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How does a Christian from the hills of Tennessee end up building one of the most respected Christian service organizations in Israel?

In this episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with Tommy Waller, founder of HaYovel, to discuss the remarkable story of how a family from rural Tennessee became deeply involved in serving Israeli farmers and building relationships with the Jewish people in Israel and around the world.

For years, Tommy, his wife Sherri, and the Waller family have mobilized thousands of Christians from around the world to volunteer in Israel through vineyard work, agricultural service, and practical acts of friendship. But this conversation is about much more than farming. It is about trust, reconciliation, and what it looks like for Christians to build meaningful relationships with Jewish people.

Tommy shares the origin story of HaYovel, the challenges of earning trust in Israel, the growth of the organization, and the impact of October 7th on both his family and the work they have devoted their lives to. He also reflects on the role of the Waller family in this mission, the next generation’s involvement through projects such as Israel Lighthouse for the Nations and The Israel Guys, and the lessons he has learned from decades of relationship-building.

The conversation concludes with Tommy’s thoughts on rising antisemitism, growing hostility toward Israel, practical ways Christians can become bridge-builders in their own communities, and the reasons he remains hopeful about the future of Jewish-Christian relationships.

Whether you are passionate about Israel, interested in Jewish-Christian relations, or simply looking for an inspiring story of faithfulness and service, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about HaYovel: https://www.hayovel.com

Learn more about The Israel Guys: https://theisraelguys.com/

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

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In this special episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert provides an important update on the Olive Tree Campaign and explains why Christians urgently need a clearer theological language regarding Israel, Judaism, and the Jewish people.

Many Christians today genuinely want to stand against antisemitism and replacement theology. They want to express solidarity with the Jewish people in ways that are biblically grounded, thoughtful, and constructive. But when it comes time to explain why that relationship matters theologically, many realize they lack the vocabulary to do so.

That lack of language has consequences.

Too often, inherited assumptions about Judaism being obsolete, inferior, or merely a stepping stone to Christianity continue to shape sermons, classrooms, and Christian culture without being carefully examined. In this episode, Ryan explains how the Olive Tree Campaign seeks to address that problem through the Olive Tree Affirmations, educational resources, and the growing Olive Tree Network.

Rooted in the Apostle Paul’s Olive Tree imagery in Romans 11, the Olive Tree Campaign invites Christians to recover a posture of humility, gratitude, and covenantal clarity regarding the Jewish people and Judaism.

This episode also includes:
• An overview of the Olive Tree Affirmations
• Why “zero-sum” theology has damaged Jewish-Christian relationships
• How replacement theology still influences the church today
• Updates on the Olive Tree book, course, and network
• Ways to get involved and support the campaign

To learn more, download the free Olive Tree Affirmations PDF, join the Olive Tree Network, or support the campaign, visit:
https://bridgebuildersforum.com/olivetree

Sign up for the Bridge Builders Forum Email Newsletter - https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/

Make a tax-deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum at https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/donate

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 2 of this conversation, Ryan Lambert continues his discussion with New Testament scholar Dr. Anders Runesson about his book Judaism for Gentiles.

Building on Part 1, this episode explores some of the biggest questions surrounding Paul, the early Jesus movement, and the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.

Together, Ryan and Anders discuss:
• Paul’s “rule in all the ekklesiai” and whether it represents a central feature of Paul’s mission and message
• The difference between the “joining of the ways” and the more familiar “parting of the ways” model
• Whether Paul intended to create separation between Jews and Gentiles
• How Paul’s writings were later received as Judaism and Christianity developed into distinct identities
• Whether the hostility that eventually emerged between Jews and Christians was inevitable
• The broader implications of the Paul within Judaism perspective for modern Jewish-Christian relations

This conversation not only explores the historical Paul, but also asks what it might look like to read the New Testament in a way that encourages healthier relationships between Jews and Christians today.

Judaism for Gentiles is available as an open-access book at https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/book/judaism-for-gentiles-9783161619960/ 

Learn more about Dr. Anders Runesson at http://www.andersrunesson.com/

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

Paul is one of the most influential figures in human history. He is also one of the most misunderstood.

For many people, Paul is remembered as the person who moved the Jesus movement away from Judaism and helped create what eventually became Christianity. But what if that framing misses something important?

