BRIDGES TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

INTRODUCTION The OT period ended around 400 BCE Persia dominated the eastern world and allowed dispersed Jews to return No significant prophetic figures appeared among the Jews After Malachi, no literature was included in what was to become the OT canon. Between the end of the OT and the beginning of the NT, 400 years elapsed.

THE LITERARY BRIDGE

INTERTESTAMENTAL LITERATURE Although no biblical literature was produced between the Testaments, were is ample intertestamental literature. Major examples are: The Apocrypha (Deutero-canonical books) Mishnah Talmud Pseudepigrapha The importance Historical references Changes and shifts in theology and practice

THE APOCRYPHA From a word meaning “hidden” or “secret” Written in Greek after the end of OT history Not accepted as Scripture by Jews Includes several literary genres: Narratives Wisdom Religious fiction Rejected as Scripture by Protestant reformers Accepted as Scripture by the Catholic church at the Council of Trent in 1546 CE

THE MISHNAH AND TALMUD The Mishnah, meaning “repetition”, seeks to instruct Jews in how to live by the Torah. Based on oral tradition dating from as early as 400 BCE The Gemarah meaning “tradition” is a commentary on the Mishnah The Talmud meaning “teaching” is a combination of the Mishnah and Gemarah

THE TALMUD

THE PSEUDEPIGRAPHA Means “written under a false name” Some written before the NT; others, after. Sometimes called the “lost” books of the Bible and include works like: The Apocalypse of Adam 1&2 Enoch The Revelation of Moses The church considered them forgeries and never accepted them as scripture.

THE APOCALYPSE OF ADAM The revelation which Adam taught his son Seth in the seven hundredth year, saying, Listen to my words, my son Seth. When God had created me out of the earth along with Eve, your mother, I went about with her in a glory which she had seen in the aeon from which we had come forth. She taught me a word of knowledge of the eternal God. And we resembled the great angels, for we were higher than the God who had created us and the powers with him, whom we did not know. http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/adam.html

THE RELIGIOUS BRIDGE

THE RISE OF RELIGIOUS PARTIES Developed after the time after Ezra (±450 BCE) Marked the move from a fairly homogeneous society to a more diverse one Two general tendencies: Traditionalists Sought a return to the roots of faith Became the nucleus for the Maccabean revolt Accommodationists Sought to adapt to a changing society Favored the hellenization of Jewish society

THE SADDUCEES Developed from Jews who favored hellenization (the move to make Jews more like the Greeks) Seen as being favorable to the ruling powers Associated with the aristocracy Religious beliefs included: Free will over God’s sovereignty Argued against the resurrection and future life Denied spiritual beings Less legalistic with regard to the law

THE PHARISEES Arose out of the “holiness” movement (Hasideans) after the time of Ezra Adopted an extremely legalistic position with regard to the keeping of the law. Followed both written and oral law Looked for the coming of the Messiah Valued both free will and God’s sovereignty Believed in both angels and demons

THE ESSENES More conservative than the Pharisees Sought refuge in the Judean desert to wait for the coming of the Teacher of Righteousness Adopted a monastic lifestyle and followed ascetic practices Occupied themselves with the study and copying of Scripture Associated with the Qumran community and the production of the Dead Sea Scrolls

SCRIBES AND ZEALOTS Scribes: Zealots A professional title that could included both Sadducees and Pharisees. Charged with copying, reading, and interpreting Jewish law Zealots Extreme nationalists who sought to free the Jews from foreign political control. Could be considered a ‘terrorist’ organization because of their extreme politics and practices

THE POLITICAL BRIDGE

THE GREEKS Arrived in the Middle East with the advance of Alexander the Great in 334 BCE. Extended his empire from Greece to Egypt, Asia Minor and India. Returned to Babylon in 325 BCE and died two years later His empire was divided between four of his generals

RULERS OF EGYPT (PTOLEMYS) Ptolemy I founded the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt His control extended to Judea and Phoenicia Established a library in Alexandria The Ptolemeys eventually lost control of Judea to the Seleucids which became part of Syria Egypt annexed to the growing Roman empire after the end of the Roman civil war (30 BCE).

THE RULERS OF THE NORTH (SELEUCIDS) Establish by Seleucus I, one of Alexander’s generals. Antiochus III (the Great) was responsible for annexing Palestine from Egypt in 198 BCE. Antiochus IV began the hellenization of Palestine seeking to eradicate Jewish religion. Culminated when a statue of Zeus was erected in the Temple in Jerusalem in 167 BCE.

THE MACCABEAN REVOLT Led by the Jewish family of Mattathias and his sons Eventually regained control of Jerusalem and the Temple under Judas “the Hammer” (164 BCE) Rededicated the Temple area which became the basis for Hanukkah celebration The revolt gradually spread to include Edom and Galilee Judea gained full independence in 142 BCE

ROMAN RULE When civil war broke out in Judea, Pompey was sent to restore peace (63 BCE). Palestine passed into Roman control Two governors were appointed: Phasael over Judea and Herod over Galilee After Phasael’s death, Herod (the Great) assumed control over all of Palestine where he remained until his death in 4 BCE. After Herod’s death, his territory was divided between three of his sons: Philip, Herod Archelaus, and Herod Antipas

POLITICS AND THE GOSPELS The birth of Jesus Herod the Great – Matt. 2 Caesar Augustus – Lk. 2 Archelaus – Matt.3.21-23 The ministry of Jesus Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod (Antipas), Philip – Lk.3 The death of John the Baptist Herod (Antipas) - Matt. 14 The trial and crucifixion of Jesus Before Pilate – Matt. 27 Before Herod (Antipas) – Lk.23.6-12