Jewish Views Q&A

1a. Describe the Jews’ view of God and their basic worldview in the Intertestamental Period. Concerned with practice, orthopraxy rather than right thoughts Jews held on to all the essential features of the OT. However, there were concerted efforts made to reinstate traditional institutions. (Scott, Jewish background of the New Testament 2000:265) In addition the retention, practice, and application of Monotheism, covenant, and law the three main pillars of OT religion made Intertestamental Judaism unique. The Jews viewed God distinctly based on 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 did not see a need to prove the existence of their God. (Scott, Jewish background of the New Testament 2000, p. 266) Even though they attempted to hold to the OT pillars, there were other crucial incidents t...