This week on The God Squad, Dillon Naber Cruz and Desimber Rose sit down with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, the acclaimed Jewish scholar and author of On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World. In a time when public apologies are often little more than PR damage control, Rabbi Ruttenberg brings ancient Jewish wisdom to a modern crisis of accountability.

Drawing from the teachings of the medieval philosopher Maimonides, Rabbi Ruttenberg explains what real repentance actually requires—truth-telling, repair of harm, and meaningful transformation—not just empty words. Together, Dillon and Desimber explore how these principles apply not only to personal relationships but also to public life, politics, institutions, and faith communities.

If you’ve ever wondered what genuine accountability looks like in a culture that often avoids it, this conversation offers both challenge and hope.

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What Happens When Foreign Wars Get a Bible Verse?

This week, Dillon’s seat is being held down by author and theologian Matthew J. Distefano, who joins Desimber to unpack a week where geopolitics apparently came with a side of Revelation commentary.

First up: the newly launched war with Iran, which has already escalated across the region after coordinated U.S.– Israel strikes triggered retaliation and widening conflict in the Middle East. But the real theological curveball? Reports from service members say some commanders are telling troops the conflict is part of “God’s divine plan” and tied to biblical end-times prophecy. In other words, apparently foreign policy is now being drafted somewhere between the Pentagon and the Book of Revelation.

Then we turn to the latest primary results, including the closely watched Texas Senate primary, where state Rep. James Talarico emerged as the Democratic nominee after defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett in a race that drew national attention and could reshape the political map in a state long considered untouchable for Democrats. If Texas starts shifting, the political earthquake will be felt all the way to Washington.

We’ll dig into the uncomfortable question underneath it all: What happens when Christian Nationalism starts shaping foreign policy, war narratives, and electoral politics? Also joining the conversation is Matthew J. Distefano, author and voice behind some of the sharpest critiques of toxic theology today.

Together we’ll explore how faith can inspire justice and compassion — without turning geopolitics into a prophecy chart. Because when politicians start talking about Armageddon like it’s a strategic objective, somebody probably needs to open the Bible and remind them what Jesus actually said about peace.

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Dillon & Desimber are sitting down with author and podcaster Stuart Delony, creator of Snarky Faith and writer of the delightfully timely new book The Tribulation Survival Guide — because apparently, we’re all living in the group project from Revelation and nobody agreed to the assignment.

Stuart has built a following calling out toxic theology, spiritual manipulation, and end-times fear-mongering with wit, wisdom, and just enough holy sarcasm to keep it honest. In this episode, we’ll unpack why so many Christians are addicted to apocalyptic panic, what it actually means to survive spiritual chaos with your faith intact, and how snark might just be a spiritual gift.

If you’ve ever wondered whether we’re in the tribulation or just in late-stage capitalism with a Bible verse slapped on it — this one’s for you.

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