Election conditional on foreseen faith; Arminian; human free will preserved
The Church of God (Cleveland) holds to Arminian theology regarding predestination and election. God's election is conditional, based on God's foreknowledge of who will believe. God foreknows all things, including human choices, yet preserves human free will. Prevenient grace — enabling grace that precedes salvation — is given to all, enabling genuine human choice and response to the gospel.
The Church rejects Calvinist double predestination (predestination to damnation) and affirms that salvation is genuinely possible for all. While God is sovereign and knows the future, this knowledge does not eliminate human responsibility. The believer is chosen in Christ as the ultimate object of election, and individual election is conditional upon faith response. This theology maintains both divine sovereignty and human freedom in a way that resonates with Wesleyan-Arminian tradition.
Key Distinctions
- Election model:
- conditional election — chosen in Christ; based on foreseen faith
- Double predestination:
- explicitly rejected — God does not predestine anyone to damnation
- Free will teaching:
- free will restored and enabled by prevenient grace; human response genuine
Scripture References
Sources
- Church of God in Christ Jesus Book of Doctrines and Discipline
- Church of God (Cleveland) statement on God's sovereignty and human freedom