Between the Old Testament and the New Testament writings in our Bibles, there were 400 years. They call it the Silent Period. It was anything but silent! Jewish writers, rabbis, and scholars were feverishly writing. They produced volumes of works interpreting, commenting, and expanding on the wisdom contained in the Hebrew Bible. Some were historical fiction, some proverbs and oracles, and others were interpretive commentaries, filling in the blanks to help their readers make sense of difficult theological concepts in their newfound Greco-Roman context. They were not Scripture, but they were useful, highly prized, and widely read. Jesus read them. So did Paul, Jude, Peter, and the other apostles. We know this because ideas, concepts, and even direct quotations show up in many of the New Testament writings! They're under the surface, but once you spot them, it's undeniable! What are these ancient books, and why should we read them? Jump in - let's go!

Not every Bible is alike. If you look at a Protestant Bible, you'll find 66 books. That's what most of us are familiar with. But if you pick up a Catholic Bible, you'll discover 9 extra books! If you open an Orthodox Bible, you'll see 14 extra books! And if you happen to come across an Ethiopian Orthodox Bible, you might see up to 23 extra books! What are these books? Who wrote them? Should I read them - can I trust them - or should I be wary of them? These extra books are a collection of 2nd temple Jewish writings - and yes, you should read them! They are not Scripture, but they are valuable and important. The early Church called this collection the Deuterocanon - the 2nd canon. It later became known as the apocrypha, which means hidden. What are we to make of all this? That's what we're exploring today. Join us as we dive into this fascinating body of sacred work - the apocrypha!

Sometimes we view the Old Testament in our Bibles like Grandma's attic. We don't think about it. Sometimes we even forget that it's there! But when we go up there, we find some really cool stuff! In today's episode, we want to dispel that notion. The Bible is one story that points to Jesus. Let's stop calling it the Old Testament. Let's call it what it is - the Hebrew Bible! Like all those Star Wars prequels, the Hebrew Bible is part of the story! It gives us context - it fills in the blanks. It shows us how God has constantly and faithfully worked through time to bring us to where we are today - and to take us where we are destined to go - into a forever life surrounded by the presence of God! So, how did we get this part of our story? Where did these books come from? How were they assembled? How did they survive thousands of years? That's what we're exploring today. Come with us!