(228) The Battle for Israel—In Theology and in War

What's really driving the growing skepticism toward Israel—even among young conservatives? In this wide-ranging and urgent conversation, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki sit down with bestselling author and public intellectual Dinesh D'Souza to unpack one of the most important cultural and spiritual shifts of our time. Together, they explore the collapse of trust in institutions, the rise of conspiracy thinking, and how both are reshaping attitudes toward Israel, faith, and the West itself. From biblical archaeology to replacement theology, from social media influence to the future of Christian support for Israel, this episode confronts the biggest questions facing believers today. Why are younger generations drifting away from long-held alliances? What role does theology play in modern politics? And is there still a path forward for a shared Judeo-Christian vision of truth and moral clarity? A bold, challenging, and deeply relevant conversation about faith, identity, and the future of Western civilization. Subscribe to the free Israel365 News Daily Newsletter and the Israel365 Action Weekly Newsletter by clicking here.

Is Israel still central to God's plan—or has that role changed? In this wide-ranging episode, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki take on a question that sits at the heart of modern Christianity. Beginning with Doug's recent article in The Christian Post, they explore whether the New Testament itself reinforces the enduring role of the Jewish people, and why that debate has become so urgent today. But this is not just a theological conversation. As tensions with Iran escalate, the discussion shifts from Scripture to strategy. Joined by military analyst Elliot Chodoff, they break down what is actually happening in the Middle East, what has been achieved on the ground, and how Iran views the conflict in ways that many in the West misunderstand. What emerges is a deeper realization: the question of Israel is not confined to ancient texts or abstract theology. It is playing out in real time, with real consequences. This episode connects belief and reality, asking what it truly means for Israel to matter - both in faith and in the world today.

For nearly two thousand years, much of the Christian world embraced a single assumption: that the Church had replaced Israel in God's covenantal plan. But what happens when history itself seems to challenge that belief? In this provocative and deeply thoughtful conversation, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki sit down with David Virtue to confront a growing theological crisis. If supersessionism was built on the idea of a permanently exiled and diminished Jewish people, how should Christians understand a thriving, sovereign State of Israel? Together, they explore the tension between inherited doctrine and present-day reality, the failure of shallow theological frameworks, and the urgent need for a more serious, grounded Christian understanding of Israel's role in God's plan. Along the way, they address the rise of anti-Israel sentiment, the weakness of modern theological education, and the possibility that the Church itself is heading toward a profound internal reckoning. This is not just a conversation about Israel. It is a conversation about the future of Christian theology—and whether long-held assumptions can survive contact with history. Act now to provide food, clothing, and daily care for orphaned Jewish children in Israel. Go to https://israel365charity.com/campaigns/ukrainian-orphans/ and give generously today.

This is one of the most personal and consequential episodes we've ever recorded. Pastor Doug Reed shares the full story behind his family's monumental decision to move to Israel—what led to it, how it unfolded, and what it means for his family, his faith, and his future. This is not just a relocation. It is a deeply emotional and spiritual journey years in the making, now becoming reality. Then the conversation takes a dramatic turn. Rabbi Pesach Wolicki breaks down his recent viral clash with Candace Owens—and explains why the story is far bigger than a social media feud. What emerges is a troubling picture of potential anti-Israel activity within parts of the U.S. intelligence community, raising serious questions about influence, narrative, and the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship. This episode moves from the deeply personal to the profoundly political, weaving together faith, friendship, and the forces shaping our world today. If you care about Israel, about truth, and about where things may be heading, this is a conversation you do not want to miss.

As war escalates between Israel and Iran, a pressing question is emerging: Is this just Israel's fight—or does it directly impact the future of the United States and the West? In this urgent and eye-opening conversation, Ambassador Yoram Ettinger joins us to unpack what's really happening behind the headlines. From President Trump's reported negotiations to the deeper ideological battle driving Iran's regime, this discussion challenges the assumption that diplomacy alone can bring peace. Drawing on decades of experience in U.S.–Israel relations, Ambassador Ettinger argues that this conflict is not merely political, but civilizational. The stakes go far beyond the Middle East, touching on America's security, global stability, and the moral responsibility to confront evil rather than accommodate it . This episode invites listeners to think more deeply about faith, leadership, and the difficult choices required in a dangerous world.

