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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.

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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.

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

What is Universal Zionism? And why would it matter to a Christian in Kentucky as much as to a Jew in Jerusalem…maybe even more?

In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with Rabbi Tuly Weisz, founder of Israel 365, to explore one of the most compelling—and controversial—visions shaping Jewish–Christian relations today.

Joining us from Israel during the war with Iran, Rabbi Weisz shares his personal story of how an Orthodox rabbi from Ohio became a leading voice building bridges between Jews and Christians worldwide.

Together, we discuss:

The meaning behind his new book Universal Zionism
Why Jewish–Christian reconciliation may be the most important alliance of our generation
What role Christians play in the future of Israel
The biblical framework of Saul, David, and Solomon in shaping this vision
The controversy surrounding Judea and Samaria
How October 7 changed Israel365—and the broader Jewish–Christian relationship
What it’s like living in Israel right now amid tensions with Iran
His greatest concerns—and deepest hopes—for the future

This is a deep conversation about theology, current events in Israel and the Jewish world, and the future of Jewish–Christian partnership—one that challenges assumptions and invites deeper understanding.

Rabbi Tuly's new book can be found at https://israel365store.com/collections/home-page/products/universal-zionism

Learn more about Israel 365 at https://israel365.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.

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum