In this profoundly moving episode of the Covenant & Conflict Podcast, host David Blease sits down with Rocket Rudolph, a Torah-observant Jewish follower of Yeshua, to share his remarkable journey of faith from Orthodox Judaism to a life-changing encounter with the Living God sparked by the television series "The Chosen."
In this episode, Rocket shares his experience growing up Jewish, his early encounters with Jesus-believers, and years of faithful Torah observance, living immersed in Orthodox Judaism in London and New York.
Rocket shares his pain, loss, and spiritual emptiness that led him to a breaking point in Brazil. His journey took an unexpected turn when he was encouraged to watch "The Chosen," and his life mirrored a scene between a man and Yeshua (Jesus).
Hear how Rocket now interprets living a Torah-Observant life as a Jewish Man following Yeshua Messiah.
This is an incredible story of identity, redemption, and restoration, which is proof that God still meets us in the most unexpected places.
Subscribe for more conversations on faith, Israel, and the unity of Jew and Gentile in Messiah.
In this compelling episode of the Covenant & Conflict Podcast, Arab Christian pastor Steven Khoury from Bethlehem shares what it’s like to live out his faith in the middle of the Israel–Palestine conflict.
Born in Jerusalem and raised in Bethlehem, Steven shares his personal journey of persecution, ministry, and hope. He discusses:
This heartfelt interview brings a powerful message of unity, faith, and God’s redemptive plan for the Middle East. Watch more conversations about faith, Israel, and the Gospel at work in the Holy Land.
#Israel #Palestine #MiddleEastChristianity #CovenantAndConflict #ChristianPodcast
This episode of Covenant and Conflict shares the true story of Rabbi Daniel Cone, the chief rabbi of Bulgaria during World War II. After a profound vision of Yeshua as the Messiah, Rabbi Cone partnered with Metropolitan Stefan, a leader in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, to resist Nazi orders and protect the Jewish community. Together, they helped save over 50,000 Bulgarian Jews from deportation and death.
Though Rabbi Cone later faced rejection from his own community because of his Messianic faith, his legacy endures through the testimony of those he saved and through a new book written by the guest’s family. The episode reflects on faith under pressure, the courage to stand for righteousness, and the enduring bond between Jews and Gentiles in the face of darkness.
The Bible’s teaching on Hell can be challenging. Much of our knowledge about Hell comes from the words of Jesus himself, but what did his Jewish audience understand at the time? In this conversation, we sit down with Dr. Dan Call, Chair of the Department of Doctoral Studies and Professor of Practical Theology, to explore these questions.
In the Hebrew Scriptures and in Jewish thought, “Hell” was less about eternal damnation and more about purification or temporary separation. Jesus speaks about both immediate and long-term consequences of our choices, urging people to recognize him as the Son of Man and Messiah.
Scholars continue to debate whether Hell represents eternal punishment or ultimate annihilation. Still, the greater emphasis of the New Testament is not on Hell itself but on the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers. But is the opposite of eternal life, endless torment? Or separation from God?
If you are seeking a deeper understanding of the biblical view of Hell, the different scholarly perspectives, and the tension between Jewish and Christian theologies on eternal punishment, check out this episode.
#BibleStudy #EternalLife #HellInTheBible #JewishThought #JesusTeaching #HeavenAndHell #ChristianTheology #MessianicFaith
Welcome back to Covenant and Conflict, the podcast from the Gateway Center for Israel where faith meets one of the world’s most complex conversations.
In this episode, we sit down with Hannah Morton, whose journey into this topic began when she noticed how “pro-Israel” our church was. While she deeply understood the theology and biblical priority of Israel and the Jewish people, she began asking a bold and uncomfortable question: Is our love for Isaac unintentionally leaving Ishmael in the corner?
Hannah shares how her upbringing near Native American reservations shaped her heart for empathy and tension—an invaluable perspective when looking at the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Together, we wrestle with questions at the intersection of biblical theology and real-world conflict:
• How do we honor God’s covenant with Israel while embracing His image in all people?
• What happens when our passion for one group causes us to overlook another?
• Why is humility and a refusal to oversimplify vital for this conversation?
