Episode 218: Lessons from Dort — Finding Unity in Divisive Times — Jason Ruis
“It’s my dream and desire that we would see the same thing begin to happen in our day in the Christian Reformed Church. That after the fighting and turmoil and overtures and discipline—all things that were good and necessary—we will begin the process of building. It’s my desire that all of the work of the past years would pave the way for us to begin creating tools and materials that will transform the CRCNA not just right now, but for generations to come.” —Jason Ruis
Summary of This Episode
For the full manuscript of this talk, go here.
The history of the Synod of Dort offers powerful lessons for today's Christian Reformed Church in North America. Beyond simply learning from past failures, studying this pivotal moment in Reformed history provides two additional benefits: a sense of fellowship with those who came before us and reassurance that our current struggles echo historical patterns of reformation.
The events leading to the Synod of Dort began with Jacobus Arminius, a professor at Leiden University whose theological positions raised concerns among Reformed leaders. Though Arminius never outright denied Reformed doctrines, he certainly skirted around them. Within a year of his appointment, theological tensions erupted into public debate, leading to pamphlet wars and divisive exchanges that feel remarkably familiar to contemporary church conflicts.
Franciscus Gomarus, another theology professor at Leiden, became Arminius's primary opponent. Critics called Gomarus intolerant, rigid, too blunt, and fanatical – labels that continue to be applied to those standing for doctrinal fidelity today. Both sides accused each other of being overly political, with the Arminians advocating for greater theological diversity and local autonomy in doctrinal matters.
The Arminians sought tolerance for various theological positions on what they considered non-essential points of doctrine. They argued against strict subscription requirements and claimed that the Synod of Dort was predetermined in its outcome. These arguments mirror contemporary calls for broader theological latitude within Reformed denominations.
It took fifteen years from when Arminius first made his views public until the Synod of Dort officially condemned those views – a reminder that ecclesiastical processes require patience. Though Arminius died a decade before the Synod, his followers continued advocating through the Five Articles of the Remonstrance, promoting conditional election, universal atonement, non-total depravity, resistible grace, and uncertain perseverance.
The Synod of Dort gathered delegates from across the Reformed world and met for over 150 sessions spanning six months through the winter of 1618-1619. Its purpose was to establish a broad Reformed consensus and make definitive statements addressing each point of Arminian theology.
The Synod featured diverse personalities working together toward a common goal. The fiery Gomarus, known for his passion and occasional harshness, played a crucial role in holding fast to Reformed doctrine and inspiring others to stand firm. Johannes Bogerman, who presided over the Synod, balanced strong theological convictions with a peaceable demeanor. The English delegation provided a moderating influence, softening some of the characteristically blunt Dutch approaches.
After multiple drafts and thorough debate, the Canons of Dort received unanimous approval on April 23, 1619. All delegates signed the document, and pastors, professors, and teachers throughout the Dutch Reformed churches were required to affirm the Canons or face dismissal – resulting in about 200 removals.
Far from being merely academic, the Canons of Dort are profoundly pastoral. They speak of assurance coming not through intellectual inquiry but through spiritual joy and holy delight in the fruits of election. They declare God's unchangeable love for His elect, promising that nothing – not even the gates of hell – can prevail against His church. The Canons beautifully describe how God penetrates our inmost being, opens closed hearts, softens hard hearts, and makes dead hearts alive through His undeserved mercy.
Two significant outcomes followed the Synod of Dort: unity and building. Once doctrinal clarity was established, the Dutch Reformed Church experienced true unity with a clear Reformed identity. This foundation enabled the Further Reformation – a period of applying Reformed teaching to all areas of life and deepening spiritual piety. Leaders like Gomarus and Bogerman, having secured doctrinal foundations, turned to creating the Dutch Bible translation that would profoundly influence Dutch language and culture for generations.
The Christian Reformed Church today stands at a similar juncture. After years of theological conflict and necessary disciplinary processes, the opportunity exists to build upon clarified foundations. There is a renewed hunger throughout the denomination to understand our confessions – not just the Heidelberg Catechism and Belgic Confession, but also the Canons of Dort.
The prayer and vision for the CRCNA mirrors what followed Dort: that after the necessary doctrinal battles, we will experience true unity and begin creating resources that will transform the denomination for generations to come. Just as the Further Reformation built upon Dort's theological clarity, today's CRCNA can build upon its renewed commitment to Reformed orthodoxy, creating a lasting legacy of biblical fidelity and spiritual vitality.