Robert explores a newly-discovered note in Galileo's personal copy of the Almagest and argues that the astronomer's worldview was shaped not by hostility to faith, but by a radical conviction that God—not the earth, the sun, the state, or even the Church—stood at the center of things. 

Along the way, he examines Galileo's relationship to the Bible, the legacy of the Reformation, and the Hebraic tradition's enduring skepticism toward human authority. At a moment when every ideology seeks to place something at the center of the universe, Galileo's forgotten prayer points toward a different possibility. 

Robert explains that, while political and military questions matter, they're just one part of a larger story—one involving history, religion, culture, language, and the messy relationship between Jews and Christians.

Along the way, Robert discusses the importance of humility, the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, and why understanding our brother may be the most important task of all.

Links:

"What Does It Mean to Support Israel?," Zealots at the Gate (June 3, 2026)

In this episode, Robert explores the paradox at the heart of the Judeo-Christian tradition: how two communities so deeply connected could become so deeply estranged.

In this episode, Robert explores the idea that Jews, Christians, and others who trace their deepest beliefs back to the Bible belong to a vast but invisible cultural community. Using an analogy from the Muslim world, he explains why he believes Jerusalem continues to exert a powerful influence on people far beyond the city itself—and why understanding our origins may help us better understand ourselves.

What is the Hebraic tradition? Why does Jerusalem continue to exert such gravitational pull on the imagination? And what does the rebirth of Hebrew culture mean for Jews, Christians, and the modern world?