Across the Divide Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this special episode, Daniel has a conversation with Najib George Awad, a Syrian theologian and historian, about the sudden fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the various challenges facing the Syrian people after this “incomplete revolution”.

For our Patreon supporters, Najib and Daniel discuss Kalam (Muslim theology) and the rich history of Muslim-Christian debate in the Middle Ages. To access this extended conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Najib George Awad is a Syrian-American theologian and historian. He is an associate researcher at the Center for Comparative Theology and Social issues (CTSI) at Bonn University, Germany, and also at the protestant theological faculty at Charles University in the Czech Republic. His publications God without Face? On the Personal Individuation of the Holy Spirit, And Freedom Became a Public-Square: Political, Sociological and Religious Overviews on the Arab Christians and the Arabic Spring, Orthodoxy in Arabic Terms: A Study of Theodore Abū Qurrah’s Trinitarian and Christological Doctrines in an Islamic Context; Umayyad Christianity: John of Damascus as a Contextual Example of Identity-Formation in Early Islam; and After-Mission, Beyond Evangelicalism: The Indigenous ‘Injīliyyūn’ in the Arab-Muslim Context of Syria-Lebanon; and Contemporary Arabic Christian Theology (Regnum, 2024). If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide

Show Notes:

Article by Najib Awad about the three challenges facing Syrians today: The Three Challenges for 'Liberated' Syria

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

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Show Notes:

John Munayer and Samuel Munayer’s article on “Decolonising Palestinian Liberation Theology: New Methods, Sources and Voices”

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 

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Show Notes:

Catholic sign-on letter with signatures: Sign-On Letter from U.S. Catholics on Israel-Palestine

Article on Catholic social teaching and I-P: What should Catholics think about Gaza, Israel and Palestine? Catholic social teaching has answers. | America Magazine

Essay on crossing the border: What’s in a name? Stories of interrogation at the Israeli border

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 

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Who shall we vote for at the upcoming US elections? Trump, Harris, or a third party candidate? How can one vote for the Democratic party while it has been the main sponsor for the war on Gaza? Tyler Huckabee is a Christian writer who cares deeply about Palestine and about peace and justice in the region, and has decided to vote for Kamala Harris. He’s written an article titled Why I’m a Christian for Kamala but not a ‘Christian for Kamala’. Here in this conversation Daniel and Tyler discuss his article and why Tyler decided to vote for Kamala Harris while he has been very critical of the Democratic party. To access the extended cut of this conversation and others, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠.

Tyler Huckabee is a writer living in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and dogs. Read more of his writing at his Substack and every thought that comes into his head on Twitter. 

If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

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Show Notes:

Tyler’s Substack

Why I’m a Christian for Kamala but not a ‘Christian for Kamala’

Other articles by Tyler on Palestine/Israel and Christianity Today:

Kamala Harris Is Failing Her First Big Test

This Is What We Asked For - by Tyler Huckabee - clusterhuck

How Long Will 'Christianity Today' Defend Palestinian Deaths?

Mike Cosper, David French and War Crimes

The Gospel Coalition Confronts "Queers for Palestine"

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

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Show Notes: Here’s the ⁠4-page handout⁠ that Stephen referenced in the interview

In this episode, co-host Abeer engages in a powerful conversation with Alice Kisiya, a Palestinian Christian journalist and fitness trainer. Alice shares her deeply personal journey, focusing on her family’s ongoing battle to reclaim their land in Al-Makhrour, near Bethlehem, after it was seized by Israeli settlers with the support of Israeli forces.

This episode offers a meaningful perspective on activism, as Alice reflects on the emotional and legal challenges her family has faced. We also explore her efforts to foster solidarity across religious and cultural divides, and how her Christian faith continues to inspire her activism in the face of immense adversity.

Join us for an inspiring discussion about resilience, resistance, and the power of peaceful activism as Alice shares her unique perspective on the struggle for justice in Palestine.

If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide

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Show Notes:

For more resources on Al-Makhrour land case, please feel free to visit the following links:

Al Makhrour Toolkit: https://ugc.production.linktr.ee/ce1c264f-e09d-4383-a2fa-192a4336e5c9_Save-Al-Makhrour-ToolKit--English-.pdf

Save Al-Makhrour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savealmakhrour/

Alice’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kisiyaalice?igsh=MTE2MTRwY3IwMjZ5cg==

LinkTree with more resources: https://linktr.ee/savealmakhrour

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

We're exited to launch a new 10-episode limited series on Christian Zionism. Daniel Bannoura is the host of the series and will be having conversations with historians, theologians, and pastors exploring the history, theologies, and political activism of Christian Zionism. Here Daniel unpacks the complicated legacy of Christian Zionism and its harmful ideologies that have played a significant role in impacting the way Christians think about Jewish people and the Palestinians.

If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

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This is the final episode in our Christ at the Checkpoint. It it, co-hosts Daniel and Jen discuss their highlights from the series and answer listener questions. They share more about their journeys as they relate to Christ at the Checkpoint, and they dig into important topics related to Christian Zionism, biblical interpretation, the witness of Palestinian Christians, education in pro-Israel churches, and how we do the work of calling the church to act in response to genocide in Gaza with love. Despite the heavy topics they cover, Jen & Daniel have a lot of fun with this conversation. It's one you don't want to miss!

We also provide an extended cut from this conversation for our Patreon supporters. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠.

If you enjoy our podcast, please consider becoming a Patreon monthly supporter at: https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

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Show Notes:

Daniel's Christ at the Checkpoint talk

A dossier on Israeli Apartheid: A Pressing Call to Churches Around the World

Tent of Nations

Mennonite Action

Christians for a Free Palestine

Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages

Telos

Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East

Daniel's Palestine-Israel Resource doc