Exam 3 - part 3

Question 1

How does Acts 2:23 relate to God’s plan?

Answer 1

It was God’s plan that Jesus would be delivered into the hands of wicked men to put Him to death.

Question 2

What are the nine points in Erickson’s discussion of the nature of God’s plan?

Answer 2

1. “God’s plan is from all eternity” (Erickson, p. 323). Isa. 22:11, Eph. 1:4.
2. God’s plan and decisions are free on His part. Humans have no input into God’s plan and He freely chose to create, but was not required to. 1 Cor. 2:16, Eph. 1;5.
3. The purpose of God’s plan is His glory. Eph. 1:5-6, Rev. 4:11.
4. “God’s plan is all-inclusive,” both the ends and the means (Erickson, p. 324). Eph. 1:11, Ps. 119:91.
5. “God’s plan is efficacious. What He has purposed from eternity will surely come to pass” (Erickson, p. 324). Isa. 14:24, 27.
6. God’s plan relates to His actions or decisions rather than His nature or personal attributes.
7. “God’s plan relates primarily to what God … does in terms of creating, preserving, directing, and redeeming.” God does not force humans to act in certain ways, but makes it “certain that they will freely act in those ways” (Erickson, p. 325).
8. The actions of humans are also included in God’s plan (Jn. 6:37, 44). Even unbelievers like Cyrus (Isa. 44:28).
9. “God’s plan is unchangeable in terms of its specifics” (Erickson, p. 326).

Question 3

What is the Calvinistic model of the divine plan of God?

Answer 3

“Calvinists believe that God’s plan is logically prior and that human decisions and actions are a consequence” (Erickson, p. 325).

Question 4

According to the Calvinistic model, is God’s plan conditional on what He foresees humans doing, or is it unconditional?

Answer 4

Unconditional.

Question 5

What is the Arminian model of God’s divine plan?

Answer 5

The emphasis is on human freedom. Romans 8:29 speaks of God’s foreknowledge, which Arminians believe means that God saves those He foreknew would believe. God’s plan is based on what He foresees will happen.

Question 6

What view does Erickson share with B. B. Warfield in regard to God’s plan and human free will?

Answer 6

A mild form of Calvinism called “congrusim” that says God works congruently with the will of humans. He presents powerfully appealing persuasion in the life of the believer so that he or she will freely act as God intends.

Question 7

Does God enjoy the destruction of the ungodly?

Answer 7

No, it brings Him sorrow. But He does choose to permit them to reject Him and disbelieve.