Ryan Lambert

Part 2 my conversation with New Testament scholar Dr. Anders Runesson is now available. In this episode, we discuss: Did Paul intend to “part the ways” between Judaism and Christianity? What did he mean by his “rule in all the ekklesiai”? And was the hostility that later developed between Jews and Christians inevitable? We also discuss the “Paul within Judaism” perspective and why these conversations matter not only historically, but for Jewish-Christian relationships today. 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉youtu.be/eNWVVxg6bck?si…

Was there only one form of Judaism in Paul’s world? In this clip, New Testament scholar Anders Runesson explains why scholars today increasingly speak about the “varieties” of Judaism in the first century—and how what he and Mark Nanos call “apostolic Judaism” fits within that larger Jewish landscape. 📺full episode 👉 youtu.be/qXAh-g_LHGg?si… 🎧full episode 👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…

According to New Testament scholar Dr. Anders Runesson, Paul was not creating a “third entity” separate from Judaism. Instead, Paul remained Jewish and promoted a form of Judaism specifically for Gentiles. In this clip, Anders explains the core idea behind his influential book “Judaism for Gentiles” and why this perspective challenges many common assumptions about Paul, Judaism, and early Christianity. 📺full episode 👉 youtu.be/qXAh-g_LHGg?si… 🎧full episode 👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…

This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with an excellent scholar on ancient Judaism, Christianity, and the New Testament, Dr. Anders Runesson. I must say, I had a great time with this conversation! Anders and I covered so much that we decided to break this conversation into two parts. This week, in part one, we explore ideas that help us rethink our understanding of Paul, ancient synagogues, the word “church,” and even the origins of Christianity itself. Drawing from his book Judaism for Gentiles, Anders introduces concepts such as “apostolic Judaism” and helps us imagine what life may have been like for Gentile participants in the early Jesus movement. If you have ever wondered whether our modern categories for “Judaism” and “Christianity” fit the first-century world as neatly as we often assume, you’ll find this conversation deeply thought-provoking! 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉youtu.be/qXAh-g_LHGg?si…

Recently, I joined Alec Dunlop on the Water into Wine podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about Paul, Judaism, Jewish-Christian relations, and the personal journey that led me into this work. This conversation was a lot of fun! We talked about 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 so important today. This conversation also offers a more personal look at the vision behind Bridge Builders Forum and the growing work of Jewish-Christian relations. If you’ve ever wondered why recovering the Jewish context of the New Testament matters, this episode is a great place to start. 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉youtu.be/2q-iTincoxo?si…

In this clip, Dr. Meredith Warren explains how the term “Judeophobia” invites deeper reflection on the ways anti-Jewish ideas can shape communities, biblical interpretation, and culture. This clip is from my conversation with Dr. Warren about her book Judeophobia and the New Testament. 📺full episode 👉 youtu.be/UBT9AIM6Y6g?si… 🎧full episode 👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…

What is Judeophobia? And how does this term relate to the New Testament? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Meredith Warren, co-editor of the book, Judeophobia and the New Testament, for an important and thought-provoking conversation about how New Testament texts have been interpreted in ways that contributed to harmful ideas about Jews and Judaism. We talk about the Gospel of John, Paul, the Pharisees, Christian art, and why this conversation matters not only academically, but for real Jewish communities today. This is a challenging but deeply necessary discussion. 📺👉 youtu.be/UBT9AIM6Y6g?si… 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…

This book is in my “top three” regarding academic resources that address Paul’s relationship to Judaism. It is simply excellent! A few topics Runesson covers include : *Paul as promoting an “Apostolic” form of Judaism (for Gentiles) *The question: was Paul a Christian and did he attend church? *Paul and the “joining” vs. “parting” of the ways. And his material on understanding what first century synagogues were like…his analysis of terms such as ekklesia, Christianity/Christian…are great! On the negative side, forget about ordering this on Amazon or anywhere else! It’s very expensive. But, good news: this book is available via open access if you don’t mind reading PDFs or printing them at mohrsiebeck.com/en/book/judais… And more good news: if you’d like to just get an overall feel for the themes in the book…as well as implications for the relationship between Jews and Christians today, I’ll be hosting Anders on the Bridge Builders Forum podcast for an accessible conversation about this book later this month! Subscribe at @bridgebuildersforum?si=CZ6NebRl13FH8Vvo" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@bridgebuilder…

What is Mussar? And why are so many people being drawn to it today? In this new episode, we sit down with Alan Morinis, one of the leading voices in the modern revival of Mussar, to explore this deeply practical Jewish spiritual tradition focused on shaping the inner life. Together, we discuss: • What Mussar is and where it comes from • The role of middot (character traits) in refining the soul • Why Mussar is resonating with so many people today…well beyond the Jewish world • And how Shabbat can become a powerful vehicle for spiritual formation We also discuss Alan’s newest book, The Shabbat Effect, and the connection between Mussar, Shabbat, and the work of the soul. Whether you’re brand new to Mussar or already exploring it, this conversation will encourage you and provide an opportunity to learn about this important Jewish practice directly from a deeply influential voice. 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉 youtu.be/rcJ7Eg2xWPg?si… #mussar

What does it really look like for Christians to stand with Israel and the Jewish people—and to do so in a way that is biblically grounded and relationally meaningful? In this episode, we sit down with Shelley Neese, who serves as the coordinator for American Christian Leaders for Israel and leads @jerusalemreport where she helps Christians engage these questions thoughtfully and responsibly. She is also the author of Bible Fiber, an accessible and deeply insightful guide to the Minor Prophets (the Trei Asar, or “Twelve”). Shelley shares a lot of practical advice and important insight into some tough questions. And we have a fun time digging deep into the prophets as well! 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉youtu.be/l5rhq4w8lJ0?si…

