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

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]

Christians Building Trust in Israel: A Conversation with Tommy Waller

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] How does a Christian from the hills of Tennessee end up building one of the most respected Christian service organizations in Israel? In this episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with Tommy Waller, founder of HaYovel, to discuss the remarkable story of how a family from rural Tennessee became deeply involved in serving Israeli farmers and building relationships with the Jewish people in Israel and around the world. For years, Tommy, his wife Sherri, and the Waller family have mobilized thousands of Christians from around the world to volunteer in Israel through vineyard work, agricultural service, and practical acts of friendship. But this conversation is about much more than farming. It is about trust, reconciliation, and what it looks like for Christians to build meaningful relationships with Jewish people. Tommy shares the origin story of HaYovel, the challenges of earning trust in Israel, the growth of the organization, and the impact of October 7th on both his family and the work they have devoted their lives to. He also reflects on the role of the Waller family in this mission, the next generation’s involvement through projects such as Israel Lighthouse for the Nations and The Israel Guys, and the lessons he has learned from decades of relationship-building. The conversation concludes with Tommy’s thoughts on rising antisemitism, growing hostility toward Israel, practical ways Christians can become bridge-builders in their own communities, and the reasons he remains hopeful about the future of Jewish-Christian relationships. Whether you are passionate about Israel, interested in Jewish-Christian relations, or simply looking for an inspiring story of faithfulness and service, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Learn more about HaYovel: https://www.hayovel.com Learn more about The Israel Guys: https://theisraelguys.com/ 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]

Recovering the Language of the Olive Tree

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] In this special episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert provides an important update on the Olive Tree Campaign and explains why Christians urgently need a clearer theological language regarding Israel, Judaism, and the Jewish people. Many Christians today genuinely want to stand against antisemitism and replacement theology. They want to express solidarity with the Jewish people in ways that are biblically grounded, thoughtful, and constructive. But when it comes time to explain why that relationship matters theologically, many realize they lack the vocabulary to do so. That lack of language has consequences. Too often, inherited assumptions about Judaism being obsolete, inferior, or merely a stepping stone to Christianity continue to shape sermons, classrooms, and Christian culture without being carefully examined. In this episode, Ryan explains how the Olive Tree Campaign seeks to address that problem through the Olive Tree Affirmations, educational resources, and the growing Olive Tree Network. Rooted in the Apostle Paul’s Olive Tree imagery in Romans 11, the Olive Tree Campaign invites Christians to recover a posture of humility, gratitude, and covenantal clarity regarding the Jewish people and Judaism. This episode also includes: • An overview of the Olive Tree Affirmations • Why “zero-sum” theology has damaged Jewish-Christian relationships • How replacement theology still influences the church today • Updates on the Olive Tree book, course, and network • Ways to get involved and support the campaign To learn more, download the free Olive Tree Affirmations PDF, join the Olive Tree Network, or support the campaign, visit: https://bridgebuildersforum.com/olivetree Sign up for the Bridge Builders Forum Email Newsletter - https://www.bridgebuildersforum.com/ Make a tax-deductible donation to the 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]