Across the Divide Podcast

Jen has a conversation with Kelley Nikondeha about her book, The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope. They discuss the context of Matthew and Luke’s Advent narratives, which included abusive rulers, systems of oppression, and economic hardship. Kelley shares about how these Advent stories invite Christians to hear “good news” for the poor and downtrodden and live out our faith in continuing generations of hope.

This episode is a part of Across the Divide’s Monthly Book Club. We invite you to read The First Advent in Palestine along with the ATD community and consider joining our virtual Book Club conversation on the book for our Patreon supporters on Sunday, January 4, 2026. To learn more and become a Patreon supporter, visit https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide 

You can purchase the book here, or find an e-book or audiobook version on your preferred platform.

Kelley Nikondeha is a writer, liberation theologian, and community development practitioner. She combines biblical texts and various cultural contexts to discover insights for embodied justice, community engagement, and living faith. She is the author of Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us about Freedom and Adopted: The Sacrament of Belonging in a Fractured World, and is known for highlighting Palestinian voices and rights. She travels between the southwest US and Burundi in East Africa. For more, visit kelleynikondeha.com

Kelley’s new book is Jubilee Economics: The Purpose, Practices and Possibilities for a Better Future

Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

Across 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.

#israel #palestine #christianity #bible #faith #advent #christmas #bookclub

Mindy Summers joins Abeer to share about journey of advocacy and peacemaking. Together, they explore how digital platforms can elevate marginalized voices, challenge harmful theologies, and spark deep personal transformation, especially around Israel-Palestine, immigration, and gender justice. 

Mindy Summers is an advocate and peacemaker. She uses social media as an advocacy platform to share about Palestine, immigration, refugees, women empowerment, anti-trafficking, racism, church abuse, patriarchy, & systemic injustice. Mindy resides in Missouri with her husband & four children and aims to help her neighbors see the hand of God at work in the margins of our societies.

Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

Across 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.

Author and historian Jemar Tisby joins us to discuss the connections that blacks, and especially black Christians, have with the Palestinian struggle for justice and liberation. Jemar explains how the concept of “God of the Oppressed” provides a powerful framework to shape Christian advocacy for both blacks and Palestinians.

Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

Across 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.

#israel #palestine #gaza #christianity #bible #faith #zionism #liberation #justice

Rev. Joash Thomas joins us for a conversation on justice and its relationship to the church. Joash provides helpful insight about the hesitancy of many Christians to think biblically about the justice, and offers some practical steps for individuals and church communities to prioritize justice in their lives and ministries. Much of the conversation is based on Joash’s recent book “The Justice of Jesus.

Born and raised in India, Joash served as a U.S. political consultant and lobbyist before pivoting to global human rights advocacy. Now based in the Toronto area, he holds a master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University and holds two master’s degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary in Christian Leadership and Theology. Through speaking engagements, teaching, and advocacy, Joash calls Christians to a more contemplative yet courageous activism, motivated by the grace-filled, non-violent way of Jesus. For me, see https://www.joashpthomas.com/about

Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

Across 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.

This episode is a part of Across the Divide’s Monthly Book Club. Here Jen has a conversation with John Munayer and Samuel Munayer about their edited volume The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology amid Gaza. They discussed how this book emerged as a communal Palestinian theological project and the unique approaches that the eight contributors took. John and Sam both reflect on the ways that doing Palestinian theology amid genocide in Gaza has impacted their faith, and they consider the profound invitation that this book extends to Palestinian and non-Palestinian Christians who are committed to justice work.

We invite you to read The Cross and the Olive Tree along with the ATD community and consider joining our virtual Book Club conversation on the book for our Patreon supporters on Sunday, November 30, 2025. To learn more and become a Patreon supporter, visit https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide

The Cross and the Olive Tree is edited by John Munayer and Samuel Munayer and includes contributions from Yousef AlKhouri, Marah Sarji, Azmera Hammouri-Davis, Lamma Mansour, Daniel Munayer, Shadia Qubti, John Munayer, and Samuel Munayer. You can purchase the book here through Orbis Books, and see our Patreon page for a limited-time discount code for purchases within the U.S.

John Munayer is a Palestinian theologian from Jerusalem and holds degrees from King’s College London, the University of Edinburgh, and VU University Amsterdam. John is currently involved in interreligious activism and is the founder and editor of the Journal of Palestinian Christianity at the Bethlehem Bible College. He is a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh, researching the political theology of the Palestinian laity in relation to the Holy Fire ceremony.

Samuel Munayer is a Palestinian theologian from Jerusalem and holds degrees from Durham University and Exeter University. Samuel works as an advocacy and access officer for a humanitarian organization that works in Gaza and the West Bank. He recently co-authored with John the article entitled, “Decolonising Palestinian Liberation Theology: New Methods, Sources, and Voices.”