This is not an easy dialogue—but it’s an essential one. If you’ve ever wondered how to faithfully navigate the tension between God’s covenant promises and the messiness of global conflict, this episode is for you.
👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to stay updated on every episode of Covenant and Conflict.
#Israel #Christianity #Podcast #GatewayCenterForIsrael #CovenantAndConflict
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LEARNING RESOURCES:
Getting Started — Israel 101: https://centerforisrael.com/getting-started
Israel Prayer Guide: https://centerforisrael.com/israel-prayer-guide
Perspective Papers: https://centerforisrael.com/papers
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:https://instagram.com/CenterForIsrael/https://www.facebook.com/CenterForIsraelhttps://twitter.com/CenterForIsraelhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/gateway-center-for-israelLEARNING RESOURCES:Getting Started — Israel 101: https://centerforisrael.com/getting-started/Israel Prayer Guide: https://centerforisrael.com/israel-prayer-guide/Perspective Papers: https://centerforisrael.com/papers/
Ethiopian Israeli Worship Leader Shares About Yeshua & Israel
In this thought-provoking episode, David Blease sits down with Nehemia Gordon—renowned Hebrew scholar and former Orthodox Jew turned Karaite—to explore the profound differences between Rabbinic Judaism and Karaite Judaism.Nehemia shares his journey of faith and scholarship, revealing why Karaites choose to follow the Hebrew Bible alone, wrestling with the later Rabbinic traditions like the Talmud. Together, we trace the historical roots of the Karaite movement and examine its implications for Jewish identity and biblical interpretation today.But that’s not all—we also dive into the fascinating world of ancient manuscripts as Nehemia walks us through the Hebrew Gospel of Matthew. How does it differ from the more commonly known Greek versions? What might this tell us about Yeshua (Jesus) 's original words? This conversation challenges assumptions and offers fresh perspectives on Scripture, history, and faith.
📚 Discover more of Nehemia’s work and get all his books at: https://www.nehemiaswall.com
Amazon Link to Nehemia’s Books Here: https://tinyurl.com/47pbwe62
Believers across denominations are asking deeper questions about Communion—the Eucharist. In this episode, we explore what Jesus meant when He instituted it at Passover, whether we receive His actual body and blood, and how the Church can faithfully recover God’s heart for the Table.
Yeshua: The Stumbling Block — Perspectives From an Israeli Messianic Jew
What happens when church history and Jewish heritage collide? In this compelling conversation with Dr. Jen Rosner, we explore the tension between Christian tradition and Jewish roots, confronting the flaws of early church councils while honoring the beauty and complexity of both faith traditions.
What happens when a Christian pastor sits down with two Orthodox rabbis from Israel to discuss faith, theology, and the future of the Jewish-Christian relationships? This powerful episode of Covenant and Conflict dives deep into one of the most pressing spiritual conversations of our time.
In today's episode we explore:
This isn’t just a theological discussion—it’s a call to seek truth with open hearts, to embrace our shared biblical foundations, and to foster genuine understanding in a divided world.
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LEARNING RESOURCES:
Getting Started - Israel 101: https://centerforisrael.com/getting-s...
Israel Prayer Guide: https://centerforisrael.com/israel-pr...
Perspective Papers: https://centerforisrael.com/papers
#Christianity #Judaism #Israel #Faith #Theology #ReplacementTheology #JewishChristianRelations #CovenantAndConflict #Humility #BibleStudy
Join David Blease and Preston Benjamin as they unpack the four types of seekers in the Jewish-Christian space—authenticity, conspiracy, curiosity, and identity—offering insight and practical guidance on leading people toward a deeper faith and avoiding many common pitfalls.
This video is a must-watch for anyone who feels led to the Jewish foundations of our faith.
In this episode of Covenant & Conflict, David Blease and Matthew Hernandez explore the transformative practice of the Sabbath, emphasizing its significance as a time for rest and connection with God and family. Matthew shares insights from his own journey, including meaningful traditions his family has embraced and flexible ways to incorporate Sabbath into busy lives. Join us to discover how this sacred practice can bring healing and awareness of God's presence into your everyday routine!
