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Religion and Justice
Welcome to "Religion and Justice," a podcast brought to you by the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice at Vanderbilt Divinity School.
Hosted by Gabby Lisi (she/they/he) and George Schmidt (he/him/ours), we explore the intersections of class, religion, labor, and ecology, uncovering their implications for justice.
This podcast is a space for investigation, education, and organizing around these intersections. Join us as we engage in thought-provoking discussions with experts, fostering dialogue for actionable change.
Together, we navigate religion, justice, and solidarity for a more equitable future.
Religion and Justice
The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology with John and Samuel Munayer
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In this powerful discussion, hosts George Schmidt and Gabriella Lisi speak with John and Samuel Munayer about their new book, The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology Amid Gaza.
The conversation delves into the indigeneity of Palestinian Christianity, the metaphor of the olive tree as a framework for theology, and the importance of staying in the "long silence" of Holy Saturday during times of genocide and suffering.
Key Discussion Points:
- Theology as Resistance: Defining Palestinian theology as a form of resistance that affirms the reality of suffering while celebrating beauty, resilience, and joy.
- The Indigeneity of the Olive Tree: Using the olive tree—a symbol of land and family history—as a metaphor for an indigenous theology that resists colonial frameworks.
- St. George: Patron Saint of Palestine: Exploring St. George not as a colonial "dragon slayer," but as an indigenous martyr and liberative figure for both Christians and Muslims.
- The Three Spheres of "Olive Oil" Theology: * Church Oil: Theology for blessing and anointing.
- Olive Oil Soap: Academic work used to "cleanse" toxic colonial theologies.
- Lamp Oil: The "lived theology" of everyday people—farmers and grandmothers—providing light in darkness.
- The Silence of Holy Saturday: A reflection on the theological necessity of sitting with trauma and lament rather than rushing too quickly to the hope of Easter Sunday.
- Internal Critique and Pruning: The need for decolonizing the self and critiquing internal power structures to build a more fruitful movement.
Featured Book:
The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology Amid Gaza
https://orbisbooks.com/products/the-cross-and-the-olive-tree?srsltid=AfmBOooMNHj-iUV44Po5h7tBwYOqbJbpkkusCLBOVRiefn7bksgDu70B
Notable Contributors Mentioned:
- Foreword: Reverend Naim Atik and Auntie Sidr Da'abes.
- Yusuf Khoury: On "Teta" (grandmother) theology and the history of Gaza.
- Mara Sargi: Connecting the genocides in Guatemala and Palestine.
- Azemera Amori: Dialogue between Palestinian and Womanist/Black liberation theologies.
- Lama Mansoor: On the importance of divine imagination.
- Daniel Munayer: On the practicalities of reconciliation and liberation.
- Shadiah Kupty: Comparing Palestinian and indigenous theologies in Turtle Island.
About Religion and Justice
Religion and Justice is a podcast from the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice at Vanderbilt Divinity School. We explore the intersections of class, religion, labor, and ecology, uncovering how these forces shape the work of justice and solidarity. Each episode offers space for investigation, education, and organizing through conversations with scholars, organizers, and practitioners.
Learn more at religionandjustice.org
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