A Jewish Scholar Looks at the Trinity: A Conversation with Alan Brill

A Jewish Scholar Looks at the Trinity: A Conversation with Alan Brill

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] Can Jews and Christians have meaningful theological conversations without minimizing their differences? For many people, the answer is no. Once the conversation turns to the Trinity, the incarnation, salvation, or the Messiah, it can seem like Judaism and Christianity have simply traveled too far down separate paths. But is that really the case? In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum Podcast, Ryan Lambert sits down with Jewish scholar, rabbi, and theologian Dr. Alan Brill to discuss his groundbreaking new book, A Jewish Trinity. Rather than offering a Jewish defense of Christian doctrine, Dr. Brill explores how Jews and Christians can engage one another's theology seriously, honestly, and respectfully while acknowledging the real differences that remain. Together they discuss: • Why theology—not just history or ethics—matters in Jewish-Christian dialogue • The Trinity and Jewish monotheism • The incarnation and divine immanence • Original sin, the yetzer hara, and human nature • Salvation, atonement, and common misunderstandings • Jesus, Jewish messianism, and the historical parting of the ways • Rabbi Jonathan Sacks' vision that "the world is enlarged by differences" Whether you're Jewish, Christian, or simply interested in biblical theology and Jewish-Christian relations, this conversation offers a thoughtful and refreshing model for engaging difficult questions with both conviction and humility. Dr. Brill's book can be found at https://a.co/d/0bVcJdoN Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other. Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] Download the free PDF [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/free-pdf] "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"  The Weird Apostle  [https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Apostle-Strange-Mission-Changer/dp/B0CZJPWQ7K] Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context. Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/donate]

Three Keys to Understanding the Jewish Paul in his World

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] What happens when we recover Paul as a first-century Jewish man living and teaching within the Greco-Roman world? In this episode, Ryan Lambert shares three foundational keys that can transform the way we read Paul's letters. While many have begun to rediscover Paul's Jewish identity, it's equally important to understand the broader Mediterranean world in which he lived, traveled, and proclaimed his message. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why Jews and Greeks influenced one another far more than many people assume • How Paul used Greco-Roman forms, concepts, and rhetoric while communicating a distinctly Jewish message centered on Jesus • Why Paul's call for Gentiles to worship the God of Israel alone was one of the most revolutionary and disruptive ideas in the ancient world Recovering Paul in his own world doesn't diminish his Jewishness. Rather, it helps us understand it more fully. And when we better understand Paul's world, we're better equipped to understand his letters and their significance for Jews and Christians today. Learn how to join the Journey with the Jewish Paul online study (July 2026): https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/connect Learn how to join the Journey with the Jewish Paul Mediterranean Cruise (Sept 2027): https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/expeditions Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other. Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] Download the free PDF [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/free-pdf] "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"  The Weird Apostle  [https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Apostle-Strange-Mission-Changer/dp/B0CZJPWQ7K] Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context. Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/donate]

Capernaum: What it Teaches Us about Jews and Christians - Then and Now: A Conversation with Wally Cirafesi

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] If you've ever visited Capernaum in Israel, you've likely walked through its famous synagogue and stood beneath the octagonal church traditionally associated with Peter's home. But what if those monuments tell a much more complicated story than most visitors realize? In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with New Testament scholar Dr. Wally Cirafesi to discuss his groundbreaking book, "Capernaum," and what archaeology, history, and architecture reveal about one of the most important villages in the Gospels. Together they explore: • What first-century Capernaum was really like during Jesus' ministry • How the synagogue visitors see today differs from the synagogue Jesus knew • How ancient synagogues functioned as diverse Jewish communities • What Peter's house reveals about the earliest Jewish followers of Jesus • The meaning of the Christaeum and its significance for early Jewish-Christian relations • How the octagonal church and limestone synagogue became competing statements of identity and memory • Why modern visitors may unknowingly encounter a supersessionist interpretation of Capernaum • What Christians today can learn from Capernaum as they seek healthier Jewish-Christian relationships Whether you've traveled to Israel dozens of times or simply want to better understand the Jewish world of Jesus and the earliest Jesus movement, this conversation offers fresh insight into one of the New Testament's most significant locations - and what it means for both ancient and modern Jewish-Christian relations. Here's a link to Dr. Cirafesi's book, "Capernaum": https://a.co/d/0fmM0edC Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other. Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] Download the free PDF [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/free-pdf] "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"  The Weird Apostle  [https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Apostle-Strange-Mission-Changer/dp/B0CZJPWQ7K] Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context. Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/donate]

A Legacy of Light and Love: Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Bondi Beach, and the Laws of Noah

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] What kind of legacy do we want to leave behind? In this episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with author and publisher Nikki Goldstein to discuss her powerful book, Conversations with My Rabbi, co-authored with Rabbi Eli Schlanger. What began as an unlikely friendship between a secular Jewish woman and an Orthodox Chabad rabbi became a profound journey of spiritual discovery, moral reflection, and shared purpose. But after Rabbi Eli was tragically killed in the antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah 2025, Nikki found herself carrying forward a message they had worked together to bring into the world. Together, Ryan and Nikki explore Rabbi Eli's legacy, the Seven Noahide Laws, Judaism's vision for all humanity, the challenge of responding to antisemitism with courage, and why these ancient teachings may be more relevant today than ever before. This conversation is not ultimately about tragedy. It is about life, friendship, moral courage, and the enduring power of light and love in a fractured world. Nikki Goldstein's book, Conversations with My Rabbi, can be found at https://a.co/d/07EYx7vY Learn more about Nikki Goldstein at https://nikkigoldsteinauthor.com/ Learn more about Bridge Builders Forum and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/ Make a tax-deductible donation to Bridge Builders Forum at https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/donate Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other. Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] Download the free PDF [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/free-pdf] "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"  The Weird Apostle  [https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Apostle-Strange-Mission-Changer/dp/B0CZJPWQ7K] Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context. Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/donate]

Journey with the Jewish Paul Cruise: Discovering Paul in His World

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] Paul is one of the most influential figures in history. He is also one of the most misunderstood. For many Christians, Paul is presented as the founder of a new religion that broke away from Judaism. But what if that picture is incomplete? What if understanding Paul in his first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman context changes how we read his letters, interpret Acts, and appreciate his mission? In this special episode, Ryan invites you to join him and Kara on the Journey with the Jewish Paul Cruise, a unique 9-night experience through Greece and the Mediterranean in September 2027. Together, we'll visit some of the most important locations connected to Paul's life and ministry, including Athens, Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, Ephesus, and Rhodes, while also enjoying the beauty of islands such as Santorini and Mykonos. Along the way, we'll explore Paul's letters, trace the story of Acts, and immerse ourselves in the world that shaped one of history's most influential Jewish teachers. We'll stand in places where Paul preached, taught, suffered, and wrote.  This isn't just a cruise. It's an opportunity to deepen your understanding of Scripture, engage meaningful questions, build lasting friendships, and discover Paul in his own world. Interested in joining us? Visit bridgebuildersforum.com/expeditions to download the brochure and learn more about the Journey with the Jewish Paul Cruise. Space is limited, and our cabin block is filling quickly. For questions, contact us at info@bridgebuildersforum.com. We hope you'll join us as we discover the Jewish Paul, like never before. Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other. Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/] Download the free PDF [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/free-pdf] "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"  The Weird Apostle  [https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Apostle-Strange-Mission-Changer/dp/B0CZJPWQ7K] Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context. Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum [https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/donate]