Across the Divide Podcast

In this episode of the Touring the Holy Land Series, Jen has a conversation with Jer Swigart on immersive peacebuilding in the context of Israel-Palestine. In this conversation, Jer discusses the complexities of Christian tourism in Israel and Palestine, highlighting its role as a propaganda tool that often neglects the realities of the local communities. He emphasizes the importance of building deep, meaningful relationships with both Israeli and Palestinian kin to foster genuine peacemaking efforts, and how Global Immersion seeks to do this through immersion trips for Christian leaders. Jer shares personal experiences and insights on navigating the challenges of peacemaking, especially in light of recent conflicts. He advocates for local immersion and community engagement as vital components of social transformation, encouraging listeners to connect with marginalized communities in their own cities. In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Jen and Jer chat about the intersections in peacebuilding work across the contexts of the U.S. Deep South, Northern Ireland, and Israel and Palestine. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Dr. Jer Swigart is the Co-Founding Executive Director of Global Immersion, a non-profit training organization and conflict consultancy that forms Everyday Peacemakers and Reconciling Leaders to mend divides. Whether on international battlefields, the divided streets of U.S. American cities, or in organizational and congregational boardrooms, Jer is adept at guiding immersive processes that transform constructed enemies into co-creating allies and forge conflict-competent leaders and teams.He is a North American contributing member of the Reconcilers Together Alliance, a Pepperdine University Cross Sector Leadership Fellow, a Bonhoeffer Senior Fellow at the Hebrew College’s Miller Center of Interreligious Learning and Leadership, and on the Leadership Team of the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East (NEME). He holds an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Global Leadership from George Fox University. He’s the co-author of the award-winning book, Mending the Divides: Creative Love in a Conflict World (IVP, 2017), host of the Mending Divides Podcast, a leadership coach & conflict consultant, and a speaker and writer who regularly reflects on the intersection of faith, leadership, and peacemaking. He and his family live in Spokane, WA.If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.Show Notes:Global ImmersionSwigart and Huckins, Mending the Divides: Creative Love in a Conflicted WorldElizabeth Neumann, Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace

In this episode of Touring the Holy Land, Jen has a conversation with Sara Williams about the power dynamics of narratives surrounding the Holy Land and the emergence of solidarity tourism among American Christians. Sara shares a shift she has observed in her research from traditional pilgrimage models to a focus on witnessing marginalized communities, emphasizing the call to come and see as a transformative experience. Sara and Jen also discuss how liberation theology informs solidarity tourism, and the complex identities and experiences of Palestinians that travelers can encounter. Their conversation explores the transformative potential of these tours, the ethical implications of participants' experiences, and the necessity of acknowledging the multifaceted narratives of marginalized communities. In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Jen and Sara discuss the transformative potential of “Come and See” tours and their invitation for travelers to engage in deeper reflexivity and genuine solidarity within Christian communities.Sara A. Williams is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Fairfield University. Her scholarship examines possibilities for just relationships in contexts marked by asymmetries of power and privilege. Her research on this topic has spanned progressive American Christian Holy Land tourism and gentrifying post-industrial U.S. urban communities. Dr. Williams holds a PhD from Emory University, an MA in Religion from Yale Divinity School, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia.If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.Show Notes:Hillary Kaell, Walking Where Jesus Walked: American Christians and Holy Land PilgrimageSara A. Williams and Roger Baumann, “Journeys to and among the Margins: Transnational Religio-Racial Identity on American Christian Palestinian Solidarity Tours”Sara A. Williams, Moral Commodities and the Practice of Freedom”Sara also recommends Roger Baumann’s book, Black Visions of the Holy Land: African American Christian Engagement with Israel and Palestine

