Bridging the Testaments, Part 2

The History and Theology of God’s People in the Second Temple Period

By: George Athas

Narrated by: Richard Littledale

An accessible introduction to the historical and theological developments between the Old and New Testament.

Bridging the end of the Old Testament period and the beginning of the New Testament period, this book surveys the history and theological developments of four significant eras in Israel's post-exilic history: the Late Persian Era (465-331 BC), the Hellenistic Era (332-167 BC), the Hasmonean Era (167-63 BC), and the Roman Era (63-4 BC). In doing so, it does away with the notion that there were four hundred years of prophetic silence before Jesus.

Bridging the Testaments outlines the political and social developments of these four periods, with particular focus on their impact upon Judeans and Samarians. Using a wide range of biblical and extra-biblical sources, George Athas reconstructs what can be known about the history of Judah and Samaria in these eras, providing the framework for understanding the history of God's covenant people, and the theological developments that occurred at the end of the Old Testament period, leading into the New Testament. In doing so, Athas shows that the notion of a supposed period of four hundred years of prophetic silence is not supported by the biblical or historical evidence. Finally, an epilogue sketches the historical and theological situation prevailing at the death of Herod in 4 BC, providing important context for the New Testament writings.

In this way, the book bridges the Old and New Testaments by providing a historical and theological understanding of the five centuries leading up to the birth of Jesus, tracking a biblical theology through them, and abolishing the notion of a four-century prophetic silence.

Tables, maps, and diagrams can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 George Athas (P)2023 Zondervan Academic

An Excellent Overview of Second Temple History

In "Bridging the Testaments: The History and Theology of God’s People in the Second Temple Period," George Athas provides a sweeping overview of the history that shaped the Jewish people during the five centuries that followed the Old Testament Exile. He points to the single page that often separates Malachi from Matthew and insists–quite convincingly–that there is much more there than meets the eye. Digging into the supposed “silent years” that separate the testaments, Athas explores the world powers that both came and went, all leaving their indelible marks on the self-understanding of the people of Judea and Samaria. He also dispels the notion that prophecy had ceased, offering numerous proofs for the ways that God was still active in the lives of His people.

Thorough in presentation, Athas discusses the historical backdrop of the Persian, Hellenistic, Hasmonean, and Roman eras, and specifically the ways they impacted the development of Jewish belief and practice. He explores the interplay of biblical and deuterocanonical sources, connecting historical events with biblical texts in ways that may surprise some readers. One of the things that becomes clear while reading is that the intertestamental period (as it is often referred to) is anything but silent, and understanding the events of that period is critical to properly understanding the New Testament. I would consider it essential reading for New Testament background studies, as it definitely helps place both the Old Testament and New Testament next to each other in a historical and theological continuity.

Still, one should not read this as a comprehensive overview of Jewish faith and practice in the post-exilic period, but as an important (even vital) piece of a larger puzzle. With the historical and theological backdrop provided here, I would also recommend "From the Maccabees to the Mishnah" by Shaye Cohen, "The Jewish People in the First Century" by Shmuel Safrai, "Judaism: Practice & Belief, 63 BCE–66 CE" by E.P. Sanders, and the excellent works of Lois Tverberg (among others). I am grateful for the additional insights that this work provides and recognize the unique contribution it makes toward understanding the intertestamental period. I would place it on my “must read” list for anyone wanting a clear picture of the world politics of the Second Temple Period. For a closer look at the cultural and theological development of the Jewish people in the same period, I would definitely recommend additional sources.