book excerpt: Fruits of the Synod of Dort

Fruits of the Synod of Dort

Although both the Arminians and Calvinists at this time were in agreement as to the church-state alliance, the Arminians had no desire to use the state to enforce their views upon their opponents, but only to protect their own freedom of conscience and practice. Even Calvinists admit that “the divines who composed the Synod of Dort generally held that the civil magistrate was entitled to inflict pains and penalties as a punishment for heresy” and that, in contrast, the Arminians advocated “toleration and forbearance in regard to differences of opinion upon religious subjects.”

Consider, for example, the fate of the four main leaders of the Arminian movement. John Uytenbogaert, who had studied at Geneva under Calvin’s successor, Beza, and served as chaplain to Prince Maurice (son and successor of William of Orange), was exiled after the Synod of Dort and had his goods confiscated. Simon Episcopius, a professor of theology and chief spokesman for the Arminians at Dort, was banished. John Van Oldenbarnevelt, who was advocate-general of Holland and a national hero for helping William of Orange negotiate the Union of Utrecht, was falsely charged with treason and was beheaded. Hugo Grotius, a famed lawyer known worldwide for his expertise in international law, was sentenced to life in prison but escaped and later became Swedish ambassador to Paris. 

What biblical basis could anyone propose for exacting such penalties for a disagreement over doctrine? If the Calvinists could be so wrong in so much that is so important, might they not also be wrong in some basic theological assumptions? Yet in spite of a complete misunderstanding of and disobedience concerning such vital and fundamental New Testament teachings as separation of church and state (John 15:14–21; 16:33; 1 John 2:15–17) and nonimposition of belief by force, these men are hailed as “great divines” and the doctrine they forcefully imposed on others is embraced as the truth of God—now called “the Reformed faith” and “the doctrines of grace”—to be accepted by all today. The church, once persecuted, now persecuted fellow believers!

Hunt, Dave. What Love is This? (pp. 119-120). The Berean Call. Kindle Edition.