The 400 Years of Silence Were Not Silent! The Missing History Between Old & New Testament

Most Christians have heard that there were “400 years of silence” between the Old and New Testaments. But what if that is not only historically incomplete, but wrong!? In this episode of Her Theology, I speak with Dr George Athas, Director of Research at Moore Theological College and author of the new book, Bridging the Testaments. George unpacks what was really happening between Malachi and Matthew — the return from exile, Davidic hope, foreign empires, the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the rise of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and why this history matters for understanding Jesus. This episode helped me realise how much context I had been missing when reading the Gospels. The Pharisees, Sadducees, priests, temple, prophecy and messianic hope did not come out of nowhere. George’s book: Bridging the Testaments: The History and Theology of God’s People in the Second Temple Period Topics covered: Were there really 400 years of silence? What happened between Malachi and Matthew? Why Davidic hope mattered so much How biblical books were written, edited and compiled Where the Pharisees and Sadducees came from Why Jesus’ conflict with the priests was so politically and theologically loaded Why revelation has now ceased in Christ Buy Georges book from all major Christian retailers.