Across the Divide Podcast

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 episode, our three hosts–Abeer, Daniel, and Jen–get together to reflect on one year of podcasting and their experiences as it relates to Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and the ongoing occupation violence throughout Palestine-Israel. They also discuss the meaning of Christmas and its potential to call the church to justice in a time of war, occupation, and violence. This is a serious and fun conversation that gets into everything Christmas from consumerism, to the biblical Christmas story, to cheesy holiday greeting cards.In the extended episode, the hosts are joined by Saleem, Across the Divide’s producer, and together they answer a fun round of questions about the Christmas season and themselves. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. 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:The Star Bazaar (the Bethlehem Bible College Gift Shop)Sermon by Jacob Taylor, Advent II (December 8, 2024 at Church of the Advent )

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 this conversation, Daniel chats with Julie Schumacher Cohen about Catholic peacemaking work in Palestine-Israel. Julie shares about her Israeli Jewish family and the impact that visiting Palestine has had on her identity and faith.  She also discusses how her Catholic faith influences the way she advocates for peace and justice through her work at Churches for Middle East Peace. See also our previous conversation with Jordan Denari Duffner, who co-authored an important article with Julie on Catholic Social Teaching in relation to Palestine-Israel.In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Daniel and Julie discuss President Biden's commitment to Zionism. To access this extended conversation and others, consider⁠ ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠⁠. Julie Schumacher Cohen is a member of the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace, having previously served as its deputy director. Julie is also assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at the University of Scranton, a Jesuit and Catholic university, where she chairs its community-based learning board, leads its political dialogue initiative, and collaborates with local partners on economic justice, refugee solidarity, and other civic engagement projects.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:Article on Catholic Social Teaching co-authored with Jordan Denari Duffner:https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/06/20/catholic-social-teaching-israel-palestine-conflict-248191Article by Julie about Biden’s lack of empathy towards the Palestinians:https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2024/01/25/biden-empathy-palestinians-israel-hamas-247021Article by Julie about  Fr. Ignacio Ellacuría and the role of Jesuit higher ed in this time of great turmoil in Gaza and Israel-Palestine:https://conversationsmagazine.org/gaza-and-israel-palestine-the-role-of-jesuit-higher-education-in-a-time-of-turmoil-810e1ab89001

In Daniel's conversation with Crystal Silva-McCormick, they discuss the spread of CZ throughout Latin America and the Global South. Crystal helps us make sense of the reasons for that interest and expansion in poor environments, and how the prosperity gospel often goes hand in hand with Christian Zionism. They then discuss how Latina/o theology and local expressions of faith in Latin American can give us some insights about the ways we can respond to Christian Zionism. In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Daniel and Crystal discuss her work through Christians for a Free Palestine. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Rev. Dr. Crystal Silva-McCormick is Visiting Assistant Professor of Evangelism and Mission at Austin Presbyterian Seminary. Her teaching focuses on the intersection of Christianity with imperialism and colonialism, particularly as it relates to Euro-American Christian missions. She also researches, which is a main topic of our conversation here, the growing influence of Christian Zionism in Christian communities in Latin America, and especially Guatemala. 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: Prosperity Gospel Latinos and Their American Dream, Tony Tian-Ren Lin https://christiansforafreepalestine.com/

In this episode of Across the Divide, co-host Abeer has a conversation with Dr. Ben Norquist about the pivotal role of higher education in empowering communities within conflict zones, particularly in the Palestinian territories. They discuss how education acts as both resilience and resistance in these high-pressure environments, and explore Ben’s involvement with academic initiatives that bridge cultural and political divides.In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Abeer and Ben delve into the themes of Ben's upcoming book, which examines the narratives American Christians hold about land and their impact on social and environmental policies. To access this extended conversation and others, consider supporting us on Patreon.Dr. Ben Norquist is a scholar and director at the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East and has worked extensively with Churches for Middle East Peace. His research focuses on higher education in conflict zones, particularly within the Palestinian context, exploring the interplay between education and empowerment. Ben is also preparing to publish his book, Every Somewhere Sacred, which discusses the relationship between American Christians and their cultural ties to land, aiming to challenge and inspire new perspectives on justice and environmental stewardship.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 ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠Show Notes:To register and learn more about the NEME forum, please visit https://www.neme.network/forum. We at Across the Divide will be there and excited to meet you!Ben’s website: https://www.bennorquist.org/Consider supporting NEME’s mission: https://www.neme.network/donate

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 special episode, we turn our attention north of Palestine/Israel and reflect on what’s happening in Lebanon. Here Daniel Bannoura has a conversation with Marwan Aboul-Zelof, the pastor of City Bible Church in Beirut, Lebanon. Daniel and Marwan discuss the complicated history of Lebanon, its various religious communities, and Hezbollah. Marwan also shares about the current situation in Lebanon and how he has been trying to lead his congregation through this ongoing war. And for our Patreon supporters, Marwan shares with us some of his thoughts about American exceptionalism and the complicity of the American church with what’s currently happening in Gaza and Lebanon. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Marwan Aboul-Zelof is the planting pastor of City Bible Church, an English-speaking church in Beirut, Lebanon. He and his wife, Marci, have been living in the Middle East since 2014. They have two young sons, Noah and Shaya.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:To register and learn more about the NEME Forum, see https://www.neme.network/forumThe Furnace of the Lord, Elisabeth Elliot Israeli attacks on Lebanon in maps and charts: Live trackerMarwan’s discussion on Zionism and American Exceptionalism on his Instagram page.

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 this episode, Daniel engages in a conversation with Jordan Denari Duffner, a Catholic public theologian, author, and educator. They discuss the work Duffner has been doing since October 7, including a sign-on letter she co-authored from U.S. Catholics on Israel-Palestine. They also delve into another article she co-authored to help Catholics better understand the situation in Gaza, Israel, and Palestine. A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to Catholic Social Teaching. In their extended conversation for our Patreon supporters, Jordan discusses some of her research on islamophobia and the role it plays in impacting the way people in the West think about Palestine. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Jordan Denari Duffner specializes in Muslim-Christian relations, interreligious dialogue, and Islamophobia. She holds a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from Georgetown University and serves on the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace, which advocates for justice for all in Israel-Palestine. She has written two books, Finding Jesus among Muslims: How Loving Islam Makes Me a Better Catholic (2017) and Islamophobia: What Christians Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination (2021). In 2023, she was also appointed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to the National Catholic-Muslim Dialogue. You can find her writing at her Substack publication, Digging Our Well, follow her on social media, and contact her via JordanDenari.com.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:Catholic sign-on letter with signatures: Sign-On Letter from U.S. Catholics on Israel-PalestineArticle on Catholic social teaching and I-P: What should Catholics think about Gaza, Israel and Palestine? Catholic social teaching has answers. | America MagazineEssay on crossing the border: What’s in a name? Stories of interrogation at the Israeli border