Promised Land

Welcome to the (at least for now) final episode of “Promised Land,” CT’s limited series on the Israel-Hamas war. This episode is a little different—instead of host Mike Cosper talking to Christians, Muslims, and Jews around the world, he’s the one answering questions. Clarissa Moll, producer of CT’s The Bulletin, interviews Cosper about his experience of hosting the series. Cosper shares what drew him to this project, how he sees its value within the rest of CT’s reporting, and why he selected his specific interviewees. He and Moll discuss how Christian perspectives on Israel and Palestine have shifted in recent years. They consider the impact of the fog of war on the podcast and address critical feedback of “Promised Land,” specifically listener responses that say the show has ignored human rights violations committed by Israel and not acknowledged the failures of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Tune in for an episode that dives deep into the nuances of the Israel-Palestine relationship, and speaks clearly to ways that Christians can pray for their brothers and sisters in the Middle East. “Promised Land” is a limited series exploring the moral, spiritual, and political challenges presented by the Israel-Hamas war. Host Mike Cosper (The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill) takes listeners with him to locations across the US, Israel, and Palestine, bringing you into the homes, lives, and stories of people for whom this conflict is their everyday experience. Listen to More in This Bonus Series: Making Sense of the Israel-Hamas War Antisemitism and the Jewish Identity Hamas and the Laws of War Terrorism and the Road to War It’s Complicated The Zionist Story Rocks in Hard Places: From the Foundation Stone to Living Stones Empire of Refugees: Victims, Villains, and Settler Colonialism Settlers, Sacred Cows, and the Temple “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Produced by Erik Petrik Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Mike Cosper Field Recording by Michael Winters Additional Production by Matt Stevens and Clarissa Moll Music by Dan Phelps Additional Music by David LaChance, Jr. Theme Song “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks” performed by Sandra McCracken Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Promised Land: A Bulletin Miniseries, host Mike Cosper visits Ashkelon, home of the ancient Philistines, just a few miles north of the Gaza border. Through conversations centered around Barzilai Medical Center, Cosper explores why the West requires Israel to play by different rules when it comes to defense and modern warfare. Weaving history with present day narratives, he posits compelling questions: Why is the West so quick to blame Israel for colonialism? Why does compromise on both sides – Israeli and Palestinian – often feel like treason? What are the stories each side is telling about themselves and about the other? And, can peace ever be achieved when one side becomes the absolute victim? Listen in for compelling commentary on the history of this contested land, a land where everyone claims to be a refugee. Promised Land is a limited series exploring the moral, spiritual, and political challenges presented by the Israel-Hamas War. Host Mike Cosper (The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill) takes listeners with him to locations across the U.S., Israel, and Palestine, bringing you into the homes, lives, and stories of people for whom this conflict is their everyday experience. Executive Produced by Erik Petrik Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Mike Cosper Field Recording by Michael Winters Additional Production by Matt Stevens and Clarissa Moll Music By Dan Phelps Additional Music By David LaChance, Jr. Theme Song “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks” performed by Sandra McCracken Listen to More in This Bonus Series: Making Sense of the Israel-Hamas War Antisemitism and the Jewish Identity Hamas and the Laws of War Terrorism and the Road to War It’s Complicated The Zionist Story Rocks in Hard Places: From the Foundation Stone to Living Stones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Promised Land, host Mike Cosper visits Shalom Hotel in Jerusalem to meet with Zionist Jews who have fled their homes after October 7. Digging beneath the facade of popular thought, Cosper explores the roots, identity and inspiration of Zionism. Interviews with Yossi Klein Halevi, author and former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Michael Oren, Rabbi Yehiel Poupko, and others paint a fuller picture of Jewish connection to the land of their ancestors – and why this longing often has sparked controversy. Promised Land is a limited series exploring the moral, spiritual, and political challenges presented by the Israel-Hamas War. Host Mike Cosper (The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill) takes listeners with him to locations across the U.S., Israel, and Palestine, bringing you into the homes, lives, and stories of people for whom this conflict is their everyday experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices