Differences in doctrine developed similarly in the Netherlands. The Dutch provinces had won their independence when a truce was agreed upon with Spain in 1609. In spite of the struggle for existence, the country had prospered. Manufacturing and commerce made great strides, and populations increased. Dutch sailors rivaled the English on all the seas. Dutch Protestantism was of the Calvinistic type, and Calvinistic doctrine was taught in the universities. In 1602 Jacob Arminius became a professor at the University of Leyden. A colleague charged him with being lukewarm in his attitude toward the doctrine of predestination and an investigation followed. This aroused discussion and a national synod was planned to settle the controversy when Arminius suddenly died. His sympathizers then issued a Remonstrance, appealing to the provincial governments of Holland and Friesland for toleration. In their statement, they opposed five items among the famous five points of Calvinism. They modified the theory of unconditional election of certain human beings by the sovereign will of God by saying that election was based on the divine foreknowledge of a person’s faith. They asserted that the atonement of Christ was not limited to the few elect but was universal in its scope for all who would accept it. Instead of affirming human helplessness, they believed in spiritual regeneration. Over against the doctrine of divine grace as irresistible, they set the resistibility of salvation. And where the Calvinist insisted on the perseverance of the elect, Arminians were doubtful about perseverance. At last in 1618 the long-awaited Synod met at Dort. Eighty-four theologians and numerous secular officials composed its membership. Only three Arminians were present, and they were dismissed after a plea for toleration.
Impact: The Synod published ninety-three canons and endorsed the Belgic Confession of 1561 and the Heidelberg Catechism. The Remonstrants were required to accept the canons, give up their churches, and retire from the country. After a few years, milder counsels prevailed and some of them found a place again in the Dutch churches. The decisions of the Synod were accepted by Reformed churches elsewhere.