Our Hope Podcast

For thousands of years, there have been many perspectives on the end times across different cultures and expressions of faith. Can we know for certain what is going to happen in the end, and what signs precede it? Are there events we can expect to take place before the Lord returns, and does He want us to be watching for them?As followers of Jesus, what should our response be when we encounter the various symbols, signs, and sayings associated with the end times? How can this knowledge strengthen our faith and help us discuss it with others? Join us as we explore these questions and many others with Mitch Glaser, PhD, president of Chosen People Ministries, in this episode of Our Hope.

What is the relationship between the sovereignty of God and human choice or free will? The Bible tells us God always accomplishes His plans according to His will. But it also tells us humans have a role to play in accordance with our choices. How can these two seemingly paradoxical ideas work simultaneously? In this episode of Our Hope podcast, Dr. Gregory Hagg, who teaches at the Charles L. Feinberg Center for Messianic Jewish Studies in New York City, walks us through each of these complex concepts and shows us how they intersect. We also explore questions like: How can evil occur despite God’s sovereignty?If God is sovereign, do my choices matter, and how?How does God’s sovereignty offer hope in our daily lives as believers?

Contemporary culture provides a variety of views of heaven—from pearly gates to sitting on clouds, strumming harps, and wearing wings. Different world religions offer an array of descriptions often characterizing heaven as a place of perfect peace and happiness, absent of pain and suffering, and the place where God dwells. But what does Scripture say? In this episode, we will learn what the Bible says and what Jewish people understand about heaven. We will also discuss how an understanding of heaven can help our faith as followers of Yeshua. Our guest is Darrell Bock, senior research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. Together, we ponder questions like:What did Yeshua teach about heaven?How is heaven viewed within Jewish culture?Why is it important, as believers, to be conscious of heaven?

The Bible speaks of a place of judgment known as hell. This concept is difficult for those who believe the Scriptures and those who do not. Some reject the idea of a loving God sending anyone to such a place. Others fear they or those they love could end up there. Still, anyone who follows Jesus must grapple with God’s judgment and hell, which Jesus Himself spoke about (Matthew 5:22; Luke 12:5; etc.) The concept of punishment after death, however, is hardly unique to the New Testament. It is rooted in the Old Testament, especially in prophecy about God’s coming wrath.Robert Walter, who serves on our staff in Brooklyn, New York, is here to discuss this topic. He helps us understand not only what hell is but how Jesus’ sacrifice gives all people the opportunity to avoid hell and enjoy eternal life. This episode addresses:The nature of hell, Hades, and SheolWhat the Hebrew Scriptures say about hellJewish understandings of hell in Jesus’ timeWhether hell is eternalDegrees of punishment in hellReconciling God’s goodness and love with the existence of hell

The apostle Paul said it best: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).As followers of Jesus, we recognize we are born into a war between good and evil. There is a good God who is our Father and an enemy who hates everything God has created and loves.What is spiritual warfare, and why does it exist? On this episode of Our Hope, we dive into this topic with Dr. Daniel Nessim. He is the Chosen People Ministries Branch Leader of Seattle, Washington, and holds a Ph.D. in Theology and Religion from the University of Exeter in England.

From grieving the death of a loved one to pondering our own mortality, death is a defining feature of human experience after sin entered creation. Death is ever-present in the world, but how should we think about it? Many people today view death as a normal, even good, part of the cycle of life. The thought of passing into oblivion may even appeal to some. In this episode, we discuss a biblical view of death. This view includes not only the body’s ceasing to function but also spiritual death—our estrangement from God.Our guest is Joey Benami, a Messianic rabbi in Texas. His areas of academic research include the book of Leviticus, biblical agricultural metaphors, and the study of linguistic and thematic allusions between the Hebrew and Apostolic Scriptures. Together, we ponder questions like:What is death?What does it mean for death to be an “enemy” (1 Corinthians 15:26)?How does Judaism traditionally view death?How does God abolish death through Jesus?

