The Bridge Builders Forum

Send us a textIn 1965, the Catholic Church issued Nostra Aetate, a groundbreaking declaration that dramatically transformed its relationship with the Jewish people — rejecting centuries of theological hostility and opening the door to renewed friendship and respect.Sixty years later, the legacy of Nostra Aetate continues to shape Jewish-Christian relations. But what still needs to be done?In this episode, Ryan Lambert speaks with Dr. Philip Cunningham, co-director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations at Saint Joseph’s University, and a widely respected scholar in Catholic-Jewish dialogue. Together they explore:What Nostra Aetate actually said — and why it was revolutionaryHow Catholic teaching on Jews changed so dramatically in 1965Why the Apostle Paul is central to Nostra Aetate’s visionHow Catholic preaching and education have been transformed (or not)How Jews themselves have responded to Nostra AetateWhy Pope Francis speaks of receiving “treasures of wisdom” from JudaismWhat the next 10 years could look like for Jewish-Christian relationsIf you care about overcoming misunderstanding between Jews and Christians — and building a future of mutual respect, learning, and covenantal partnership — this episode is for you!Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations at St. Joseph's University: https://www.sju.edu/college-arts-and-sciences/ijcrDr. Cunningham's recent lecture on Nostra Aetate at Boston College: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYTUg3hWmAYNostra Aetate, Paragraph 4: https://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/commissione-per-i-rapporti-religiosi-con-l-ebraismo/nostra-aetate-n--4.htmlBridge Builders ForumAn 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 a textWere Paul’s churches actually synagogue sub-groups?We usually imagine Paul planting “Christian churches” that were completely separate from Judaism — but that’s not likely how Paul saw it.In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores a game-changing possibility: that Paul’s “churches” were actually assemblies meeting within Jewish synagogues — not outside of them.You’ll discover:Why Paul’s Gentile followers could only worship Israel’s God within synagogue lifeWhy synagogues were the only place they could learn and interpret the Jewish ScripturesWhy Paul expected Gentiles to observe Torah-based practices like Passover (1 Cor 5)How Romans 11 confirms ongoing connection to the Jewish communityWhat this means for Jewish-Christian relations todayThis is not about erasing differences — it’s about better understanding Paul’s actual vision, which was far more connected, humble, and rooted in Jewish communal life than many assume.Bridge Builders ForumAn 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 a textCan Christians embrace the Jewish Sabbath, and if so, what might it look like?In this inspiring episode of the Bridge Builders Forum Podcast, Ryan Lambert sits down with Michael and Selah Hirsch, authors of Pressing Pause, to explore how rediscovering the biblical rhythm of Shabbat transformed their family life, deepened their relationship with God, and helped them resist the exhaustion of a nonstop culture.Together, they discuss:*What “soul exhaustion” looks like in today’s world and how Shabbat offers a sacred refuge.*How a trip to Israel reshaped their understanding of Sabbath rest.*Why Shabbat isn’t just a Jewish idea, but a divine rhythm meant to bless all humanity.*How Christians can begin to practice Sabbath in ways that honor its Jewish roots while fitting their own faith traditions.This is a timely conversation as more Christians rediscover the beauty of the Sabbath and ask what it means for their own lives and communities.Michael and Selah's new book, "Pressing Pause": https://a.co/d/fRGDP2JMichael and Selah's website, "Start Sabbath": https://startsabbath.com/Bridge Builders ForumAn 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 a textWhy are so many Christians celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles? And what does this ancient Jewish festival have to do with the Apostle Paul?In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores the surprising connection between Sukkot and Paul’s mission to the Gentiles. Drawing on Zechariah’s vision of the nations streaming to Jerusalem to worship the God of Israel, Ryan reveals how Paul saw his calling as part of that same prophetic hope, the great “ingathering of the nations.”Discover how Paul’s Jewish faith and observance of the biblical festivals shaped his understanding of the Gospel, and why Sukkot remains such a powerful picture of unity, joy, and shared faithfulness among Jews and Christians today.Bridge Builders ForumAn 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 a textAleph Beta has transformed the way countless people engage with the Torah. With animated videos, podcasts, and courses, they’ve made learning not only meaningful but also enjoyable, reaching a diverse audience of Jews and Christians worldwide.In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum Podcast, Ryan Lambert sits down with Aleph Beta’s CEO, Imu Shalev, to explore the story behind this groundbreaking Torah media company. From Imu’s own journey, to the creative process behind Aleph Beta’s signature videos, to the global impact of teaching intertextuality and other literary tools of the Bible, this conversation highlights how Aleph Beta is awakening a deeper love for Torah learning.Whether you’re Jewish, Christian, or simply curious about the Bible, this episode will inspire you to see Torah with fresh eyes and consider new ways to start (or renew) your own journey of study.Aleph Beta's main website: https://www.alephbeta.org/Aleph Beta's "A Book Like No Other" podcast: https://www.alephbeta.org/podcasts/book-like-no-otherBridge Builders ForumAn 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 a textDid the Apostle Paul continue to observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, after becoming a follower of Jesus? Many assume the answer is no, that Paul abandoned the Temple, sacrifices, and Jewish holy days. Others claim he reinterpreted Yom Kippur purely through Christ.But the New Testament paints a more complex (and more Jewish) picture of Paul. In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores why Paul likely continued to honor Yom Kippur, even as he proclaimed Christ to the nations. From Acts 24 to Paul’s own temple sacrifices, the evidence suggests Paul never rejected his people’s sacred rhythms. Instead, he saw Yom Kippur’s themes of mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation extended through Christ to Gentiles.Recovering this Paul matters. It challenges common misconceptions, deepens our understanding of the New Testament, and helps heal the rift between Jews and Christians.Bridge Builders ForumAn 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 a textWhat does it really mean to live on purpose? And can ancient Jewish wisdom help anyone, regardless of background, live with greater clarity, direction, and meaning?In this inspiring episode of the Bridge Builders Forum Podcast, Ryan Lambert sits down with Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson, author of On Purpose: Practical Wisdom for Designing a Life of Purpose. Drawing from the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century, Rabbi Kalmenson shares how timeless Jewish ideas can guide all people, Jewish, Christian, or otherwise, toward a more focused and meaningful life.Together, they explore:Why the Rebbe believed every person has a unique and irreplaceable role in the worldHow Jewish wisdom views the soul and its missionWhat it means to participate in the “ongoing process of creation”How to overcome the traps that distract us from our purposeWhy struggle can actually be a path to deeper meaningAnd what each of us can do, right now, to live with greater intention in the year aheadWhether you're entering the Jewish New Year of 5786 or simply seeking renewed purpose in your life, this conversation offers practical insight and spiritual encouragement for the journey.Here's the link to the book, "On Purpose..." - https://a.co/d/1UpdMvOBridge Builders ForumAn 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