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Ryan Lambert sits down with New Testament scholar Dr. Anders Runesson to explore a radically different way of understanding Paul, the early Jesus movement, and the relationship between Judaism and the New Testament.

Drawing from his book Judaism for Gentiles, Dr. Runesson challenges many of the assumptions modern readers bring to Paul, the word “church,” the synagogue, and even the idea of Christianity itself.

Together, Ryan and Anders discuss:
• Whether Paul was a “Christian” in the later sense
• What Paul and his contemporaries would have understood by the word ekklesia
• Why translating ekklesia as “church” can be misleading
• How first-century synagogues functioned in the Greco-Roman world
• The relationship between synagogues and Greco-Roman associations
• The idea of “apostolic Judaism” and what life may have looked like for Gentile participants in the early Jesus movement

This conversation explores what it might look like to read Paul more carefully within his original Jewish context and why that matters for Jews and Christians today.

Part 2 coming soon.

Judaism for Gentiles is available as an open-access book at https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/book/judaism-for-gentiles-9783161619960/ 

Learn more about Dr. Anders Runesson at http://www.andersrunesson.com/

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

Recently, Ryan Lambert joined Alec Dunlop on the Water into Wine podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about Paul, Judaism, Jewish-Christian relations, and the personal journey that led Ryan into this work.

Together, they explore why the Jewish context of Paul matters so much, how misunderstandings about Judaism have shaped Christian theology, and why healthier relationships between Jews and Christians remain deeply important today.

This conversation also offers a more personal look into the vision behind Bridge Builders Forum and the growing work of Jewish-Christian bridge building.

If you’ve ever wondered why recovering the Jewish context of the New Testament matters—or why these conversations are so important in today’s world—this episode is a great place to start.

Topics include:

Paul within Judaism
The Jewish context of the New Testament
Jewish-Christian relations
Supersessionism and misunderstanding
Recovering the Jewish Paul
The mission behind Bridge Builders Forum
Ryan Lambert’s personal journey into this work

Here's a link to the Water into Wine YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@alecdunlop

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

What is Judeophobia? And how does this term relate to the New Testament?

In this episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with Dr. Meredith Warren, co-editor of Judeophobia and the New Testament, for an important and thought-provoking conversation about how New Testament texts have been interpreted in ways that contributed to harmful ideas about Jews and Judaism.

Together, they explore:

What the term “Judeophobia” means
How certain New Testament passages have been used in anti-Jewish ways
The Gospel of John and difficult texts like John 8:44
Paul, Christian anti-Judaism, and problematic interpretations of Paul’s letters
Why “Pharisee” became a spiritual insult in Christian culture
How Judeophobia extends beyond biblical interpretation into art, imagery, and Christian imagination
What pastors, teachers, and everyday readers can do to engage these texts more responsibly today

This conversation is honest, challenging, and deeply relevant for anyone who cares about how Jews and Christians understand the Bible—and each other.

Here's a link to the book, Judeophobia and the New Testament - https://a.co/d/0dTkVC4i

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

What is Mussar? And why are so many people being drawn to it today?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, I sit down with Alan Morinis, one of the leading voices in the modern revival of Mussar, to explore a powerful and deeply practical stream of Jewish spiritual practice focused on the inner life.

For some, Mussar is already a meaningful part of their spiritual journey. For others, it’s a completely new concept. But at its core, Mussar is about something universal: becoming more intentional about who we are and who we’re becoming.

Together, we explore:

What Mussar is and where it comes from
Why interest in Mussar is growing today
The role of middot (character traits) in shaping the soul
How to actually practice Mussar in everyday life
And how Shabbat plays a surprising and powerful role in spiritual formation

We also dive into Alan’s newest book, The Shabbat Effect, and explore how sacred time—especially the practice of Shabbat—can serve as a vehicle for refining the soul and cultivating traits such as awareness, silence, and trust.

Whether you’re new to Mussar or already exploring it, this conversation offers a thoughtful and accessible entry point into a tradition that is transforming lives.

The Mussar Institute - https://www.mussarinstitute.org/

Alan's book, Everyday Holiness - https://a.co/d/0d0jamtf

Alan's newest book, The Shabbat Effect - https://a.co/d/08DjYxPB

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

What does it really look like for Christians to stand with Israel and the Jewish people—and to do so in a way that is biblically grounded and relationally meaningful?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, we sit down with Shelley Neese to explore how Scripture—especially the biblical prophets—can shape how Christians think about Israel, the Jewish people, and walking faithfully today.

