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