Community of Christ
Congregationalist (UCC)
Nuanced

God's mercy and sovereignty; no binding predestination doctrine

Disciples interpretation of Romans 9:18-21 affirms God's mercy and sovereignty while maintaining the denomination's Arminian-leaning heritage that emphasizes human response to the gospel. The passage is read as Paul's affirmation of God's ultimate authority and gracious choice, not as forcing a particular doctrine of predestination. The Restoration Movement explicitly rejected Calvinist determinism. Disciples theology holds that God's sovereignty and human freedom coexist in a way that respects both divine omniscience and human moral responsibility. The passage is accepted as Scripture but not used to establish a binding dogmatic position on predestination.

Key Distinctions

Divine sovereignty:
God's mercy affirmed
Human freedom:
Election type:
no binding doctrine; Arminian instinct

Scripture References

Sources

  • Disciples of Christ, Design of the Christian Church (1968)
  • Alexander Campbell, The Christian System