Between the Testaments

by David Syme Russell

Book Overview

In most Bibles the period between the Old and the New Testaments is represented by a single blank page which, perhaps, has symbolic significance. 'From Malachi to Matthew' has for long remained vague and unfamiliar to many readers of the Scriptures. Many mysteries remain, but in recent times much light has been cast on this whole period. Exciting new insights have been provided by the writings of numbers of scholars and by some remarkable archaeological...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800618564
• ISBN13: 9780800618568
• Release Date: January 1960
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Length: 182 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

The Religious Development of Judaism into Messianic Hope

"...covers the history, literature and thought of Judaism concisely, but clearly; both reliable and readable." H. Rowley Between Old Testament and the New: If you read the Old Testament, to better understand the New Testament writings, you may wonder what you ought to know about the years of silent Jewish history between the book of Malachi and the Gospel by Matthew, nearly four hundred years. Understanding this watershed period of history will set the stage for you to fully appreciate the events and teachings of the NT; - The Messianic hope, and prophecies. Why Israel was expecting a messiah? - What lay behind the conflict over Hellenization? In my Harper Collins NRSV Study Bible, this gap is restored, as was in the Septuagint, with the Apocryphal / Deutro-canonical Books of the Old Testament. These books have been always included in all Orthodox and Catholic Bibles, and at the turn of the Twentieth century, Anglicans would have considered a Bible incomplete without them. Between the Testaments: Russel's book, one in a rare category, explains the reaction of Judaism to the rise and spread of Hellenism, and who were the Maccabees who rallied against Hellenization to the point of revolt. He exposes the sects that grew up around the Temple and Synagogues, in the post-exilic period. How did the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essences, and Zealots relate differently to the Torah, influenced by the oral tradition, and the outside books. He then discusses the Apocryphal literature, and evaluates its historical authority and religious influence in the Qumran community and in early Christianity. In part two, he gives a treatise on the Apocalyptic tradition, prophecy, and pseudonymity. He then culminates in his scholarly survey of the Messiah in OT. He clearly explains the traditional messiah in the national Jewish concept, Davidic and Levitic. How the Messiah was conceived in the Dead Sea Scrolls, and how Jesus fitted in that role. Now he evaluates the growth of Jewish eschatology and its influence on messianic hopes. The apocalyptic Son of Man of Daniel, II Esdras, and Enoch, influenced by the Millennium interim kingdom, that crystallizes the son of Man as Messiah, the suffering servant of Isaiah. Theological Issues: Russell concludes with issues that, at the time of Jesus, were dividing the Pharisees from Sadducees on resurrection and life beyond. He treats this part with clarity from its OT historical origin, and development. He explains the concept of Sheol and final judgement that explains some Gospel teachings. The last part gives a glimpse of the resurrection body, and the relation of spiritual to physical body that makes Paul's teachings more vivid. Review by Author: "Many other subjects relevant to this inter-testamental period might have been dealt with, but the purpose of this book is selective rather than exhaustive, indicating the part which the apocalyptists had to play within the religious development of Judaism..."

Great introductory text...

This little book is a good place to start to get a grasp on what was happening during those mythical 400 years of 'silence' between the Tanakh and the writings that later became the New Testament. While Mr. Russell is undoubtedly writing from a Christian perspective, he writes quite simply and eloquently about a highly complex subject.This is a great place to start. He synthesizes the information well and shows the reader the larger picture. For more technical information, there are a host of other books out there. This is a good place to start before journeying down that road.

Very Inspiring

It was full of information that i did not know. It helped me understand the meaning of the Bible a little bit more. Thanks.