Across the Divide

Across the Divide Podcast

Across the Divide explores the intersection of the Christian faith and social justice in Palestine-Israel and its relationship to the church in the West. The podcast is hosted and produced by a group of Palestinian and American Christians, and seeks to provide a space for thoughtful and critical conversations that reflect on the situation in Palestine-Israel through the lens of Christian faith, theology, and the Bible. read less
Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality
ChristianityChristianity

Episodes

US Elections & Gaza: Voting in the Midst of a Genocide
09-10-2024
US Elections & Gaza: Voting in the Midst of a Genocide
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  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ 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"
History and Theology of Christian Zionism with Stephen Sizer
01-10-2024
History and Theology of Christian Zionism with Stephen Sizer
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
Defending Al-Makhrour: A Story of Faith, Land, and Resistance
24-09-2024
Defending Al-Makhrour: A Story of Faith, Land, and Resistance
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 Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ 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
CATC #7 Anton Deik: Missiology After Gaza
09-08-2024
CATC #7 Anton Deik: Missiology After Gaza
This episode in our Christ at the Checkpoint Series features Anton Deik, a Palestinian biblical scholar from Bethlehem. At CATC he gave a presentation titled “Missiology After Gaza: Christian Zionism, God’s Image, and the Gospel." In this episode, clips from his presentation are interwoven with his conversation with Daniel about Christian Zionist support for Israel and how it negatively harms the witness and mission of the church. We also provide an extended interview from this conversation for our Patreon supporters. To access this extended conversation and previous ones, consider ⁠supporting us on Patreon⁠. Anton Deik is a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem, and is a member of the networking team and board of directors of the International Fellowship for Mission as Transformation, lecturer in Biblical Studies with Bethlehem Bible College, and research associate with the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence in the United Kingdom. He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Aberdeen where he researches biblical and Graeco-Roman conceptions of justice. 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: Previous Across the Divide episode with Anton: "Social Justice and Evangelism" "A Call for Repentance" Daniel Bannoura's Christ at the Checkpoint talk "American Christians Should Stand with Israel Under Attack," Russell Moore
CATC #6 René August: Decolonizing the Ways We Read the Bible
03-08-2024
CATC #6 René August: Decolonizing the Ways We Read the Bible
This episode in our Christ at the Checkpoint Series features René August, South African priest, leader, and activist. At CATC she gave a presentation titled “Decolonizing the Ways We Read the Bible." In this episode, clips from her presentation are interwoven with her conversation with Jen about God's movement of power in Scripture and tools for reading the Bible with a decolonizing hermeneutic. They also explore liberative ways of reading the Bible in relation to justice work in Palestine. Reverend René August is strategist, thought leader, disciple maker, speaker, author, co-conspirator, trainer, reconciler and friend. She grew up in Cape Town “under apartheid, in a Christian family, with brown skin”. She’s spent her life developing a love of scripture, exploring power and privilege, learning from others, and wrestling with the questions that arise along the way. In a world crammed with diverse perspectives, where certain voices are amplified and others silenced, René extends a gracious invitation to consider the lenses through which we’re looking at scripture – and each other. 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  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠
CATC #3 Shane Claiborne: Good Trouble on Good Friday
12-07-2024
CATC #3 Shane Claiborne: Good Trouble on Good Friday
This episode in our Christ at the Checkpoint series features Shane Claiborne, renowned Christian activist and author. At CATC he gave a presentation titled “Good Trouble on Good Friday." In this episode, clips from his presentation are interwoven with his conversation with Jen about taking our faith to the streets and resisting violence with love. Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author.  Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He heads up Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living "as if Jesus meant the things he said." Shane is a champion for grace which has led him to jail advocating for the homeless, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan to stand against war. Now grace fuels his passion to end the death penalty and help stop gun violence. Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, Common Prayer, Follow Me to Freedom, Jesus, Bombs and Ice Cream, Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers, Executing Grace, his classic The Irresistible Revolution, Beating Guns, and his newest book, Rethinking Life. He has been featured in a number of films and news outlets, and In 2023, Shane received the prestigious The King Center's Beloved Community Award for Social Justice from Dr. Bernice King (daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King). Shane speaks regularly at denominational gatherings, festivals, and conferences around the globe.  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  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠ Show Notes: Learn more about Shane’s work at: www.shaneclaiborne.com  Common Prayer, Shane Claiborne The Prophetic Imagination, Walter Bruegemann The Other Side of the Wall, Munther Isaac “Good Trouble on Good Friday,” Shane Claiborne (Good Friday demonstration at Lockheed Martin) Sharing Communion at the U.S.-Mexico border wallTent of Nations (Palestinian Christian peacebuilding organization)
CATC #2 Ruth Padilla DeBorst: The Mission of the Church in Contexts of Oppression
06-07-2024
CATC #2 Ruth Padilla DeBorst: The Mission of the Church in Contexts of Oppression
The second episode in this special Christ at the Checkpoint series features Ruth Padilla DeBorst, Latin American theologian and teacher. At CATC she gave a presentation titled “The Mission of the Church in Contexts of Oppression." In this episode we play clips from her presentation, and Daniel asks a few questions about some of the key issues she addresses in her talk. Ruth Padilla DeBorst is a theologian, missiologist, educator, and story-teller, Ruth Padilla DeBorst has been involved in theological formation for integral mission in her native Latin America and beyond for several decades. She teaches at Western Theological Seminary. Along with her husband, James, she lives in Costa Rica as a member of Casa Adobe, an intentional Christian Community with deep concern for right living in relation to the whole of creation. Her studies include a Bachelors in Education (Argentina), an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies (Wheaton College), and a PhD in Theology (Boston University). We also provide an exclusive 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  Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠
15. Faith and Reconciliation in the Context of Palestine
17-05-2024
15. Faith and Reconciliation in the Context of Palestine
In this episode, co-host Abeer has a conversation with Courtney Reeve, a Canadian doctoral student at Durham University, UK, currently residing in the Occupied West Bank to conduct her research with Musalaha, a faith-based organization. They explore a range of topics, including Courtney's firsthand experiences during and after October 7th, her deep insights into the trauma faced by Palestinians, and pathways to reconciliation in Palestine rooted in faith and biblical context. They delve into her pivotal research, "Divine Encounters Amidst War and Occupation: An Immersive Theological Ethnography of Reconciliation Practice at Musalaha," and discuss her impactful work with the organization. Additionally, Abeer and Courtney examine the influential role of film and cinema as educational tools about the ongoing situation in Palestine. This episode offers a unique personal perspective that resonates deeply with the challenges and hopes of those on the ground. Don’t miss this compelling and insightful discussion that shines a light on personal stories and professional studies in the quest for understanding and peace. Courtney Reeve has been living in Bethlehem (Beit Jala and now Beit Sahour) for almost two years. After meeting the founder of faith-based reconciliation organisation, Musalaha, in 2011 and maintaining contact throughout the years, Courtney chose to move to the Occupied West Bank to conduct her doctoral research from Durham University in the United Kingdom. With previous work as an Assistant Pastor at a Toronto-based church, Courtney is interested in the formational of people who choose the work of reconciliation across the fraught context of normalisation and 'over-politicisation.' Courtney is Canadian but has spent many years living abroad including Indonesia, the US, England, and now Palestine. She loves talking theology as much as she loves talking about film and cinema! 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: https://musalaha.org/