Mae Elise Cannon Won’t Look Away from Violence in the Middle East
Sensitivity Warning: This episode includes discussion of war, violence, genocide, and human suffering. Some of these topics are explored in personal and vivid detail and may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.
As we mark three years since October 7, 2023, it is more important than ever for Christians to remember that following Jesus means mourning with those who mourn and paying the high price for peace.
In this episode of The Disrupters, Caleb Campbell sits down with the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, to grapple with Christian complicity in global violence, the privilege of looking away, and the high cost of following the Prince of Peace.
Together, Caleb and Mae challenge the binary thinking that reduces complex conflicts to heroes and villains, which dehumanizes people made in the image of God. Mae shares heart-wrenching stories about the daily reality of families living in fear of the next missile strike. She challenges listeners to consider how their money, politics, and silence contribute to cycles of destruction, and what a gospel of good news actually looks like for those in the rubble.
Mae offers practical guidance in this episode: how to faithfully witness suffering, how to pray through feeling overwhelmed, how to engage with peacemaking long-term, and how to radically love your enemies.
Join Mae, Caleb, and The Disrupters in refusing to look away from suffering.
This episode highlights the following themes:
- American complicity and Christian responsibility in global injustice
- The privilege of looking away and the biblical mandate not to
- The intersection of power, justice, fear, and the way of Jesus
- Stories of courage, peacemaking, and paying the high cost for peace
Links from the episode:
- Learn more about Mae Elise Cannon
- Read Mae Cannon’s book, Beyond Hashtag Activism
- Learn more about Churches for Middle East Peace
- Check out Mae Elise Cannon’s Substack for her latest writings
- Learn more about The Disrupters
- Learn more about Caleb Campbell
- Read Caleb Campbell's book, Disarming Leviathan
- Read the transcript here
Credits:
✅Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPDISRUPT40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.
✅Producers: Jack Reece, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton
✅Assistant Producer: Christine Pelliccio Melo
✅Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts
✅Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne
✅Podcast Art: Kate Lillard
✅Theme Song: "Sneakerhead" by Ghost Beatz
Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
