E77 The Cross and the Olive Tree: A Conversation with John and Samuel Munayer

E77 The Cross and the Olive Tree: A Conversation with John and Samuel Munayer🧑🏽 Your Host, Bruce Reyes‑Chow

Rev. Bruce Reyes‑Chow is a 3rd‑generation Filipino/Chinese American speaker, writer, and coachsultant exploring topics of faith, leadership, activism, culture, race, and technology. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), he is the author of six books, most recently Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith. He and his wife live in San Jose, CA, surrounded by too many animals and houseplants.

✊🏽 About Our Guests

John Munayer is a Palestinian theologian from Jerusalem and holds degrees from King’s College London, the University of Edinburgh, and VU University Amsterdam. John is currently involved in interreligious activism and the founder and editor of the Journal of Palestinian Christianity at the Bethlehem Bible College. He is also a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh, researching the political theology of the Palestinian laity in relation to the Holy Fire ceremony.

Samuel Munayer is a Palestinian theologian from Jerusalem and holds degrees from Durham University and Exeter University. Samuel works as an advocacy and access officer for a humanitarian organisation that works in Gaza and the West Bank.

He recently co-authored with John the article entitled, “Decolonising Palestinian Liberation Theology: New Methods, Sources, and Voices.”

🎧 Episode Summary

In this episode of the Amalgamation Podcast, Bruce Reyes-Chow sits down with Palestinian theologians John and Samuel Manay. Hailing from Jerusalem, both are accomplished in their respective academic journeys and have co-authored the article 'Decolonizing Palestinian Liberation Theology.' They discuss their latest book, 'The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology Amid Gaza,' and share insights on the importance of the olive tree, the concept of Nakba, and the unique nature of Palestinian theology. The episode also touches on their personal backgrounds, the influence of their diverse upbringing, and their joint efforts to contribute to their community’s theological discourse. Despite the challenges, including the ongoing violence in Gaza, they emphasize building a resilient and collaborative future.

🔗 Episode Links & Resources

• The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology Amid Gaza,
• an article we co-wrote Decolonising Palestinian Liberation Theology: New Method, Sources, and Voices, and the Journal of Palestinian Christianity.

🎙Thanks for Listening!

💌 The Amalgamation Podcast, paired with The Amalgamation Newsletter, focuses on social justice, pop culture, digital community, left-leaning faith, and more. With humor, kindness, and conviction, each episode shares passions and projects and invites the listener to join Bruce and his guests to co-conspire for good. It is hosted by Bruce Reyes-Chow, produced by Emmie Hix, and edited by Dessiree McFarland, with music by Merissa Magdael-Lauron. Show inquiries can be sent to: [e-mail].