LCMS theology affirms God's absolute sovereignty and election while maintaining that humans are genuinely responsible for rejecting God's grace. Romans 9:18-21 is interpreted to show God's sovereign power to save whom he will (those who believe), but human hardness of heart and rejection of God's Word is the cause of condemnation. The LCMS Formula of Concord teaches the doctrine of election as God's gracious predestination of believers, not double predestination.

The LCMS carefully distinguishes between God's omniscience (knowing all things from eternity) and predestination (determining salvation for the elect). God foreknows who will reject his grace and hardness of heart, but this is not God actively decreeing their damnation. The mysterious balance of divine sovereignty and human responsibility is affirmed without philosophical resolution.