Was God caught by surprise by the death and resurrection of Christ?
No. God was not caught by surprise by Christ's death and resurrection. According to the Scriptures, the plan of redemption was already in place before the universe was created and before Adam existed. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day exactly as God had pre-planned.
Les explains from I Corinthians 15 that Paul preached what he also received: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Long before the world or universe was ever created, God already had the whole scheme of things laid out; He wasn't caught by surprise. The whole human experience was pre-planned, and the plan of redemption was already in place long before Adam was ever created. It was prophesied, and now all man has to do for salvation is believe it. Les also warns against any other gospel, because corrupting and perverting the pure gospel of grace brings eternal separation from God.