Mark Nanos, a New Testament scholar and a leading authority on the 'Paul within Judaism' perspective, shares insights from his journey into biblical scholarship. He argues that Paul was a Torah-observant Jew, reframing how we understand his teachings on Gentiles. The discussion covers the impact of translations on interpretations of Paul, emphasizing the need for new translations that align with this viewpoint. Nanos also explores the implications of his research for improving Jewish-Christian relations and the future direction of the Paul within Judaism movement.

Send us a textRomans 11:25–26 contains one of Paul’s most debated statements: “a partial hardening has come upon Israel…and in this way all Israel will be saved.”For centuries, many Christians have understood these verses to mean that Israel has been rejected and must one day be “saved” in the traditional sense of conversion. But is that really what Paul meant?In this episode of Journey with the Jewish Paul, Ryan Lambert explores how Paul’s choice of words in Greek (porosis (“callus”) instead of “hard heart,” and sozo (“made safe, preserved”) instead of only “saved”) paints a very different picture. Far from declaring Israel rejected, Paul insists that Israel is protected, beloved, and irrevocably called.We’ll examine why translation matters, how misreadings of Romans 11 have fueled centuries of Christian arrogance toward the Jewish people, and why recovering Paul’s original intent helps us move toward humility, reconciliation, and stronger Jewish-Christian relations today.Bridge Builders ForumAn 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 a textWhat did Jesus really teach about the Jewish Law? In this episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert talks with Dr. Paul Sloan, author of "Jesus and the Law of Moses," and host of the podcast, "Jesus and the Jewish Law."They uncover common misunderstandings about Jesus and the Torah, explore his first-century context, and reveal fresh insights about the Sabbath, ritual purity, the Temple, and even the Lord’s Prayer. If you’ve ever wondered how Jesus’ teachings fit within Judaism or how they shaped the Gospels, this conversation is for you!Paul's book, Jesus and the Law of MosesPaul's podcast (co-hosted with Logan Williams) called "Jesus and the Jewish Law"Logan Williams' article on Mark 7:18-19Bridge Builders ForumAn 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