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Question 6

Finny claims “from Genesis… the devil has engaged in a campaign to make you question the character of God”; where have you personally felt that suspicion toward God’s intentions, and how did theology (either Calvinistic or anti-Calvinistic) reinforce or heal it?

Another way to ask: Finny says the devil tries to make us doubt God’s character. Where have you felt suspicious of God’s motives, and did your theology (Calvinist or not) make that suspicion worse or help heal it?

Direct Answer The transcript teaches that suspicion toward God’s intentions is an ancient satanic strategy, beginning “in the garden,” and that distorted theology can intensify it by portraying God as punitive or arbitrary. Your personal experience isn’t in the transcript, but Finny’s framework suggests healing comes when theology restores the “loving father” picture and rejects readings that make God the source of evil or disappointment.

Support from Transcript:

Finny: “from the very beginning, from Genesis to our day now, the devil has engaged in a campaign to make you question the character of God… in the garden.”
He summarizes the suspicion: “Does God really want your best? Does he really have your best interests at heart?”
He connects this to images of God: many picture “a grumpy old man… out to get you,” and think God is “disappointed.”
He contrasts Jesus’ portrayal: the prodigal father “running to grab you and hug you and kiss you.”
Finny says Calvinism “impedes the character of God and it turns people from God.”
He later criticizes claims that make tragedies directly “from God” as missing the warfare context.

Discussion Follow-ups When you feel mistrust toward God, what specific thought about His character is being attacked (goodness, fairness, love)? Which Scripture passages most reliably rebuild your confidence in His intentions?

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