For Paul, did Jews have to be “out” as the people of God for Christians to be “in”? It’s a question that has shaped how many Christians have understood Romans 11—and how they’ve related to the Jewish people. But what if Paul’s olive tree imagery has been misread? In this 13 minute episode, I take a closer look at Romans 11 and explore a key detail that often gets overlooked: Are the natural branches “broken off”…or simply broken? That distinction may change how we understand Paul’s entire argument. 📺👉 youtu.be/xrBWMTspNHc?si… 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…

Tonight begins Yom HaShoah—Holocaust Remembrance Day. We remember the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were murdered. May their memory be for a blessing. Remembering the Holocaust is not only about the past. It is about the responsibility we carry in the present: to resist hatred, to reject harmful ways of thinking, and to ensure that what was made possible before is never made possible again. #neveragain #HolocaustRemembranceDay

What is the field of Jewish–Christian relations—and why does it matter more than many people realize? In this episode, I sit down with Rev. Dr. Daniel Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, director of the Boston College Center for Christian-Jewish Learning for a conversation that takes you inside a world many people don’t even know exists. Drawing from a recent conference at Boston College titled “Mapping the Field of Jewish–Christian Relations”, we explore the growing body of scholarship, collaboration, and conversation dedicated to helping Jews and Christians better understand each other—biblically, historically, and relationally. 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉 youtu.be/e31y9FfdLYM?si…

What is “Universal Zionism”? And why would it matter to a Christian in Kentucky as much as to a Jew in Jerusalem…maybe even more? In this episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, I sit down with Rabbi Tuly Weisz, founder of @Israel365News , to explore his new book Universal Zionism, the growing relationship between Jews and Christians, and what it looks like to build meaningful partnership rooted in shared biblical values. 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉 youtu.be/wIQhxvwluIA?si…

We’ve talked about the ideas. Now it’s time to live them. In this final session of the Olive Tree Pilot series, I explore two crucial questions: What does it look like to read Scripture in a way that doesn’t harm Jewish people today? And what does it mean for Jews and Christians to relate to one another as spiritual siblings—not rivals? We also walk through 10 simple, practical ways to actually live out the Olive Tree Affirmations. If you’ve been following this series, this is where it all comes together. 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉youtu.be/E1fBHjf-KsU?si…

When you listen to some Christian rock, especially Psalmodies, like this take on Psalm 8, you cannot but feel moved by how much Christianity and Judaism are related, and why our natural feeling for each other, despite dark parts of our history, should be one of love. Phil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video] youtu.be/VJktySIPkrY?si… via @YouTube

Recently, Tucker Carlson asked a question that struck a personal chord with me: “What is Chabad, really?” The answer he offered included some serious, and in my view, deeply troubling, accusations. So I decided to respond. For more than than fifteen years, I’ve been connected to a Chabad community. I’ve studied with Chabad rabbis. I’ve built real friendships. And I’ve seen firsthand what Chabad actually is. And what I’ve experienced looks nothing like the narrative being suggested and spread online. Instead, I’ve encountered a community deeply devoted to God, to Torah, to kindness, and to serving others, often with remarkable sacrifice. This 8 minute episode is my attempt to answer that question: What is Chabad, really? If you’ve been hearing a lot about Chabad lately—or if you’re trying to make sense of the claims being made—I hope this conversation offers a different perspective. Because in a time when misunderstandings can spread quickly, taking the time to actually get to know one another matters more than ever. 📺👉 youtu.be/ivtDQ-xdUW0?si… 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the…

How Jewish was the Apostle Paul…really? In this new Bridge Builders Forum episode, I sit down with my friend and colleague Rabbi Joe Charnes to explore one of the most important questions in New Testament interpretation. Both of us approach Paul as Jewish interpreters who respect him deeply—but we don’t see every aspect of Paul’s relationship to Judaism the same way. In this conversation we explore Paul’s Jewish identity, where interpreters differ, and why these questions still matter for Jewish–Christian relationships today. 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉 youtu.be/-xKoxraS39Q?si…

Today, the relationship between Jews and Christians is being tested, debated, and often misunderstood. In moments like this, thoughtful leadership matters. In this new episode of the Bridge Builders Forum, I sit down with Peter Fast, International President and CEO of @BridgesForPeace, joining us from Israel. We discuss: • The mission of Bridges for Peace • The rise of antisemitism • Christian Zionism under pressure • Why mobilizing Christians to stand with the Jewish people matters right now If you care about Jewish–Christian relationships, Israel, and standing against antisemitism with clarity and compassion, this conversation is for you. 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉youtu.be/R-KOy9r1maw?si…

Some conversations in the realm of Jewish-Christian relations can be uncomfortable. But avoiding them hasn’t helped. In our latest Bridge Builders Forum episode, I share an excerpt from Session 3 of the Olive Tree Pilot Course where we address three topics that many feel unsure how to navigate: • Should Christians evangelize Jews? • Is this “dual covenant theology”? • Do the Jewish people still have a covenantal bond to the Land of Israel? These questions sit right at the heart of Jewish–Christian tension. And if we don’t approach them carefully and honestly, we risk either drifting into confusion…or falling back into old patterns that have harmed this relationship for centuries. Let’s keep building better conversations together! 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the… 📺👉youtu.be/GV9nxc4yXOM?si…