In this episode of the Touring the Holy Land series, Jen has a conversation with Michel Awad on the current state of tourism in Palestine-Israel and the challenges posed by mass pilgrimage tourism, which often disconnects visitors from the local community. Awad emphasizes the crucial role of church leaders in promoting a more balanced and informed approach to pilgrimage, encouraging visitors to engage with local Palestinians. He highlights the work of the Siraj Center in fostering alternative tourism that prioritizes community interaction and peace-building. Through personal stories and transformative experiences, Awad illustrates how tourism can serve as a tool for peace, urging visitors to approach their journeys with open hearts and minds.In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Jen and Michel discuss how church leaders and individuals can engage in pilgrimage experiences centered on justice and cultivating relationships with Palestinian Christian communities. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Michel Awad is the founder and owner of Angels Tours and Travel and the co-founder of Siraj Center where he works as the executive director. He is the President of the Holy Land Tour Operator Association and executive board member of the Network of Palestinian Tourism. Michel was a member of the Steering Committee for the Palestinian Initiative for Responsible Tourism (PIRT). Michel was also a member of the Palestinian Task Force for post-COVID19 Recovery and a member of the Palestinian Tourism Ministry Consultant Council. He was an instructor in Tourism Management in Bethlehem University from 2003 until 2023.Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.Show Notes:Siraj Center- https://www.sirajcenter.org/index.php/en/Michel’s Tour Company, Angel Tours & Travel- https://www.angels-tours.com/  For more on sustainable and culturally resilient Palestinian tourism, see https://hlitoa.com/ 

In this episode of the Touring the Holy Land series, Jen has a conversation with Raphael Greenberg, an Israeli archaeologist focused on the political implications of archaeology in Israel/Palestine. Raphael shares his personal journey into archaeology, highlighting the intersection of science and politics, particularly in the context of Israeli-Palestinian relations. He discusses the colonial roots of archaeology and its entanglement with tourism, emphasizing how narratives are shaped to fit ideological perspectives. The conversation also touches on the City of David, where archaeology is used to support settler politics, raising critical questions about cultural heritage, modern tourism, and the implications for local communities. In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Jen and Raphael discuss the importance of critical awareness for visitors to consider the context and implications of what they see. Raphael also shares about the current realities of conflict in Israel-Palestine, the impact on tourism, and the importance of engaging with local organizations for peace and justice. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Dr. Raphael (Rafi) Greenberg is Professor of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University. His research has focused on the Bronze Age Levant and on the social and political entanglements of archaeology in Israel/Palestine. His most recent book, co-authored with Yannis Hamilakis, is Archaeology, Nation, and Race: Confronting the Past, Decolonizing the Future in Greece and Israel (Cambridge 2022). He also serves on the board of Emek Shaveh, an Israeli nonprofit devoted to heritage justice in Israel-Palestine.  If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.-Neil Asher Silberman, Digging for God & Country-Raphael Greenberg, Archaeology, Nation, and Race: Confronting the Past, Decolonizing the Future in Greece and Israel-Emek Shaveh-Rabbis for Human Rights

In episode 2 of the Touring the Holy Land series, Jen talks with historian Stephanie Stidham Rogers about the history of Protestant pilgrimage in Palestine. They discuss the historical context and cultural influences in the 19th century that shaped the phenomenon of Western Christian tourism in Palestine. Stephanie explains how American Protestants viewed the Holy Land as a "frontier" and the role that Orientalism played in shaping their understanding of the land of the Bible and the people who inhabited it.In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Jen and Stephanie discuss more of Stephanie's own journey and the marginalization of research on the Holy Land in the early 2000s . To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with ⁠Peace Catalyst International⁠ to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.You can learn more and register for the March gathering hosted by Telos at telosgroup.org/gathering2025Stephanie Stidham Rogers is an author, independent scholar, humanities expert, and semi-retired University Professor. She resides in both Seattle and Tampa with her husband and family. Stephanie's Published Books:-Inventing the Holy Land : American Protestant pilgrimage to Palestine, 1865-1941 - ⁠https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780739148426/Inventing-the-Holy-Land-American-Protestant-Pilgrimage-to-Palestine-1865%E2%80%931941⁠ -Suffragist Migration West after Seneca Falls, 1848–1871 - ⁠https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B004AO9MNS⁠

