Between the Testaments by Ferrell Jenkins

Comprehending the cultural backdrop of the New Testament era is essential in understanding various aspects of the biblical narrative. For instance, the awareness that certain Jews had embraced Hellenistic culture, adopting Greek customs and practices, sheds light on the tensions and conflicts that arose within the Jewish community. This cultural divide helps explain why some Jews regarded their Hellenized counterparts with disdain, deeming them traitors. Moreover, this knowledge enhances our understanding of complex situations like the one depicted in Acts 6, where cultural differences played a role.

The intertestamental period, often referred to as "the four hundred silent years," was far from silent in its impact on the development of biblical history and the world in which Jesus and the early Christian community emerged.

By Ferrel Jenkins