God's Strategy in Human History: Discussion Questions

Dennis McCallum and Gary DeLashmutt

This book by Forster and Marsdon, takes a provocative and, we think, persuasive approach to the question of unconditional election and the exegesis of Romans 9. We have our students read the book and prepare responses to these statements, interacting with the scripture cited. All but # 5 are indisputably true, contrary to what many Arminian believers think.

God does whatever He wants to do, contingent only upon Himself. (Deuteronomy 32:39; Psalm 135:6; Isaiah 46:9,10; Daniel 4:35; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 11:34)
God rules over the details of life. (Proverbs 16:33; Matthew 10:29,30; Compare Luke 12:6 and Ephesians 1:11)
God overrules human will. (Romans 9:15-16,18; Proverbs 21:1; Acts 16:14; Revelations17:17; Philippians 2:12,13; 2 Samuel 15:31-17:14; Psalm 33:10-11; Proverbs 19:21)
God ordains evil in order to accomplish redemptive or judgmental purposes. (Acts 2;23; Isaiah 45:7; Acts 4:27,28; Proverbs 16:4)
The following passages show that free will is not instrumental in salvation. (John 6:37, 44, 65; Acts 13:48; Romans 9:16; Jude 4; Ephesians 1:3-4; John 15:16; 1 Peter 2:8; Galatians 1:15; Luke 1:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

Assess the relevance of the following passages relative to the Calvinism vs. Arminianism question

1 Timothy 2:4
1 Peter 1:1,2
John 6:70
2 Peter 3:9
Epheians 1:4,5
Matthew 23:37
Romans 8:29
Luke 7:30
John 12:32*