Soli Deo Gloria: For the Glory of God Alone

The Messenger, March 11, 2010
The Synod of Dort

By BILL TANNER
Special to The Messenger
Recent articles have frequently mentioned Arminianism but never defined it.
Since it is by far the dominant religion of the churches of this area, and since so little seems to be known about it, now may be a good time to ask — What is Arminianism? Where did it come from? How is it different from the Reformed faith? And how did Arminianism come to displace the Reformed faith as the dominant Protestant religion in America?
James Jacob Arminius was a professor of theology at Holland’s University of Leyden.
He disagreed with the teaching of the Belgic Confession of Faith and the Heidelberg Catechism, the official expression of the doctrinal position of the church of Holland. 
In 1610, just one year after Arminius’s death, his followers drew up five articles of faith based on his teaching.
They presented these five doctrines to the state of Holland in the form of a Remonstrance (protest), and insisted that the Belgic Confession of Faith and the Heidelberg Catechism be changed to conform to the doctrinal views in the Remonstrance.
A synod composed of 86 religious leaders and scholars from eight nations assembled in Dort (or Dordrecht) for the purpose of examining the views of Arminius in light of scripture.
When the synod was convened by the States General of Holland on Nov. 13, 1618, each member took an oath to advocate nothing which he could not substantiate from scripture. There were 154 sessions, the last meeting May 9, 1619.
Early in the meeting the synod invited 12 Arminian leaders to make their case from scripture, which they refused to do. 
The synod divided itself into 18 committees to minutely examine every aspect of the Arminian articles of faith.
Failing to reconcile any of them with scripture, the synod voted unanimously to reject as unscriptural all five articles contained in the Remonstrance.  Feeling that rejection was just not sufficient, the synod then set forth their answers to the Arminian Remonstrance in what has become known as the Five Points of Calvinism. 
The difference between the Reformed faith (Calvinism) and Arminianism is not one of emphasis, but of content. Arminianism teaches that man is never so completely corrupted by sin that he cannot believe the Gospel, and that he is never so completely controlled by God that he cannot reject it. According to this system of theology, God elects those whom He foresees will believe of their own accord. 
Furthermore, Christ’s death did not ensure the salvation of anyone, but rather created the possibility of salvation for everyone if they believe.  Finally, Arminianism teaches that if believers fail to keep themselves in a state of grace, they fall away and are lost. Thus, Arminianism makes man’s salvation depend ultimately on man himself.
Reformed theology is built on a very different principle — the Biblical principle that “salvation is of the Lord.” Fallen man in his natural state (dead in sin) lacks all power to believe the Gospel. God’s election is a free, sovereign, unconditional choice of sinners, as sinners, to be redeemed by Christ, given faith and brought to Glory. 
Reformed theology teaches that the redeeming work of Christ had as its end and goal the salvation of the elect — Christ is a Savior who actually saves. The work of the Holy Spirit in bringing the elect to faith never fails to achieve its object, and believers are kept in faith and grace by the unconquerable power of God till they come to Glory.
(For a full explanation of this vitally important matter, send your name and address to John, P.O. Box 75, Union City, TN 38281.)     
Editor’s note: Bill Tanner, a retired farmer and businessman and a life-time resident of Union City, attends Grace Community Church in Union City.

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