In this episode of the Christ at the checkpoint podcast, Pastor Munther Isaac and Palestinian theologian Tony Deik discuss the controversial interview between Tucker Carlson and US senator Ted Cruz where Cruz argued that Christians are commanded, based on Genesis 12:3, to support and “bless” the political state of Israel. Munther and Tony respond to Cruz’s claims and give a proper explanation of Genesis 12:3, the meaning of blessing, and how it applies to us today.

Tony Deik is a Palestinian biblical scholar and theologian from Bethlehem, Palestine. He is a member of the leadership team of the International Fellowship for Mission as Transformation, lecturer in Biblical Studies at Bethlehem Bible College, and research associate at the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. Tony’s research interest revolves around the biblical text, its ancient meaning, and its modern relevance especially in contexts of oppression and marginalization.

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In this episode of the Christ at the checkpoint podcast, Rev. Dr. Jack Sara gives a Palestinian evangelical leader responds to statements made by prominent American evangelical leaders and gives a strong rebuke to American Christian Zionism.

Rev. Dr. Jack Sara is the President of Bethlehem Bible College. Born and raised in the Old City of Jerusalem, Jack studied at Bethlehem Bible College after committing his life to Christ and his teachings. He soon became a member and leader in the ministry of the Jerusalem Alliance Church who in turn recognized his gifts and calling and encouraged him to go and study further for the work of the Gospel. Acting upon this directive, Jack went to the Philippines to study at the Alliance Biblical Seminary where he earned his M.Div degree.

He then returned to Jerusalem and began ministering in full-time capacity with his church and teaching part-time at BBC. After serving and leading the church for 13 years as a senior pastor, he and other like-minded leaders, saw the Alliance church become a church planting movement and a catalyst church in reaching out to the Palestinian people and Arabs with the love of Christ through a variety of means. Rev. Jack holds a doctorate degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Missions and Cross-Cultural Studies. Rev. Jack travels around the globe, teaching about Missions and Cross-Cultural work in the Middle East. Dr. Jack also is a consultant for the World Evangelical Alliance for the Middle East & North Africa.

Rev. Jack is an ordained minister with Evangelical Alliance Church in the Holy Land where he still maintains an overseeing role with the leadership of the churches. He has also worked extensively in the areas of peace & reconciliation.

Here are the references to the statements quoted in this episode:

https://m.jpost.com/christianworld/article-845212

https://www.jns.org/us-christians-reaffirm-israels-right-to-biblical-heartland-ahead-of-trumps-decision-on-annexation/

https://www.foxnews.com/world/leading-evangelicals-push-have-president-trump-recognize-israeli-sovereignty-over-biblical-heartland

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/12/politics/mike-huckabee-palestinian-comments-trump-israel-ambassador?cid=ios_app

https://www.jns.org/in-historic-first-huckabee-prays-in-shiloh-as-part-of-official-visit-to-samaria/

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/gop-rep-tim-walberg-suggests-gaza-handled-nagasaki-hiroshima-rcna145752

https://www.newsweek.com/pro-trump-pastor-hopes-israel-war-sparks-jesus-return-1833972

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In this episode of the Christ at the checkpoint podcast, Xavier Abu Eid discuss explains the Nakba, and its impact on Palestinians Christians past and present. Xavier Abu Eid, Palestinian Christian political analyst and historian. He is the author of Rooted in Palestine. Palestinian Christians and the Struggle for National Liberation 1917 to 2004. Currently writing his PhD thesis on Palestinianization of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem. Xavier is also a former member of the Palestinian negotiation team. He is a regular at Al-Jazeera English.

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Follow Across the Divide on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠‪@AcrosstheDividePodcast‬⁠⁠⁠