Donald Trump misquotes scripture, appeals to religious Christian voters during speech at Liberty University

Donald Trump thumped his Bible, misquoted scripture and pledged to defend "under siege" Christians during a wide-ranging speech at one of the nation's most prominent evangelical Christian institution on Monday, in an apparent attempt to shore up support among religious conservatives just weeks before the Iowa caucuses.

"We're going to protect Christianity,'' he said during the convocation address at Liberty University, the Lynchburg, Va., school founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

The 2016 front-runner then proceeded to quote from what he introduced as "Two Corinthians, 3:17," prompting chuckles among students in the crowd of more than 11,000, who pointed out that the New Testament book is generally referred to as "Second Corinthians.''

The visit came as Trump tries to bolster his support among evangelical Christians who form a significant voting bloc in the critical early-voting state of Iowa, whose first-in-the-nation caucuses are less than two weeks away.

Polls show a tight race in the Hawkeye State, with Trump running neck-and-neck with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who launched his own campaign at the university last March.

Other than reading from the Bible, Trump stuck mostly to his traditional campaign pitch in the speech, but also promised that, as President, he would avoid political correctness and get people to widely resume saying "Merry Christmas."

In addition, Trump called for all Christians to band together, saying that Christianity is "under siege."

The thrice-married Trump got a warm reception by the school's president, Jerry Falwell Jr., who in a rousing introduction called the candidate a "breath of fresh air" and compared his blunt style to that of Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus Christ.

Trump appeals to religious Christian voters during speech at Liberty University

Students at Liberty University are seen singing Christian rock songs ahead of Donald Trump’s speech at the Christian university, in Lynchburg, Va.
Falwell also suggested that presidential candidates should not be judged on their religiosity, noting that his father was criticized for supporting Ronald Reagan, a divorced Hollywood actor, over Jimmy Carter, a southern Baptist Sunday school teacher.

Trump's visit, nevertheless, prompted protests by a handful of students who were angry that the candidate had been invited to speak on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"It's just very disheartening and disappointing,'' Jeff Long, a junior at the school who attended the speech, said. "I was disappointed, I was shocked that the school was inviting someone who does not honor the values of Martin Luther King Jr."

Trump made only a passing reference to the late King in his remarks, noting that the crowd size was testament to the civil rights champion's legacy.

"We're dedicating the record to the late, great Dr. King, OK?'' he told the crowd.

Convocation events, which occur three times a week, are mandatory for residential students at the school.