1a. Describe the Jews' view of God and their basic worldview in the intertestamental period. Concerned with practice, with orthopraxy rather than with right thoughts, the Jews held to all the essential characteristics of the Old Testament. However, concerted efforts have been made to restore traditional institutions. (Scott, Jewish background of the New Testament 2000:265) Furthermore, the maintenance, practice, and application of monotheism, covenant, and law, the three main pillars of Old Testament religion, made Intertestamental Judaism unique. The Jews viewed God distinctly on the basis of these three pillars. (Scott, Jewish backgrounds of the New Testament 2000:266) God was consistently recognized as Creator and the Being by whose providence the created order was sustained. The covenant God of Israel was the God who redeemed Israel for himself. However, some Jews adopted Hellenistic culture during captivity; but most Jews saw no need to prove the existence of their God. (Scott, Jewish background of the New Testament 2000, p. 266) Although they attempted to hold to the pillars of the Old Testament, there were other incidents crucial that...