The BEMA Podcast

Episode 500: David Rudolph — Passover

Released: March 26, 2026
Host: Marty Solomon (A), with Brent Billings (B)
Guest: Rabbi Dr. David Rudolph (C)

Episode Theme & Purpose

This special 500th episode features an in-depth interview with Rabbi Dr. David Rudolph, exploring the historical controversy around the dating of Passover and Easter, the development of Christian-Jewish relations, and the broader implications for unity and practice within the church. Dr. Rudolph shares his research into the so-called Quartodeciman controversy, the Council of Nicaea, and how Christian and Jewish communities diverged in their traditions and calendars. The discussion is timely for listeners as Passover and Easter approach, connecting ancient debates to contemporary practice and interfaith understanding.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Celebrating 500 Episodes and Community News (00:00–07:05)

• The episode opens with the hosts celebrating 10 years and 500 episodes of the podcast.
• Special announcement:
  • First-ever live BEMA podcast event will be held in Boise, Idaho, on July 30th at Cathedral of the Rockies, Amity Campus (02:12).
  • Tickets will go on sale May 6th for around $89–$109.
  • The event is an experiment aiming for fun and connection with listeners.

2. Introduction to Rabbi Dr. David Rudolph (08:27–13:54)

• Dr. Rudolph's background:
  • Raised as a Messianic Jew, educated at Gordon Conwell and Cambridge.
  • PhD thesis focused on 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 in the context of Second Temple Judaism.
  • Academic focus: Second Temple Judaism, Messianic Jewish studies, and the origins of the Christian-Jewish divide.
    • “We really did not have any New Testament scholars who represented the Messianic Jewish community...” (10:43)
  • Notable projects: Introduction to Messianic Judaism (book), monograph A Jew to the Jews, and editing the upcoming Messianic Study Bible.

3. Setting the Historical Stage: Passover, Easter, and Early Church Unity (15:17–24:16)

• Early Mix of Practice
  • Jesus and early followers were Jewish; Gentile believers joined later, initially sharing close fellowship (15:17).
  • Passover was significant for both groups but handled differently, particularly after the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), which exempted Gentiles from Torah obligations, including Passover (16:42).
• Polycarp & Early Gentile Tradition
  • Polycarp, a Gentile disciple of John, observed Pascha on Nisan 14, aligning with Jewish reckoning (19:47–21:58).
    • “For Polycarp, having it on Nisan 14 was the Apostolic example.” (21:58)
  • Disagreements with Rome’s bishop (Aniketos) over timing, but differences handled with mutual respect at this early stage.

4. Fracture and the Evolution of the Controversy (24:26–34:22)

• After the Bar Kochba Revolt (135 CE):

  • Exile of Jews (including Jewish bishops) from Jerusalem led to Rome emerging as the central influence.
    • “What we lose is the centrality of Jerusalem as kind of like the mother community...” (24:26)
  • Tensions escalate:
    • 190 CE: Bishop Victor of Rome tries to excommunicate Asian churches for celebrating on Nisan 14 rather than following Rome’s Sunday tradition.
    • For over a century, church regions remain divided (“quarto deciman” vs. Sunday observers).

• Gentile Pascha Practice

  • Marked differences in celebration: Gentile Christians used leavened bread, did not observe an unleavened week, etc. (32:48–33:03).
  • Still, many kept the name “Pascha” and felt connected to Jewish roots by fixing the date to Nisan 14.

5. Council of Arles and Council of Nicaea (34:22–39:42)

• Council of Arles (314 CE):
  • Effort to unify celebration on the Roman bishop’s schedule—Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox.
  • This mathematical formula intentionally breaks the dependence on the Jewish calendar.
• Council of Nicaea (325 CE):
  • Constantine elevates the dating of Easter/Passover as one of two central council agenda items.
  • Notable Quote—Constantine via Eusebius (read by Marty, 37:59):

    “Let us then have nothing in common with that detestable Jewish crowd, for we have received from our Savior a different way...” (38:22)

  • Constantine’s rhetoric reveals explicit anti-Jewish sentiment and formalizes the parting of ways.

6. Implications of the Nicaea Decision & Its Legacy (39:42–47:33)

• Dr. Rudolph: The decision at Nicaea, while clarifying on Christology, had tragically antisemitic impact, reverberating through centuries (39:42).
  • “My purpose... is not to bash the church... but to recognize that this happened...” (41:15)
• The shift:
  • Moves from disagreement to explicit exclusion: “Let us then have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd” (42:43).
  • Hardening of boundaries and loss of unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians.

7. Contemporary Application and the “With Them” Principle (47:33–53:03)

• Deicide charge and antisemitism:
  • Continuing need to reject claims that ‘the Jews killed Christ’, recognizing collective guilt as unbiblical and harmful (43:04).
  • True repentance means actively opposing antisemitism; being vigilant during seasons like Easter and Passover.
• Unity amidst Distinction:
  • Early church celebrated differently but aimed for unity, modeled by the phrase with them (Epiphanius).
  • Brent Billings: “I don’t have to celebrate the Passover festival in the same way because I don’t have that covenantal purpose... but I should celebrate it in unity.” (48:18)
  • Dr. Rudolph’s advice: Gentile Christians can honor the historic connection by observing with, rather than instead of or apart from, Jewish communities—especially in Messianic settings (53:03).

    “Do Jewish things with Jewish people.” (50:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On early unity
  • “For this was their chief and entire concern, the one unity, so that there would be no schisms or divisions.”
    —Epiphanius, quoted by Dr. Rudolph (49:51)
• On Council of Nicaea’s legacy:
  • “There is a quick impulse to just want to fix the problem and miss the actual problem, which is something we still live around and live with today.”
    —Marty Solomon (42:50)
• Advice on practice today:
  • “If a Gentile Christian feels led by the Lord to celebrate Passover… my suggestion would be that there’s a great deal of wisdom in then finding a local Messianic Jewish congregation... and join in their Passover seder if, you know, if they extend the invitation.”
    —Dr. Rudolph (50:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Live event announcement & ticket info: 00:00–07:05
• Intro to guest and his background: 08:27–13:54
• Origin of Passover/Easter controversy: 15:17–24:16
• Bar Kochba, loss of Jerusalem centrality, and the schism over dating: 24:26–34:22
• Councils of Arles and Nicaea—Constantine's rhetoric: 34:22–39:42
• Historical and theological implications—antisemitism, unity: 39:42–47:33
• Takeaways for today—how to approach Passover as Christians: 47:33–53:03
• Resources, guest’s website, and closing remarks: 53:40–54:51

Where to Learn More & Connect

• Rabbi Dr. David Rudolph’s website: rabbidavid.net (53:40)
• Recommended reading and resource links will be in the show notes.
• Dr. Rudolph teaches at The King’s University, Dallas—courses in person and potentially online for those interested (53:53, 55:24).

Episode Tone & Language

The conversation is thoughtful, open, and scholarly, balancing historical critique with a spirit of humility and a longing for greater unity among Christian and Jewish communities. The hosts and Dr. Rudolph encourage learning from history rather than feeling shame, inviting listeners to deeper understanding and practical steps toward reconciliation and shared celebration.

Summary compiled for listeners seeking a deeper understanding of Christian origins, the Jewish roots of Christian practice, and lessons for contemporary faith and interfaith relationships.