Turning the Tables: Ryan Lambert as a Guest on Water into Wine

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]

Judaism For Gentiles? A Conversation with Anders Runesson - Part Two

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] In Part 2 of this conversation, Ryan Lambert continues his discussion with New Testament scholar Dr. Anders Runesson about his book Judaism for Gentiles. Building on Part 1, this episode explores some of the biggest questions surrounding Paul, the early Jesus movement, and the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. Together, Ryan and Anders discuss: • Paul’s “rule in all the ekklesiai” and whether it represents a central feature of Paul’s mission and message • The difference between the “joining of the ways” and the more familiar “parting of the ways” model • Whether Paul intended to create separation between Jews and Gentiles • How Paul’s writings were later received as Judaism and Christianity developed into distinct identities • Whether the hostility that eventually emerged between Jews and Christians was inevitable • The broader implications of the Paul within Judaism perspective for modern Jewish-Christian relations This conversation not only explores the historical Paul, but also asks what it might look like to read the New Testament in a way that encourages healthier relationships between Jews and Christians today. Judaism for Gentiles is available as an open-access book at https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/book/judaism-for-gentiles-9783161619960/  Learn more about Dr. Anders Runesson at http://www.andersrunesson.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]

Judaism For Gentiles? A Conversation with Anders Runesson - Part One

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] Paul is one of the most influential figures in human history. He is also one of the most misunderstood. For many people, Paul is remembered as the person who moved the Jesus movement away from Judaism and helped create what eventually became Christianity. But what if that framing misses something important? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Ryan Lambert sits down with New Testament scholar Dr. Anders Runesson to explore a radically different way of understanding Paul, the early Jesus movement, and the relationship between Judaism and the New Testament. Drawing from his book Judaism for Gentiles, Dr. Runesson challenges many of the assumptions modern readers bring to Paul, the word “church,” the synagogue, and even the idea of Christianity itself. Together, Ryan and Anders discuss: • Whether Paul was a “Christian” in the later sense • What Paul and his contemporaries would have understood by the word ekklesia • Why translating ekklesia as “church” can be misleading • How first-century synagogues functioned in the Greco-Roman world • The relationship between synagogues and Greco-Roman associations • The idea of “apostolic Judaism” and what life may have looked like for Gentile participants in the early Jesus movement This conversation explores what it might look like to read Paul more carefully within his original Jewish context and why that matters for Jews and Christians today. Part 2 coming soon. Judaism for Gentiles is available as an open-access book at https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/book/judaism-for-gentiles-9783161619960/  Learn more about Dr. Anders Runesson at http://www.andersrunesson.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]

Turning the Tables: Ryan Lambert as a Guest on Water into Wine

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2386603/fan_mail/new] Recently, Ryan Lambert joined Alec Dunlop on the Water into Wine podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@alecdunlop] for a wide-ranging conversation about Paul, Judaism, Jewish-Christian relations, and the personal journey that led Ryan into this work. Together, they explore why the Jewish context of Paul matters so much, how misunderstandings about Judaism have shaped Christian theology, and why healthier relationships between Jews and Christians remain deeply important today. This conversation also offers a more personal look into the vision behind Bridge Builders Forum and the growing work of Jewish-Christian bridge building. If you’ve ever wondered why recovering the Jewish context of the New Testament matters—or why these conversations are so important in today’s world—this episode is a great place to start. Topics include: Paul within Judaism The Jewish context of the New Testament Jewish-Christian relations Supersessionism and misunderstanding Recovering the Jewish Paul The mission behind Bridge Builders Forum Ryan Lambert’s personal journey into this work Here's a link to the Water into Wine YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@alecdunlop 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]