A Third Way

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we have conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way. This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we have conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Andrew DeCort. This conversation is about how some Christians have interpreted biblical texts in ways that justify violence and oppression, and how this contrasts with the teachings of Jesus about love, compassion, and mutual flourishing. Andrew and Keri emphasize the importance of understanding the original intentions of God in creation, and how repentance and a renewed commitment to justice and reconciliation can lead to a more constructive Christian response to this ongoing conflict. Dr. Andrew DeCort is the author of Flourishing on the Edge of Faith, Bonhoeffer’s New Beginning: Ethics after Devastation, and the forthcoming books Begin Again and Neighbor-Love. Andrew has worked as a pastor, professor, and peace practitioner in the US, Europe, and Africa. Most recently, he has taught Peace and Conflict at Wheaton College. Andrew is the founding director of the Institute for Faith and Flourishing and co-founded the Neighbor-Love Movement in Ethiopia. NLM works to cultivate love, justice, and flourishing in the face of othering. Andrew’s passion is seeing the precious value of each person, encouraging love, and challenging cultural patterns that devalue others. He holds a PhD in Religious and Political Ethics from the University of Chicago. Andrew and his wife Lily live and work between Chicago and Addis Ababa. 

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we have conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way. In this conversation, Peacemaker, Poet, Theologian, and Author Drew Jackson discusses how his poetry engages with themes of liberation and empire in the Gospel of Luke. He critiques some Christian rhetoric around Zionism and emphasizes the need to understand the full historical context. Drew and Keri discuss how the gospel message should be good news for all, including the oppressed, and challenged views that only focus on certain groups. They also spoke about practices like poetry, prayer and silence that can help Christians engage faithfully with difficult issues.

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we have conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way. In this episode, Pastor, Author, and Peacemaker Jason Miller explores themes of peacemaking, faith, and justice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a Christian perspective. He shares his personal journey of being transformed through listening to stories from the region, and how it challenged his theology. Keri and Jason discuss cultivating inclusion and nuance when addressing complex issues like this within church communities. They emphasize staying present with pain, elevating marginalized voices, and getting educated to contend faithfully in discussions dominated by harmful biases. While uncertainty remains, they express hope that through inner work and communal support, people can resist injustice and reflect God's love for all.

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we have conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way. In this episode, guest Greg Khalil shares his personal story growing up Palestinian Christian and reflections on his identity. He and host Keri Ladouceur explore issues like Christian Zionism, anti-Semitism, Palestinian experiences, and their work with the organization Telos to promote peacemaking. They emphasize the need for mutual recognition of human rights and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians, while acknowledging multiple narratives in the complex conflict. The conversation encourages Christians to reflect on their role and use their voice and agency to advocate for justice and nonviolence.

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we have conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way. In this episode, we are joined by former evangelical pastor, coach, deconstruction and reconstruction thinker Brian Recker. Brian shares his journey away from dispensationalist evangelicalism and how that has shaped his view on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Keri and Brian talk about the views of biblical prophecy they were taught and they emphasize having compassion for all people involved while supporting justice and peace, especially for the oppressed. They explore how to have respectful conversations about these issues and find hope in Jesus' message of inclusion and God's presence with the suffering.

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we have conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way. In this episode, we are joined by chaplain, theologian, and peacemaker Michelle Graham. This conversation explores issues of mutuality, justice and biblical interpretation in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Keri and Michelle discuss how studying the perspectives of Holy Land theologians and visiting Israel/Palestine personally disrupted their previous limited understandings. They grapple with questions of land ownership, God's character and the ethics of violence. The significance of Jerusalem in the Bible is examined, highlighting its history of diversity. Finally, they reflect on how lament and pouring out pain to God can help Christians engage empathetically with trauma and injustice on both sides of the conflict.

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we have conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way. In this episode, we are joined by Palestinian Christian Daniel Bannoura. Daniel shares his personal experiences and perspective on the situation between Israel and Palestine. The conversation deals with the history of colonization and oppression of Palestinians, and how this ongoing trauma and violence has led to the current conflicts and some of the ways that some Christian theology has been used to justify harm against Palestinians. Daniel calls us all to reconsider our views through a lens of justice, human rights, and the gospel message of love, reconciliation and flourishing for all people.

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we have conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way. In this episode, we are joined by Cody Matchett. Cody talks about how some Christians see violence and oppression as God's will, but he argues this is an inconsistent reading of Revelation and the nature of God. Instead, Revelation calls us to have hope in light overcoming darkness through nonviolence, and to faithfully dissent against injustice like Jesus did. They discussed practical ways Christians can advocate for peace and get a renewed vision for justice beyond what political systems teach.

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective, in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we're having conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way.    In this episode, we are joined by Angie Hong. She shares five common interpretive frames she observed: the end times view, pro-Israel view, villain-hero view, decolonization view, and peacemaking view. Angie and Keri discuss the implications of each view and why it's important for Christians to reflect on the frames they bring. The conversation explores how we can engage in education, justice work, and lament to stay present with the grief and complexity of the situation in a way that honors all people's humanity.

This is Peace in the Middle East: A Christian Perspective, in which we dive into the conflict between Israel and Palestine through the lens of the subversive way of Jesus. Through curiosity and an openness to learn, we're having conversations that provide a fresh perspective for a third way.  In this episode, we are joined by biblical scholar Scot McKnight. He unpacks how misreading the book of Revelation has led us down a wrong path in our views of what is happening in the world. He gives us a new vision for reading Revelation.