In this interview Skyler interview Dr. Tyler Stewart on the time between the Old and New Testament often referred to as the Second Temple period. This is an often overlooked period that has tremendous impact on how we understand the Bible. Without it, it would be nearly impossible to enter the world of the New Testament. Dr. Tyler Stewart earned his PhD at Marquette University and is currently teaching New Testament at Lincoln Christian University.

Tyler's Recommended ResourcesNRSV Harper Collins Study BibleMatthias Henze, Mind the GapWarren Carter, Seven Events that Shaped the NT WorldSteve Mason, Josephus and the New TestamentJames VanderKam, Dead Sea Scrolls TodayKenneth Schenk, A Brief Guide to Philo

Notes:

1. Three Biggest discoveries

• Learning Greek and Hebrew
• The Unity of the Bible
• Studying Second Temple Judaism

2. Four Reasons why we shouldn't call the period between the Old & New Testament years of silence

• This is a period of explosive literary production.
• The Jews then thought God was still speaking to his people. 
• This was an important time for the formation of the Old Testament.

3. Five Major events

• Death of Alexander the Great (323 BCE)
• Ptolemaic Rule (301–200 BCE); the Old Testament is translated into Greek 
• Seleucid Rule (200–167 BCE) 
• Hasmonean Dynasty (166–63 BCE)
• Roman Rule (63 BCE)