We naturally ponder what it means to be human. The biblical answer begins with this beautiful truth: all human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). This statement is incredibly rich and foundational to God’s work of redemption. Our guest is Rabbi Neal Surasky, who leads a Messianic congregation in Virginia and is pursuing a PhD in Bible Exposition.In this episode, we discuss the topic of the image of God in depth, addressing questions like:In what ways do people bear God’s image?What role has the image of God played in Jewish and Christian ethics?How does sin affect the image of God?

The Holy Spirit is prominent throughout the Bible. In the Hebrew Scriptures, He filled certain individuals for a specific time or task. He indwells followers of Yeshua, making us ever more like Him. The New Testament ascribes several roles to the Spirit, including revealing truth, interceding, and empowering. How do we honor Him in our journeys as followers of the Messiah?In this episode of Our Hope podcast, we speak with Rabbi Stuart Dauermann, who has led a Messianic congregation in southern California for decades. He takes us through the Scriptures, showing us how the Holy Spirit is essential to how God works in the world—and in our lives. Our discussion is sure to help you understand the richness of what the Scripture says about the Holy Spirit and His essential role in our day-to-day spiritual growth.

“Who is Yeshua?” is one of the most important and profound questions a person can ask. The Scriptures, in both Old and New Testaments, affirm He is both God and human. This truth may seem difficult to accept or even grasp, but it is essential to His role as Messiah. Only God incarnate could pay the penalty for humanity’s sin and reconcile us to the Lord.In this episode, we address crucial questions including:Did Yeshua Himself claim to be God?How is Yeshua’s Jewishness theologically significant?Do the Hebrew Scriptures ever suggest the Messiah would be divine?How can one person be both human and God?

God’s triune nature is one of the most puzzling and misunderstood of biblical teachings. Many, especially within the traditional Jewish community, claim this understanding of God is idolatrous and contradicts the Hebrew Scriptures. Others condemn affirming God’s triune nature as just plain absurd.In this week's episode of Our Hope podcast , discover why the Trinity is foundational to who God is and how He is at work in the world. Our special guest is Dr. Richard Averbeck. He is a professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

God uses people with all kinds of different backgrounds, skills, and experiences. Wherever we live and work, He invites us to be part of His mission. We all have a role to play in bringing the good news of eternal life in the Messiah Yeshua to all the world. In this episode, we interview Tom and JoAnn Doyle. They founded Uncharted Ministries, an organization that focuses on making disciples among Jewish and Arab people in the Middle East. We discuss topics including:·     What is a disciple?·     Are we all called to ministry? ·     How can we make disciples among our family and friends? ·     How can we encourage believers who are facing persecution?  

One of the most difficult challenges we face in life is losing someone we love. We all go through grief at some point. This necessary process allows us to express the pain we feel after loss. Healthy grieving helps us come to terms with what happened and move forward in life. This episode, featuring Ellis Goldstein, is a conversation between two people who have experienced bitter loss. They discuss topics including:·     The role of community in grief·     How loss changed their view of God·     How to grieve with hope·     Why it is important to grieve

“How can God be loving and allow suffering?” is one of the most difficult theological questions there is. Though we may not know why we suffer, we do not suffer alone. Yeshua Himself is called “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). When enduring the inevitable trials of life, we are to trust in Him. In this episode, we speak with Carissa Kerstetter and Kim Surasky, who struggle with chronic illness. We discuss questions including:·     How does Yeshua’s suffering give us hope to endure our own suffering?·     Does suffering have any purpose?·     What advice would you give to a family member of someone who is suffering? ·     How does being aware of suffering in Jewish history help us share about the Messiah with Jewish people?