In this episode, Jen kicks off the "Touring the Holy Land" series by telling some important stories that are entangled in Holy Land tourism. She takes us back to the dawn of Christian pilgrimage to Palestine in the 4th century CE, and highlights some of the dominant narratives in the American Christian Holy Land tourism industry today. This episode features quotes from some of our listeners who have traveled to Palestine-Israel, and more of their stories will be woven throughout the series.Stay tuned in to the series as we explore the history of Christian tourism in the Holy Land , the role of biblical archaeology, the ways that tourism is shaped by Christian Zionism and the occupation, and the Palestinian and Israeli-led movement of alternative tourism.If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.You can learn more and register for the March gathering hosted by Telos at telosgroup.org/gathering2025

This episode is a live-recorded conversation that Across the Divide held as an event for the local community in Cincinnati, OH on May 29, 2025. The conversation explores the intersections between faith and activism across religious traditions. In it, Jen has a conversation with three local faith leaders and activists–Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. Because this episode was recorded during a live event, the audio and video quality may vary from our typical episodes.It was a joy to collaborate with the Cincinnati Palestine Solidarity Coalition on this event, a local Cincinnati-based coalition that comes together in solidarity with the struggle for justice, liberation and self-determination of Palestinian and all oppressed people in the world. Special thanks to Mike Madanat and Kristen Annette for helping envision and coordinate this conversation. We are very grateful to the Church of the Advent in Walnut Hills, a curious and creative Episcopal community, for hosting this event. A very special thanks to Megan Suttman and Jacob Taylor for making all of this happen.The recorded Q&A with the panelists from this conversation is available as a bonus clip for our Patreon supporters. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. The speakers you hear from in this episode are:Rev. Abby is a Presbyterian pastor who has mostly served outside traditional congregations and has mostly worked for Catholic organizations... mostly in Cincinnati. Moshe is a community organizer from Cincinnati  and a co-founder and prayer leader for Shema Cincinnati,  a pluralistic community of Jews who are working to develop community, religious practice, and political action beyond Zionism, in service to a Judaism rooted in solidarity, compassion, and liberation.Lena is a Palestinian American health education specialist and co-founder of SILA, a streetwear brand that celebrates identity, resistance, and connection. She was born in the US and raised in Palestine, and is a member of the Cincinnati Palestine Solidarity Coalition.Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.Show Notes:https://linktr.ee/cincypalestinesolidarity https://www.adventcincy.org/https://linktr.ee/ShemaCincinnati https://silamovement.com/collections/for-palestine

In this episode of the Faith and Activism series, Abeer engages in a conversation with Rev. Dr. Sari Ateek to explore how theology, identity, and justice intersect in the life of a Palestinian Christian leader. They discuss Sari’s journey from Israel/Palestine to leading St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church in Maryland, his commitment to inclusivity and radical generosity, and why he believes the true Christian message calls for the liberation of Palestinians.Together, they reflect on the challenge of holding onto faith in a polarized world—and the spiritual responsibility to pursue justice not from a place of partisanship, but from a deep conviction that God is always on the side of the oppressed.Rev. Dr. Sari Ateek is a Palestinian Christian pastor and the rector of St. John’s Norwood Episcopal Church in Maryland. Born and raised in Israel/Palestine, and the son of an Episcopal priest, Sari brings a rich depth of experience to his ministry. His leadership is marked by a commitment to inclusivity, justice, and spiritual generosity. He holds a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary.If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.Show Notes: St. John's Norwood Episcopal Church: https://stjohnsnorwood.org/Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center: https://sabeel.org/visit-sabeel/A Palestinian Theology of Liberation Book: https://www.amazon.com/Palestinian-Theology-Liberation-Palestine-Israel-Conflict/dp/1626982600

