Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 1
In Romans 9 Paul asks, “Why does he still find fault? For who has resisted his will?”—how does the speaker’s claim that this question comes from “an unbelieving Jew” (not an Arminian) change what you think the potter/clay imagery is doing in the argument?
Another way to ask: In Romans 9, if the question “Why does God still blame us?” comes from an unbelieving Jew instead of an Arminian, how does that change what you think the potter-and-clay picture is meant to show?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, the question in Romans 9 isn’t aimed at a free-will Christian arguing with God, but at an unbelieving Jew accusing God of unfairness—so the potter/clay imagery is about God’s right to show mercy beyond Israel (especially to Gentiles), not about God arbitrarily predestining individuals with no human response.
- The speaker says Calvinists misidentify the “old man” as an Arminian: “No, he’s talking to this unbelieving Jew who’s saying God has been unfair.”
- He explains Romans includes Paul “tak[ing] on the persona of an unbelieving Jew” and “carry[ing] on a dialogue.”
- The rebuke “who are you to answer back to God?” is directed at the Jew “complaining… that God is being gracious to the Gentiles.”
- The point becomes: “God can be gracious whoever he wants.”
- The potter image is then tied to God making Gentiles into “a vessel that is worthy.”