As war intensifies across the Middle East, it is easy to focus on headlines, military strategy, and geopolitics. But what if the deeper story lies elsewhere—beneath the surface, in theology and ideology? In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki are joined by Dan Burmawi, a former Muslim turned Christian and founder of the Ideological Defense Institute. Together, they explore the religious ideas shaping the current conflict, from Iran's Shiite worldview to the broader ideological struggle between Islam and the West. Dan argues that this war is not fundamentally about land or politics, but about competing visions of truth, power, and the future of civilization. He explains why Sunni and Shiite perspectives diverge, how Islamic eschatology influences global strategy, and why many in the West misunderstand the nature of the conflict entirely. The conversation also turns to the growing ideological battle within Western societies, raising urgent questions about identity, freedom, and the durability of Judeo-Christian values in an increasingly uncertain world. This is a wide-ranging and provocative discussion that challenges assumptions—and asks whether the real battleground is not only in the Middle East, but in the realm of ideas.

Pastor Doug is away this week, so Rabbi Pesach Wolicki flies solo with returning guest Elliot Chodoff, an IDF reserve major and longtime expert on military strategy and the Middle East. Together they take a deep dive into the rapidly evolving confrontation with Iran and the difficult questions now facing Israel, the United States, and the region. What would "regime change" in Iran actually mean? Could the West pursue stability by leaving parts of the regime intact, or would that only guarantee that the same system rebuilds itself in a few years? Pesach and Elliot explore the competing interests of Israel, the United States, and the Gulf states, the dangers of a chaotic collapse in Tehran, and why Iran's ideological system may be fundamentally different from regimes that have fallen elsewhere. They also unpack a crucial but little understood factor in the current moment: the existence of two militaries in Iran, the regime loyal Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the national Iranian army, and how the army's choices could determine the outcome of any uprising. The conversation ranges from the lessons of Nazi Germany and Iraq to the possibility of internal revolt inside Iran. One conclusion becomes clear. However uncertain the future may be, the current regime in Tehran remains the most dangerous outcome of all.

In this special rush-release episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki are joined by John Enarson of Cry for Zion just hours after dramatic military strikes against Iran reshaped the Middle East overnight. Recording amid air-raid sirens in Israel and rapidly changing headlines around the world, they discuss what is actually happening on the ground, why Israeli society appears unusually united at this moment, and how the conflict is being interpreted across the United States, Europe, and the broader Christian world. The conversation also explores the deeper moral and spiritual questions raised by war: What does a just response to evil look like? Can military victory lead to moral transformation? And why are divisions emerging among Christians and conservatives over Israel and the Jewish people at precisely this moment in history? Drawing on John Enarson's recent Substack article, the episode confronts the growing tension inside parts of the Western church, where support for Israel is increasingly contested, and asks what faithfulness requires when geopolitical events collide with theology. This is not a normal weekly episode. It is a real-time conversation recorded in the opening hours of a crisis that may redefine the region and the global conversation about faith, morality, and Israel.

A first-ever synagogue experience and a deeply polarizing political interview come together in this wide-ranging episode of Shoulder to Shoulder. Pastor Doug Reed begins by reflecting on his first full Shabbat prayer service in an Orthodox synagogue, sitting side by side with Rabbi Pesach Wolicki in Nashville. What happens when worship shifts from performance to participation? What did Doug discover about Jewish prayer, community, and spiritual rootedness that challenged his expectations, and what does it reveal about the evolving relationship between Jews and Christians? The conversation then turns to the interview that sparked intense debate across faith and pro-Israel circles, Tucker Carlson's conversation with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Did the interview illuminate real disagreements, or was it structured to reinforce a narrative? Where did Huckabee succeed and where did he fall short? And can criticism of Israel truly be separated from deeper questions about Jewish identity, theology, and biblical interpretation? Doug and Pesach engage the arguments directly, examining media framing, Christian Zionism, and why so many public conversations today feel less like dialogue and more like people talking past one another. This episode moves beyond headlines to ask a harder question. When faith and politics intersect, how do we pursue truth without losing clarity or losing each other?

Recorded live at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki are joined by Rabbi Elie Mischel from the Israel365 studio for a powerful conversation about one of the Bible's oldest and most transformative ideas: Shabbat. As Israel365 creates an immersive Shabbat experience for Christian leaders at NRB, the discussion explores why the Sabbath has become such a compelling spiritual doorway for Christians seeking deeper biblical roots. Together, they reflect on how Shabbat moves faith from constant productivity toward sacred presence, strengthens families, and builds meaningful Jewish-Christian relationships. Through personal stories, theological insight, and behind-the-scenes reflections from NRB, this episode reveals why an ancient Jewish practice is speaking so profoundly to modern believers and how shared spiritual rhythms can bring Jews and Christians closer together in a fractured world.