DALLAS, Nov. 3, 2014—

President George W. Bush spoke last night about the importance of the Bible and the role of faith during his time in the White House at an intimate gathering of 200 business and civic leaders in Dallas. The event at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum was held on behalf of the Museum of the Bible, a museum that will be just three blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Construction on the eight-story, 430,000-square-foot museum is set to begin this fall with a targeted opening date of 2017.

Mr. Bush shared his thoughts with Museum of the Bible Board Chairman and Hobby Lobby President Steve Green, who discussed a variety of topics with the former president, from the Bible’s impact on his life and presidency to his goals in building his presidential library and museum.

“I read the Bible every day during my presidency,” President Bush told the gathering. When asked about the role of faith during times of crisis in his presidency, Mr. Bush stated, “The easiest time to be faithful is during a time of crisis. The hardest time for faith is when all is well. Faith informed my principles and decisions, but not my tactics. It would give me strength, but I didn’t use my faith to make decisions. Freedom is a faith informed principle.”

Mr. Bush also spoke about the importance of the anticipated Museum of the Bible. “The museum is a great idea. It’s very important that the Museum of the Bible invites and makes people of all faiths feel comfortable. It will be an important part of our capital,” the former president said.

Green also spoke about the importance of the museum and its principle subject.

“The Bible has had a huge impact on our world today—from culture and politics, to social and moral justice, to literature, art and music, and more,” said Green, whose family has amassed one of the world’s largest private collections of biblical texts and artifacts since they began purchasing biblical antiquities in 2009. “Our family has a passion for the Bible and we are excited to be part of a museum dedicated to sharing its impact, history and narrative with the world.”

“As President Bush stated, the Bible is an important guide for all, including those facing the most important challenges of the day as ‘commander-in-chief’,” Green noted. “And that’s exactly why Museum of the Bible will be open for all people to engage with the Bible.”

Photo Caption: Former President George W. Bush (right) spoke with an audience of civic and business leaders at a Nov. 2, 2014, Museum of the Bible event in Dallas about the role of the Bible in his personal life and his own experience in building a presidential library and museum. Museum of the Bible Board Chairman Steve Green appears at left. (Photo Credit: Grant Miller)

About Museum of the Bible:
Museum of the Bible invites all people to engage with the Bible through museum exhibits and scholarly pursuits. The 430,000-square-foot museum, dedicated to the impact, history and narrative of the Bible, will open in 2017 three blocks from the U.S. Capitol in Washington. As of 2014, its traveling exhibits have visited five U.S. cities and three other countries. The museum supports academic research through its Green Scholars Initiative and through development of a high school Bible curriculum for domestic and international use. For more information, visit MuseumoftheBible.org.