Lisa Loden, Christian Israeli public theologian and poet, joins Daniel for a candid conversation about the October 7th and the ensuing genocide in Gaza. They discuss Lisa’s story as a Messianic Jew and Lisa shares about her thoughts on what’s happened in Gaza and how a theology of suffering and hope can help us move forward.Lisa Loden is a theologian, lecturer, author, teacher, peacemaker, and a poet. In 2014, together with Salim Munayer, she co-authored, Through My Enemies Eyes: Envisioning Reconciliation in Israel and Palestine. Lisa is also a member of several international ecumenical theological dialogues. For more, visit https://www.lisaloden.com/home/aboutPurchase your own copy of “Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza”https://wipfandstock.com/9798385254859/being-christian-after-the-desolation-of-gaza. Use the coupon "DESOLATION40" to get 40% off.Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠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.#israel #palestine #gaza #christianity #bible #faith #zionism

Ben Norquist joins us to discuss how Christianity Today, the flagship Evangelical magazine, has been covering Gaza over the last 2 years. The discussion delves into several publications by CT, including its podcast, that have revealed a problematic and dehumanizing attitude toward Palestinian, one that effectively provided a theological cover for the genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza.

Purchase your own copy of “Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza”

https://wipfandstock.com/9798385254859/being-christian-after-the-desolation-of-gaza. Use the coupon "DESOLATION40" to get 40% off.

Ben Norquist (PhD, Azusa Pacific University) has served as director of grants and academics for Churches for Middle East Peace and as director of the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East where he helped American Christians pursue holistic peace with their neighbors around the world. He is the co-author of a book coming out about justice and the land called Every Somewhere Sacred: Rescuing a Theology of Place in the American Imagination (InterVarsity Academic, 2026).

Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

Across 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.

#israel #palestine #gaza #christianity #bible #faith #zionism

In this episode, Abeer speaks with Kayla Tychsen, Parent Coach and certified Integrative Trauma Coach, about the deep connections between parenting, personal healing, and justice. They explore what it means to re-parent ourselves, unlearn inherited narratives, and raise children with empathy, courage, and critical thinking. Kayla shares insights from her own journey navigating faith and activism, as well as her work supporting families in times of crisis. She offers practical and heartfelt strategies for approaching hard conversations, nurturing resilience, and staying rooted in compassion.

Kayla Tychsen is an Accredited Parent Coach, Certified Integrative Trauma Coach, and TEDx speaker passionate about empowering parents, educators, and caregivers to cultivate confidence, connection, and joy. Kayla has worked with families across the Middle East and around the world, helping parents understand how their past shapes their parenting, live by their values, and build secure, nurturing relationships where children can thrive.

Sign up to join the Palestine solidarity delegation, May 25-June 4th 2026: https://forms.gle/asNkGWXgVB5MRAuZ8

Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠
Across 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.

This episode kicks off Across the Divide’s Monthly Book Club. Here Jen has a conversation with Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac about his book "Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza." They discuss how the book emerged from Isaac’s pastoral work and activism after October 7th. Together they reflect on the theology of a God who dwells amid the rubble in Gaza and Munther’s hope on the impact this book will have on the global Christian church.

We invite you to read Christ in the Rubble along with the ATD community and consider joining our virtual Book Club conversation on the book for our Patreon supporters on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

To learn more and become a Patreon supporter, visit https://www.patreon.com/c/AcrosstheDivide

Sign up to join the Palestine solidarity delegation: https://forms.gle/asNkGWXgVB5MRAuZ8

About the book: “Writing from Bethlehem with close-up knowledge of conditions on the ground, and rooted in a commitment to nonviolence and just peace, Isaac urges readers to recognize that support for Zionism’s genocidal project entails a failure to bring a properly Christian theological criticism to bear upon colonialism, racism, and empire. He calls on Christians to repent of their complicity in the destruction of the Palestinian people. And he challenges them to realign their beliefs and actions with Christ—who can be found not among perpetrators of violence, but with victims buried under the rubble of war.”

You can purchase the book here: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802885548/christ-in-the-rubble/

Rev. Munther Isaac is a Palestinian Christian theologian who serves as pastor of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ramallah. He also directs the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice as well as the highly acclaimed Christ at the Checkpoint conferences. His PhD dissertation at the Oxford Center for Mission Studies was published as From Land to Lands, from Eden to the Renewed Earth: A Christ-Centered Biblical Theology of the Promised Land. He also wrote The Other Side of the Wall: A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Lament and Hope.

Bruce Fisk joins Daniel to discuss his research on the weaponization of the Bible and the usage of the language of moral clarity by many prominent Evangelical and other Christian leaders to justify and sanction Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Get your own copy of “Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza”Sign up to join the Palestine solidarity delegation: https://forms.gle/asNkGWXgVB5MRAuZ8

Bruce Fisk is senior research fellow with the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East and former Professor of New Testament at Westmont College. He has led study programs in Israel/Palestine and is the author of Ascent to Jerusalem: Pilgrimage, Politics and Peacemaking in the Holy Land.

Become a monthly supporter of Across the Divide on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/AcrosstheDivide 

Follow Across the Divide for more on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠

Across 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.