The Bridge Builders Forum

Send us a textJesus was called Rabbi. John the Baptist was also. But how about Paul? Was he a Rabbi? And does that make a difference in how we understand the Apostle to the Gentiles?Check out this short video for the sense in which we should and should not think of Paul as a Rabbi.Ryan's book on Paul, "The Weird Apostle": https://a.co/d/fsGrhg6Bridge 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 textFor two thousand years, this question has stumped commentators and inspired a lot of creative interpretations. There’s a consensus that Paul’s “thorn” in 2 Corinthians 12 is symbolic. Paul’s not referring to a literal thorn.But what does the thorn represent?Ryan's book on Paul, "The Weird Apostle": https://a.co/d/fsGrhg6Bridge 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 textHeroes and villains, classic scenes, and transformative stories are why we love the movies. Those same things draw a lot of people to the Bible. Faith and good films spark our sense of wonder and inspire us to live with purpose and hope.But what kind of connections exist between the silver screen and the pages of Scripture?Holden Hardman has thought extensively about this intersection - and regularly discusses it on his hugely popular YouTube channels. In this episode, we sit with Holden to discuss the fascinating relationship between fantasy, film, and faith.Holden's Main YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HoldenHardmanHolden's "Pop Culture Christian" Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePopCultureChristianBridge 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 textHealthy relationships require hard work and a lot of wisdom! However, it can be hard to find proven and practical relationship help. Thankfully, Jewish tradition offers a lot of direction to help us nurture positive relationships.Today on The Game Changers Forum, we will discuss relationships and Jewish wisdom with Rabbi Yossi Lerman. Rabbi Yossi will share some practical ways that Jewish wisdom can help build (and even rebuild) rich, enduring relationships on every level.Rabbi Yossi's book "Less Stress, More Joy: The Peace, Harmony, Joy Approach" can be found at https://a.co/d/4wLYNjgBridge 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 Hannukah have to do with the country music singer Chris Stapleton?Well, not a whole lot. But there is a surprising link between one of his songs and this ancient story that took place in Israel over two thousand years ago.Chris Stapleton’s 2020 hit song, “Starting Over" is exactly what the Jewish people had to do in the Hanukkah story.Starting over is typically not easy, but as Chris Stapleton sings, “The hard roads are the ones worth choosing.”In this episode of the Game Changers Forum, we’ll look at how the Jewish people started over in the Hannukah story. And I’ll share three ways their approach can inspire us when we have to rebuild and start afresh today.2:30 Starting Over Key #1 - Part Ways With Courage and Thoughtfulness8:20 Starting Over Key #2 - Clean Up The Mess and Defilement12:25 Starting Over Key #3 - Rebuild For The Long HaulBridge 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 textDoes the God of the Bible allow people to protest Him? Is it okay to vent frustration, hurt, and even anger toward God? Sadly, many people have been hurt and even lost faith because of religious perspectives that discourage or condemn protesting God in any way. In this episode of the Game Changers Forum, we will discuss “protest toward God” with Joshua Brumbach, who has not only dedicated his doctoral studies to this topic but has personally experienced the pain and the reward that comes from wrestling with God.2.30 Defining what we mean by "protest" concerning God6.30 Joshua's journey - what led him to deeply engage with the "protesting God" topic?15.10 Why do we feel guilty about "questioning" or "protesting" God?20.30 The presence of protest towards God in the Bible29.10 The presence of protest towards God in Rabbinic Literature47:45 The problem with responding to pain and protest with dogma59:00 Thoughts for those who are going through a season of "protest"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 textMotivation and inspiration are overrated concepts. Of course, these things are very important. But success is less about feelings…and it’s not even as dependent on our goals as we might think. Progress and Happiness are more related to our habits and systems. Some habits that lead to success are obvious. Others are more subtle. Today on The Game Changers Forum, I will share three underrated habits that can change the game…right where you are!2:55: Habit #1 - Vote before Sunrise8:29: Habit #2 - Solve Real Problems11:55: Habit #3 - Love LosingBridge 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 textThe Apostle Paul believed he stood on the edge of the end times. He was persuaded that Jesus set God’s prophetic clock in motion, and in his mind, that clock was moving fast. Typically, Paul’s short-term view of time is underemphasized or ignored. But Paul’s Jewish, apocalyptic, end-times mindset is a huge factor in understanding his letters.Today on the Game Changers Forum, we will discuss three keys to understanding Paul’s watch…which will help us better understand his letters in our time.3.17 Key #1 - Paul thought Jesus was returning in his lifetime.6.20 Key #2 - Paul's apocalyptic outlook influenced his instructions.10.40 Key #3 - Not everyone agreed with the time on Paul's watch.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 textIsrael has a wine production heritage that goes back to Biblical times. But for most of the past two thousand years, you would be hard-pressed to find a bottle of wine made in the Holy Land. But that all began to change in the mid-1900s. And today, Israel has over 300 wineries producing some of the world's best wine. How did Israel’s wine experience such an unlikely resurgence? Today on The Game Changers Forum, we will uncork this story with an organization dedicated to sharing the flavors of Israel…one bottle at a time!IsraeliGoodWine.comBridge 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 textThe Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans is one of the most influential pieces of literature in the history of Western Civilization. And no book within the Christian Bible has been more analyzed and emphasized than Romans. However, some big misunderstandings about Romans obscure how it’s understood. Today on The Game Changers Forum, we’re going to reframe Romans by looking at it through a Jewish lens—which is a huge key to unlocking Paul’s most influential letter.4:00 Romans is a letter, not a theological treatise11:00 Romans was written to non-Jews15:40 Romans was written to combat triumphalismBridge 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