In this episode of the Faith and Activism series, Abeer has a conversation with Rev. Amy Graham about the transformative power of faith in driving justice and activism. They discuss Amy’s journey from West Virginia to co-founding The District Church in Washington, DC, and how her experiences in social work, pastoral ministry, and advocacy have shaped her understanding of the Gospel’s call to action. The conversation also highlights the role of faith communities in healing and advocacy, particularly in the context of Palestine, and the Church’s role in supporting justice and liberation for oppressed communities.In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Abeer and Rev. Amy Graham discuss the unique challenges faced by women in leadership roles within faith-based spaces. Amy offers advice on navigating the balance between pastoral leadership, activism, and personal growth, while fostering courage and perseverance in the face of doubt and fatigue. To access this extended conversation and others, consider supporting us on Patreon⁠⁠. Rev. Amy Graham is one of the founding pastors of The District Church in Washington, DC. After receiving her Masters in Theological Studies from Golden Gate Seminary and her Masters in Social Work from Boston University, Amy has devoted her life to bringing the love and peace of Christ to desperate and dark places. She has worked as a pastor, counselor, social worker, and advocate for those in bondage to sin and those affected by the injustices of our world. From her trips leading groups to Israel/Palestine, the relationships that she has built, and the partnerships The District Church holds with those in the Holy Land, Amy has felt a particular call and burden to speak the truth in love on behalf of those suffering as a result of the genocide of the Palestinian people. Through her role as pastor, she has sought to support, encourage, and empower the voices of those living in the land.Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners with Peace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.Show Notes:https://districtchurch.org/

In this episode of theFaith and Activism series, Abeer has a conversation with Amir Toumie about the enduring struggle to reclaim Iqrit—a small Christian village whose residents were forcibly displaced in 1948. They discuss the legal and social fight for the right of return, the unique role of faith in sustaining the community’s hope, and how Iqrit has become a powerful symbol of nonviolent resistance, rooted in spiritual and cultural identity.In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Abeer and Amir delve into the unseen sacrifices and emotional costs of activism for Iqrit. They explore the personal and communal impact of this long-standing pursuit of justice and how faith continues to anchor the fight for dignity and return. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠.Amir Toumieis a political and social activist for Palestinian liberation and rights in both the Palestinian communities in 48’ and Chicago. He worked as the Director of Government Relations at the Mossawa Center - The Advocacy Center for the Rights of Palestinian Citizens in Israel. As an activist, Amir co-founded and served as president of the Haifa Youth Movement and is a member of the youth movement in his displaced Palestinian village of Iqrit. While engaging in activism in multiple fields, he has earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Asian Studies from the University of Haifa and a dual Master's Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Haifa and the University of Warsaw. Amir is now a 5th-year PhD candidate in Political Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and a board member of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at UIC.If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at:https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Show Notes:https://www.zochrot.org/villages/village_details/48985/en?IqritIf you are interested to help Iqrit, or learn more, you can contact Amir at:amirtoumie@gmail.comInstagram: hrh_amirtoumie

In the episode of the Faith and Activism series, Abeer speaks with Dr. Beth Seversen about her research on Palestinian Christians young adults navigating discrimination and their resilience and sumud.In the extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Beth also shares more about cultural sensitivity in activism.To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠.Beth holds a PhD in Intercultural Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She has served as Associate Professor of Youth and Christian Ministries at North Park University and Director of Evangelism for the Evangelical Covenant Church. Currently, she serves on the Board of the American Society of Missiology and as Vice President and Associate Editor of the Great Commission Research Network and Journal. She is the author of Not Done Yet: Reaching and Keeping Unchurched Emerging Adults.If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at:https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivideFollow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Across the Divide partners withPeace Catalyst International to amplify the pursuit of peace and explore the vital intersection of Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel.Show Notes: Beth’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Not-Done-Yet-Reaching-Unchurched/dp/0830841571Beth’s Publications:https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZJtnGnoAAAAJ&hl=enYou can learn more and register for the March gathering hosted by Telos at telosgroup.org/gathering2025

For the series finale, Jen Maidrand joins Daniel Bannoura for a live recording where they discuss the series and answer questions from the audience. Apologies for some of the technical difficulties. This was our first livestream, but we'll make sure this won't happen in future streams. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide⁠  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

