with all his heart tries to begin applying it where needed.

Having observed what happens in Washington, D.C., for more than 35 years, I have watched the circles around our Presidents, in the name of protection, cut off any opportunity for wisdom to get in the room, much less have a seat at the table of reason and actually be heard.

I’m calling for all Christians and all readers of The Stream to be in fervent prayer for the President and all our national leaders. I think President Trump recognizes wisdom. I have watched him respond positively to it. I believe he appreciates it and will try to do it.

I challenged people the night before during the Baccalaureate to “study your enemy because he is surely studying you, just as Satan after tempting Jesus. He watched for a point of vulnerability in order to deceive and destroy God’s Kingdom purpose.”

The enemy will try to keep President Trump from hearing the voice of wisdom. That’s the strategic tactic of the enemy in Washington. The powers of deception and darkness work to keep our leaders from even coming to the table of reason together — and when they do come there, he does not let wisdom have a place in the room.

That’s why we must pray: God, don’t allow this President, his Cabinet and our elected representatives to be cut off from the sound of wisdom. That’s got to be our fervent prayer, because this President wants to be surrounded by it. He has told me that firsthand. He wants it!