Send us Fan Mail

What does it actually look like for Jews and Christians to stand together—not just in words, but in real life?

In this final session of the Olive Tree Course Pilot, we move from theology to action.

We explore two crucial affirmations that challenge how Christians read Scripture and relate to Jewish people today:

How interpretations of the Bible impact real Jewish communities
How genuine relationship requires honoring differences—not erasing them

For centuries, certain Christian teachings—often unintentionally—have contributed to harmful ideas about Jews and Judaism. In this episode, we take an honest look at that history and begin to recover a better way forward.

You’ll hear:

Why phrases like “the Jews” require greater care and precision
A fresh perspective on Matthew 27:25 and the idea of collective Jewish guilt
How statements like the 10 Points of Seelisberg and Nostra Aetate offer a new path
A powerful reframing of Romans 11:28–32 as a bridge-building text centered on mercy

And most importantly…

We walk through 10 practical ways to actually live out the Olive Tree Affirmations—from building real relationships to reshaping how Scripture is taught.

This isn’t about guilt.
It’s about clarity and responsibility.
And it’s about stepping into a better story.

A story where Jews and Christians are not rivals but spiritual siblings.

Learn more about the Olive Tree Campaign and the Olive Tree Affirmations at www.bridgebuildersforum.com/olivetree

Bridge Builders Forum
An 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 a text

What is Chabad, really?

Recently, Tucker Carlson raised that question while making serious accusations about Chabad, the global Jewish movement known for its outreach and community work. In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum podcast, Ryan Lambert offers a personal response based on his extensive experience as a member of a Chabad congregation.

Ryan addresses recent claims about Chabad’s role in Middle East politics, explains how Chabad actually speaks about the Messianic era and the rebuilding of the Temple, and shares what he has personally experienced inside Chabad communities around the world.

With more than 5,000 emissary families (shluchim) serving Jewish communities globally, Chabad is widely known for its commitment to Torah, hospitality, education, and acts of kindness.

Instead of speculation or conspiracy theories, this episode invites listeners to understand Chabad through lived experience—and to consider why building genuine relationships across religious communities matters.

Bridge Builders Forum
An 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 a text

In this Bridge Builders Forum episode, Ryan Lambert sits down with Rabbi Joe Charnes to explore one of the most important and debated questions in biblical interpretation:

How Jewish was the Apostle Paul, really?

This conversation comes from a recent Bridge Builders Forum Coffee & Connection live gathering, where Rabbi Joe and Ryan continued a thoughtful discussion that began in an earlier episode about Paul as a Jewish figure.

Both speakers approach Paul as Jewish interpreters who respect him deeply, yet they arrive at different conclusions about how Paul related to Judaism after becoming a follower of Jesus and the apostle to the Gentiles.

Did Paul move beyond Judaism?
Did he remain fully within it?
Or does the answer require more nuance than the traditional categories allow?

In this conversation, Rabbi Joe and Ryan explore questions such as:

• How Jewish interpreters understand Paul today
• Whether Paul continued to affirm Jewish practices such as Torah observance
• How Paul has been misunderstood by both Jews and Christians
• Why Paul still shapes modern Jewish–Christian relationships

Importantly, this discussion models something that is often missing in conversations about Paul: respectful dialogue between friends who share common ground but do not hold identical views.

At Bridge Builders Forum, we believe these kinds of conversations help Jews and Christians better understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

If you are interested in Paul, Jewish–Christian relations, or the historical context of the New Testament, this conversation will offer insight, nuance, and thoughtful engagement.

Bridge Builders Forum
An 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