In the penultimate episode of our Christian Zionism series, rabbi Brant Rosen discusses his journey out of Jewish Zionism and his thoughts about the war in Gaza. For the rest of the conversation rabbi Rosen discusses Christian Zionism and the harms that he, as a Jewish person and a rabbi, sees in this sort of problematic and harmful Christian support for Jews and Israel. For Patreon supporters, Daniel and rabbi Brant discuss antisemitism and how it has been weaponized to silence and vilify any critique of the actions of the state of Israel at the expense of Palestinians suffering under occupation. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Rabbi Brant is a reconstructionist Jew and the rabbi of Tzedek Chicago synagogue in Chicago. He is a vocal activist for justice and human rights, particularly in Israel/Palestine. After publicly wrestling with his relationship to Israel and openly questioning his lifelong Zionism, he eventually became a prominent Jewish presence in the Palestine solidarity movement and co-founded the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council. He has also written numerous essays on antisemitism, Zionism and “reclaiming Judaism from Zionism”, as well as a number of poems about Gaza and the situation in Palestine/Israel. Rabbi Brant Rosen's writings have appeared in many journals and publications, including Newsweek, the Chicago Tribune, the Jewish Forward, Tikkun and Truthout. He is also the author of the popular Jewish social justice blog, Shalom Rav; his curated collection of blog posts and reader comments, Wrestling in the Daylight: A Rabbi’s Path to Palestinian Solidarity was published by Just World Books in 2012 (updated in 2017).  Rabbi Brant has contributed essays to a number of anthologies including "Zionism and the Quest for Peace in the Holy Land," "On Antisemitism: Solidarity and the Struggle for Justice," and "Reclaiming Judaism from Zionism: Stories of Personal Transformation." He is also a prolific poet and liturgist whose prayers and poems can be found on his blog Yedid Nefesh. In 2018, Tzedek Chicago published his chapbook of prayers, "Songs After the Revolution: New Jewish Liturgy." If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Poems read in the episode: El Male Rachamim for Gaza For Gaza: Psalm 126

We continue our series Christian Zionism, and here Daniel has a conversation with Palestinian theologian John Munayer about the impact of Christian Zionism on Palestinians themselves. John shares about his first encounters with Christian Zionism and how it has also infiltrated into the Palestinian society, particularly through some Palestinian Evangelical pastors and churches.  In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, John shares about his research on Holy Saturday and how he relates this religious practice to the social and political experience of Palestinians. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. John Munayer is a Palestinian theologian from Jerusalem. He is currently pursuing his PhD at the University of Edinburgh and writing about Palestinian theology. John is also managing the academic journal of Palestinian Christianity at the Bethlehem Bible College, which publishes in both Arabic and English. In addition, John is involved in interreligious efforts to promote justice and reconciliation in the Holy Land. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: John Munayer and Samuel Munayer’s article on “Decolonising Palestinian Liberation Theology: New Methods, Sources and Voices”

In this conversation, episode seven of the Christian Zionism series, Daniel talks with scholar Brooke Baker about contemporary discursive shifts in Christian Zionism. In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Daniel and Brooke discuss the role that Christian Zionism has played in the last year of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Brooke Baker is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in Islamic Studies at UCLA. Her research interests include Christian-Muslim relations, Islam in the West, and discursive trends surrounding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially as they relate to narrative, identity, and Christian Zionism. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: Naim Ateek, Justice and Only Justice With God on Our Side (documentary) Little Town of Bethlehem (documentary)

In episode 5 of our series on Christian Zionism, Daniel Bannoura has a conversation Don Wagner about his journey out of Christian Zionism. Don explains the two kinds of zionisms that he has encountered in his work and discusses theological and biblical critiques of Christian Zionism, primarily through the lenses of settler colonialism and liberation theology. In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Don offers pastoral advice to Christians who feel isolated in how to respond this moment we’re in. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠.  Rev. Dr. Don Wagner recently retired as the National Program Director for Friends of Sabeel–North America.  He was a Professor of Middle East Studies and Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at North Park University in Chicago.  He has written several books on Palestinian human rights, Christians in the Middle East, and Christian Zionism, and most recently his memoirs in 2022 “Glory to God in the Lowest: Journeys to an Unholy Land” If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: To register and learn more about the NEME Forum, see ⁠https://www.neme.network/forum Christmas Sermon by Rev. Munther Isaac Christianzionism.org