In this episode, David Blease sits down with Preston Benjamin, an expert in Messianic Jewish understanding with a Master's in Biblical Theology. Preston breaks down Acts 15, the historical roots of the Evangelical Church, and whether the Church should return to the Acts model. The early church faced a major challenge in integrating Gentile believers who wanted to follow the God of Israel, but were not commanded by God to adopt Jewish identity and practices. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the church decided that Gentiles could be adopted into the family of Abraham through faith in Jesus without needing to be circumcised or fully convert to Judaism.
This allowed the church to remain rooted in its Jewish foundations while welcoming Gentiles. The relationship between the church and Israel has often been complex and contentious throughout history, with the church sometimes falling into a theology of replacement or supersessionism.
However, there is a growing understanding that the church and Israel are not separate but instead represent the ongoing people of God, with both Jewish and Gentile believers having a vital role to play.
As the church seeks to reconnect with its biblical roots, it must do so in a way that honors the unique identity and calling of both Jewish and Gentile believers.
In this episode, Rosian Zerner, a Holocaust survivor, shares her harrowing story of witnessing the Nazis' invasion of her hometown in Lithuania and the horrors that followed.
She describes the atrocities committed by her Lithuanian neighbors, the deprivation and harsh conditions in the ghettos and concentration camps, and the bravery of those who risked their lives to help her escape.
Despite the trauma, Rosian rebuilt her life in the United States, raising a family and living to the age of 90. Her powerful testimony serves as a reminder of the importance of Holocaust education and of standing up against antisemitism and hatred in all its forms.
In this episode, Dr. David Rudolph and David Blease discuss the importance of understanding the Jewish foundation of the Christian faith and the need for a healthy relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers in Messiah.
They discuss topics such as:
* The danger of trying to integrate Jewish practices into the church without developing meaningful relationships with the Jewish community.
* The concept of the "one new man" in Ephesians 2, which refers to Jews and Gentiles coming together in Messiah as equal covenant partners, not as a new identity that erases their distinct Jewish and Gentile identities.
* There are two extremes to avoid - completely assimilating Jewish believers into Gentile Christian culture, or trying to compel all Gentile believers to adopt a Jewish lifestyle. The goal should be to embrace the unique callings of both Jewish and Gentile believers.
* Gentile Christians should seek to support and develop relationships with Messianic Jewish congregations, as well as with non-believing Jewish communities, to stand against antisemitism and walk in unity as the body of Messiah.
In this episode, we talk about the significance of Passover and its connection to the life and ministry of Jesus (Yeshua). We explore how Passover is a feast of revival, with historical examples of major revivals in the Old Testament associated with Passover. The discussion also delves into the symbolic elements of Passover, such as the bitter herbs, unleavened bread, and the four cups of wine, and how they foreshadow and point to Jesus as the fulfillment of Passover. Additionally, the conversation touches on the historical development of the Passover Seder ritual and how it relates to the Last Supper and the institution of communion.
The practical implications for Gentile Christians celebrating Passover are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of including Jewish believers and maintaining the distinction between the obligations of Jews and the invitation to Gentiles.
This episode explores the biblical and historical context around the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus. Nic and David from the Center For Israel discuss:
* The tendency among Christians to "supersede" or overlook the importance of God's covenantal relationship with the Jewish people in the biblical narrative
* The debate around whether Gentile believers should adopt Jewish practices and traditions
* The historical context of the decisions made at the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, which exempted Gentiles from the requirement to follow Mosaic law while providing some guidelines for fellowship
* The importance of Gentile believers cultivating humility, relationship, and mutual interdependence with the Jewish community rather than attempting to replace or replicate Jewish identity and practices
Today, we talk with Dr. Jen Rosner, a Jewish follower of Yeshua (Jesus) and prolific author and professor. She explores the tensions and challenges she has faced in navigating her Jewish identity while following the Messiah and the importance of embracing them rather than seeking to resolve them entirely.
The discussion also highlights the need to honor the distinct identities of Jewish and Gentile believers in the Messiah and to avoid perpetuating a "two-class society" where Gentiles feel “less than.” The conversation emphasizes the richness that comes from diverse expressions of faith and the value of wrestling with difficult questions rather than seeking definitive answers. Let’s dive into a fantastic conversation full of incredible insights into the complexities of Jewish-Gentile relations within the Messianic movement.