Shelley serves as the coordinator for American Christian Leaders for Israel and leads The Jerusalem Connection, where she helps Christians engage these questions thoughtfully and responsibly. She is also the author of Bible Fiber, an accessible and deeply insightful guide to the Minor Prophets (the Trei Asar, or “Twelve”).

In our conversation, we discuss:

Why many Christians feel drawn to support Israel—but aren’t always sure how
The role of Christian leaders and organizations in shaping that engagement
Common misunderstandings Christians have about Israel and the Jewish people
Why the prophets are often misread—and what they were actually doing in their own time
How the message of the prophets remains deeply relevant today
Practical ways anyone can begin building meaningful relationships with the Jewish people

If you’ve ever wondered how your understanding of the Bible connects to real-world relationships between Jews and Christians, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Shelley's website - https://shelleyneese.com/

Shelley's book, Bible Fiber - https://a.co/d/0ciQt26R

The Jerusalem Connection - https://thejerusalemconnection.us/

American Christian Leaders for Israel - https://aclforisrael.com/

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

Do Jews have to be “out” for Christians to be “in”?

It’s a question that sits at the heart of how many people have understood the Apostle Paul—and it has shaped centuries of Christian attitudes toward Jews and Judaism.

In this episode, we take a fresh look at Romans, focusing on Paul’s olive tree imagery in chapter 11.

Did Paul really believe that Jews who do not believe in Jesus were removed from God’s covenants?
Or is that a reading shaped more by later theological assumptions than by Paul himself?

Walking carefully through the text, this episode explores:

What Paul actually says in Romans 11:17–24
The meaning of the Greek phrase en autois (“among them”)
Why “broken” may not mean “broken off” (ekklaō)
The difference between ekklaō and ekkopto
Paul’s warning to Gentile believers against arrogance
Why Paul’s olive tree is not a zero-sum story

Along the way, we challenge a deeply ingrained assumption that, for Paul, Jewish belonging to God’s covenant depends on belief in Jesus in the same way it does for non-Jews.

Instead, a different picture emerges—one in which:

Jews remain connected to God’s covenantal promises
Gentile believers are grafted in among them, not in their place
And both are sustained by the same root

This is not replacement theology.
And it’s not dual-covenant theology.

It’s a reexamination of Paul’s own words—on their own terms.

This episode draws from Olive Tree Affirmation #7—part of a larger framework designed to help Christians articulate a faithful, biblical relationship with the Jewish people without falling into antisemitism or replacement theology. 

Learn more about the Olive Tree Campaign and the Olive Tree Affirmations at www.bridgebuildersforum.com/olivetree

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

What is the field of Jewish–Christian relations—and why does it matter more than most people realize?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, we sit down with Rev. Dr. Daniel Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, director of the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College  @bostoncollegectrforchristi8244 , for a conversation that takes you inside a world many people don’t even know exists.

Drawing from a recent conference at Boston College titled Mapping the Field of Jewish–Christian Relations, we explore the growing body of scholarship, collaboration, and conversation dedicated to helping Jews and Christians better understand each other—biblically, historically, and relationally.

But this episode is about more than the academy.

It’s about bridging the gap between what’s happening in scholarly spaces…and what reaches people in pulpits and pews.

Together, we discuss:

What the field of Jewish–Christian relations actually is—and how it developed
Why collaborative research is essential for building healthier relationships
The shift in New Testament scholarship toward reading the text within Judaism
The difference between Jewish–Christian dialogue and long-term relationships
How the field engages sensitive and complex topics like Israel and Palestine
Why the future of Jewish–Christian relations depends on broader, more diverse participation

If you care about how Jews and Christians understand the Bible, relate to one another, and navigate difficult questions in today’s world, this conversation will give you a clearer map of the terrain.

Learn more about the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College at https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/Center-for-Christian-Jewish-Learning.html. Access their YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@bostoncollegectrforchristi8244

Learn more about the Council of Centers on Jewish-Christian Relations at https://www.ccjr.us/

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians" 

The Weird Apostle 
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Olive Tree Affirmations Ryan's book for Christians who want greater clarity on standing against replacement theology

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum