Varies: Calvinist election and Arminian prevenient grace both represented
Messianic Judaism does not have a unified position on predestination. Different congregations and leaders embrace different models of God's sovereignty and human free will. Some Messianic bodies, particularly those influenced by Reformed theology, affirm unconditional divine election and the perseverance of the elect. Other congregations hold to Arminian theology, emphasizing God's foreknowledge and human free will, with salvation available to all who believe.
The MJAA (Messianic Jewish Alliance of America) broadly represents evangelical Christianity and does not mandate a single position on this doctrine. Individual congregations and rabbinical leaders are free to teach either Calvinist or Arminian soteriology based on their theological commitments. This represents a deliberate openness to both perspectives, reflecting the diversity of Jewish thought and Christian theological traditions within the movement.
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
- MJAA Membership Standards
- UMJC Congregational Guidelines