Wondering how God can use the events of your life for His glory? Putting our trust in the Messiah is only one step in our spiritual journey. God is always at work, making us more like His Son, Yeshua. In this episode, we hear from three Messianic Jewish believers. ·     Len Rosenberg grew up in a family where there was a lot of anger. The Messiah taught Him how to forgive. ·     Vanessa Leef came from a Messianic Jewish family. When God called her to make Israel her home, though, she was unsure what to do. ·     As a teenager, Toby Mann got involved with alcohol and drugs. A coworker helped him discover the abundant life that Yeshua offers.

Time and again, Scripture tells us not to be afraid. Fear often stems from a lack of trust in God. Sometimes we need a reminder that the Lord loves us and is in control. Though we will certainly face pain and challenges, we need not give in to fear. We invited Darlene Line to discuss this difficult topic with us. She was a senior special agent for the Department of Homeland Security when 9/11 happened. This tragedy was a turning point that eventually led to her working with Chosen People Ministries. In this episode, we wrestle with questions including:·     What can we learn about fear from the Hebrew Scriptures?·     Is fear sinful?·     Why does the Bible say that we should fear God?·     What are some verses we can ponder when we start to worry? ·     How do we find true peace?

When we put our trust in Yeshua, we become part of the body of Messiah—the global community of people who believe in Jesus. It is also crucial to join a local congregation where we can worship together, study God’s Word, and love one another. Community can also be messy, and conflict is inevitable. To help us navigate conflict in our relationships, we invited back Scott Brown. He has served God’s chosen people in the United States and New Zealand since 1987. We discuss questions including:·   Why is it important for followers of Yeshua to attend a church or messianic congregation?·   What does the nature of God tell us about community? ·   What does Judaism teach about conflict resolution?·  What are some strategies to de-escalate a tense situation? ·   How do we decide what is worth fighting for?

The Bible depicts God in a way that leads to awe and worship. He is the king of the universe who is loving and merciful (Exodus 34:6–7). God is transcendent—yet He chooses to draw near to us. Worship, the natural response to God’s generosity, is central to who we are as human beings. In this episode, we discuss how to worship the Lord passionately, “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Our guest is Yaron Cherniak, a Jerusalem-based musician, composer, and songwriter. He is also part of MIQEDEM, a messianic worship band. In this episode, we address topics including:·     What Judaism teaches about worship·     What worship looks like in Israel·     How to balance performance and worship·     How to cultivate a heart of worship

Prayer is one of the most important aspects of our faith in Messiah—and yet, it is often complicated and misunderstood. The same can be said for fasting, which is arguably the less popular spiritual discipline. If you have ever wondered how we should pray or why we fast, then you will definitely want to hear this episode of Our Hope podcast. We have invited back Fiona Sorbala, who serves God’s chosen people in the United Kingdom. Together, we discuss questions like:·     How did prayer work in the Old Testament? ·     What does Judaism teach about prayer?·     What did Jesus say about fasting? ·     What role does fasting play in Judaism?

The Bible is a book like no other—it tells us who God is, who we are, and how to live. God said, “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). In this episode, we go deep into why and how to study Scripture. We tackle topics including:·     Suggestions for where a new believer in Yeshua can begin reading ·     The role of the Holy Spirit in Bible study·     How to fit Bible reading into everyday life·     How to interpret Scripture ·     The Jewish context of the Bible Our guest is Michael Rydelnik, DMiss. He is the professor of Jewish studies at Moody Bible Institute, host of the Open Line radio show, and editor of the Moody Bible Commentary.

In the New Testament, many people are immersed (or baptized) after putting their trust in Yeshua. This practice today carries much historical baggage, especially for Jewish people, because of the church’s history of forced conversions. Immersion, however, is rooted in Old Testament purification laws. In this episode, we discuss the historical background of immersion and why it is important. We address questions including why Yeshua was baptized, what baptism by the Holy Spirit means, and why immersion is part of the Great Commission. You will also hear the story of one Jewish man who recently chose to be immersed. Our guest is Robert Walter, New York regional director for Chosen People Ministries.