Free will emphasized; God's love universal; no Calvinist double predestination
The Church of the Brethren affirm that God loves all humanity and desires the salvation of all. The denomination rejects Calvinist predestination and double predestination. Not all people are predetermined to be saved or damned; rather, God's grace is universal and available to all.
Free will is emphasized. Humans are capable of responding to God's call or rejecting it. God does not control human choice but provides grace enabling genuine decision. Predestination, if affirmed, is understood conditionally: God has foreseen who will respond to grace in faith.
The Church of the Brethren value communal discernment in understanding God's will. Rather than individual certainty about predestination, the denomination emphasizes community wisdom, corporate decision-making (through Annual Conference), and the ongoing guidance of the Spirit. Salvation is not a matter of irresistible force but of genuine human response to God's offer of grace.
Key Distinctions
- Election model:
- conditional — based on foreseen faith; not Calvinist election
- Double predestination:
- rejected — God does not predestine anyone to damnation
- Free will teaching:
- free will is genuine; humans truly choose to accept or reject grace
Scripture References
Sources
- Church of the Brethren Church Manual and theological statements
- Church of the Brethren Annual Conference Doctrinal Statements
- Anabaptist theological tradition (emphasis on free will)