Rejects Calvinist election; God foreknew those who freely respond in faith
Churches of Christ firmly reject Calvinist predestination, particularly the doctrines of unconditional election, irresistible grace, and limited atonement. These doctrines are regarded as making God unjust — arbitrarily selecting some for salvation while damning others for reasons unrelated to their choices. Salvation is genuinely offered to all, and individuals freely accept or reject the gospel.
The fellowship understands God's predestination in terms of his foreknowledge of those who would freely respond to the gospel in faith and obedience. Election is corporate (in Christ) rather than individual, and conditioned on faith. Alexander Campbell and subsequent Restoration Movement leaders were uniformly anti-Calvinist, and this remains the consensus across the fellowship.
Key Distinctions
- Election model:
- conditional election — God elects those he foreknows will believe (Arminian)
- Double predestination:
- denied — God does not predestine any to damnation
- Free will teaching:
- libertarian free will — prevenient grace enables genuine choice
Scripture References
Sources
- Alexander Campbell, The Christian System (1839)
- Alexander Campbell, The Christian System (1839)