Across the Divide Podcast

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 t...

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 en...

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 root...

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 actio...

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" an...

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 listen...

In this episode of the Faith 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 resis...

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/Acros...

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 Patr...

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, Da...

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 acc...

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 c...

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 fu...

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, cons...

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 pr...

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...

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...

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...

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 Leba...

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 thei...

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...

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 Pal...

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...

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 Zioni...

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...