This month, we’re joined by Dr. Malinda Berry, Rev. Dr. Shannon Smythe, Rev. Dr. J. Ross Wagner, and Rev. Emilee Walker-Cornetta to talk about what Rev. Prof. Mitri Raheb calls the “software” of the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Israel relies on two things to sustain its illegal occupation of Palestine—hardware and software. The hardware is the weapons and other forms of military aid sent to Israel. But what is the software? It is the theological messaging that manufactures consent for Israel’s many war crimes, including the ongoing forced starvation of children, women, and men in Gaza. This theological messaging is both consciously and unconsciously woven into the curriculum of many seminary and theology schools in the U.S.

Resources mentioned:

Theology after Gaza: a global anthology ed. Mitri Raheb and Graham McGeoch, purchase from Wipf and Stock

The cross and the olive tree: cultivating Palestinian theology amid Gaza ed. by John S. and Samuel S. Munayer, purchase from Orbis Books 

Being Christian after the desolation of Gaza ed. By J. Ross Wagner and Bruce Fisk, purchase from Wipf and Stock

Faith misplaced: the broken promise of U.S.-Arab relations, 1820-2001 by Ussama Makdisi, purchase from Hachett Book group

Artillery of heaven: American missionaries and the failed conversion of the Middle East by Ussama Makdisi purchase from Cornell University Press

The space between us: conversations about transforming conflict by Betty Pries, purchase from MennoMedia

Acts: A Theological Commentary on the Bible by Willie James Jennings, purchase from Rofhiwa Books

The end of theological education by Ted Smith, purchase from Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Israelism via Tubi

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Credits:

Original music: Karl Saint Lucy & Danny Frye (feat. Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac) - “The Path Forward”

Produced, written, and performed by: Karl Saint Lucy (ASCAP) & Danny Frye (BMI)

Featuring sampled speech by: Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac

Drums, mixing, and mastering: Danny Frye

Keyboards and programming: Karl Saint Lucy

Logo design: Dee Roberts