In this episode, Daniel has a conversation with educator and New Testament scholar Gary Burge. They unpack the theology of Christian Zionism and the misinterpretation and misuse of the Bible as it relates to the land of Palestine-Israel. Throughout their conversation, they take a close look at biblical stories that present theologies of the land, both in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament. In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Daniel and Gary discuss rapture theology and unpack some of the biblical passages that have been interpreted to shape what have become harmful understandings of "the end times." To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Gary Burge is originally from Southern California and was an undergraduate at the University of California, Riverside, and The American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He attended Fuller Theological Seminary and King’s College, The University of Aberdeen, Scotland. In Scotland he studied with I. Howard Marshall earning a Ph.D. in New Testament. He has served on the faculties of King College (Tennessee), North Park University (Illinois), Wheaton College (Illinois), and currently teaches at Calvin Theological Seminary (Michigan). Gary speaks widely in churches and conferences both in the United States and in various countries. He has traveled extensively, particularly in the Middle East. He is ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA, and served as a military chaplain (USNR). For over 15 years he was a regular teacher at Willow Creek Community Church in S. Barrington, IL. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes Whose Land? Whose Promise? What Christians Are Not Being Told about Israel and the Palestinians, Gary Burge Jesus and the Land: The New Testament Challenge to "Holy Land" Theology, Gary Burge

In episode 3 of our series on Christian Zionism, Daniel Bannoura has a conversation with Daniel Hummel about the history of dispensationalism, its waning influence over Christian Zionism, and the general contours of theological developments and political activism of Christian Zionism since 1948 and until today.  For our Patreon supporters they have an extended conversation about the absence of Palestinians and Palestinian Christians in the thinking and activism of Christian Zionists.To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider supporting us on Patreon.  Daniel G. Hummel is the director of The Lumen Center in Madison, WI and a research fellow in the History Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the author of two books Covenant Brothers: Evangelicals, Jews, and U.S.-Israeli Relations and most recently The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle Over the End Times Shaped a Nation. Learn more about Dan here. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

In the second episode of our series on Christian Zionism, Daniel Bannoura has a conversation with Rev. Stephen Sizer about the history of dispensationalism and the rise of Christian Zionism in England in the 19th and 20th century and the role they played in shaping British and American attitudes toward the Jewish people and Israel. Stephen also shares some theological insights about the ways Zionist Christians misappropriate the biblical text about the land and people to support their Zionist interpretations. In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Daniel and Stephen try to explain how Christian Zionism is a main driving force for the Christian support for Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider supporting us on Patreon.  Rev. Dr. Stephen Sizer is the founder and director of Peacemaker Trust, a charity dedicated to peacemaking, especially where minorities are persecuted, justice is denied, human rights are suppressed, or reconciliation is needed. He served for 35 years as an Anglican priest, and is coordinator for the 2024 Sabeel International Conference on Religious Extremism, and is also a member of the Kairos for Global Justice Theology Group.  He is the author of three books, In the Footsteps of Jesus and the Apostles, Christian Zionism: Roadmap to Armageddon and Zion’s Christian Soldiers: The Bible, Israel and the Church. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: Here’s the ⁠4-page handout⁠ that Stephen referenced in the interview

In the inaugural episode of our series on Christian Zionism, Daniel Bannoura has a conversation with Robert O. Smith about the roots of Christian Zionism. Robert traces it back to the Reformation in the 16th century and explores its expansion throughout Europe, Britain, and the United States.  In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Daniel and Robert explore the relevance of this history of Christian Zionism to us today and how much that history repeats itself today. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider supporting us on Patreon.  Robert O. Smith is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and assistant professor of history at the University of North Texas, and an advisor on Jerusalem affairs to the Royal Court of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He is also the author of the book More Desired than Our Owne Salvation: The Roots of Christian Zionism. If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: More Desired than Our Owne Salvation: The Roots of Christian Zionism, Robert O. Smith Toward a Jewish Theology of Liberation, Marc Ellis