What are the Canons of Dort?

The Canons of Dort (sometimes spelled Dordt) are the written conclusions of the Synod of Dort. In 1618 and 1619, Protestant theologians from several countries in Europe met to discuss the theology of Jacob Arminius (1560-1609) and his followers. The theologians at the meeting formulated the five points of Calvinism in the Canons of Dort. Later theologians summarized the Canons with the acronym TULIP—total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. The Canons of Dort made Calvinist doctrines on salvation the official teachings of the Dutch church over the objections of Arminian pastors.

John Calvin (1509-1564), a French theologian, led the Protestant Reformation in Geneva, Switzerland. His theology focused on God’s holiness, power, and control over the world. He wrote a work called The Institutes of the Christian Religion, which spread his interpretation of the Bible around the Protestant world. Calvin believed that human beings can only be saved from their sin through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection.

Furthermore, God must reveal to humanity their need for a savior. In Calvin’s theology, God does not reveal the need for a savior to all people. Thus, God chooses some human beings for salvation and passes over others. Theodore Beza (1519-1605) succeeded Calvin as the lead teacher in Geneva. Jacob Arminius studied under Beza in the 1580s. He became concerned with Beza and Calvin’s emphasis on God’s role in human salvation.

Arminius returned to his native country, the Netherlands, and served as a pastor and professor of theology. Calvinist critics accused him of disagreeing with the teachings of the Dutch church. Arminius influenced many pastors and students in the Netherlands. He emphasized the human being’s need to accept Jesus’ offer of grace for salvation from sins. Arminius believed that Jesus’ death and resurrection opened the possibility of salvation to all people. He reinterpreted the doctrine of election to mean that God foresaw who would respond to Him in faith and elected those who chose Him to salvation. The Dutch church split over God’s role in salvation. Did He choose some people for salvation? Did God offer His grace to all and await each person to respond?

Arminius died of an illness in 1609, but his followers continued the debate. In 1610, forty-three pastors published the Remonstrance. This was a formal description of the Arminian position, which emphasized human freedom in salvation. Calvinist and Arminian theologians wrote pamphlets and preached sermons defending their positions. Both sides could point to Bible verses and theologians in church history who seemed to support their cause. In 1618, the Dutch church decided to hold an official meeting, called a synod, to debate the matter. Theologians from the Netherlands, England, Scotland, Switzerland, and Germany met in the town of Dort to discuss the Bible’s teaching on salvation.

The theologians at the Synod of Dort wished to unify the Protestant churches around Europe. Catholic monarchies in Spain, France, Italy, and Germany threatened the Protestant nations. The Dutch had recently declared independence from Spain and needed a united country to gain their freedom. The majority of the delegates at Dort supported Calvin’s doctrine of salvation. They tried, however, to give some ground to the Arminian pastors by emphasizing the human need to repent and respond to God’s grace. The delegates disagreed over whether or not people could resist God’s grace and whether God offered salvation to all people.

The Canons of Dort supported Calvinist doctrines on salvation. Human beings were born sinful. God elected some people for salvation. When given the opportunity, human beings always responded to His grace with repentance. They persevere in their faith with God’s help. Ultimately, the Synod of Dort split Protestant churches into Calvinist and Arminian camps. Churches in the Netherlands, Switzerland, England, and Germany adopted the Canons of Dort. The debate, however, continued.

This division of Protestant churches remains today. Historically, the Presbyterian church has supported the Canons of Dort, whereas the Methodists have disagreed with them. Baptists, Anglicans, and non-denominational churches are split on the question. The debate over humanity’s role in salvation continues in churches, seminaries, and Bible studies. Nevertheless, the Canons of Dort mark an important stage in the debate between Calvinists and Arminians.