God's sovereign choice affirmed; Romans 9 supports conditional election not double predestination
The Church of God General Conference affirms God's sovereignty in Romans 9:18-21 while rejecting Calvinist double predestination. The COGC reads Paul as discussing God's foreknowledge of human faith responses and God's right to choose His people based on this foreknowledge. Pharaoh is presented as an example of someone who hardened himself in rebellion against God, and God permitted and used this hardening for divine purposes.
The passage affirms that God is sovereign and free, can act as God wishes, and that human beings are responsible for their choices. The passage does not teach that God predestines people to damnation regardless of their faith. Rather, God foreknows all things and acts in accordance with perfect knowledge, preserving genuine human freedom and responsibility.
Scripture References
Sources
- COGC Statement of Faith
- COGC theological writings on election