Defending Calvinism: Insights from the Synod of Dort

Devotional

Day 1: The Necessity of Theological Discernment

Understanding theology is crucial for discerning truth from error. The Synod of Dort highlighted the importance of a robust theological foundation to recognize subtle distortions of biblical truth. Arminians often used scripture to support their views, which seemed plausible but ultimately contradicted biblical teachings. This calls for vigilance in understanding not only what we believe but also how erroneous views can be deceptively presented as biblical. A sound theological foundation helps believers discern truth from error and maintain the integrity of their faith. [08:21]

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a belief or teaching you have encountered that seemed biblical but later proved otherwise. How can you strengthen your theological understanding to better discern truth from error?

Day 2: Comfort in Doctrine for Grieving Parents

The Synod of Dort addressed the pastoral concern regarding the fate of children who die in infancy, affirming their election and salvation. This provides comfort to grieving parents and counters misrepresentations of reformed doctrine. The assurance that children of godly parents who die in infancy are elect and saved offers solace and hope, emphasizing God's grace and mercy. This pastoral implication of doctrine highlights the importance of sound theology in providing comfort and guidance in times of grief and uncertainty. [16:14]

"But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 19:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you offer comfort and support to someone grieving the loss of a child, using the assurance of God's grace and mercy?

Day 3: Focusing on Theological Errors, Not Individuals

The Synod's rejection of errors focused on theological inaccuracies rather than personal attacks. This distinction is vital as we engage in theological discussions today, emphasizing correction over condemnation. By critiquing errors and not individuals, we foster a spirit of love and understanding, allowing for constructive dialogue and growth. This approach encourages believers to address theological inaccuracies with grace and humility, promoting unity and truth within the church. [17:55]

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent disagreement you had with someone over a theological issue. How can you approach future discussions with a focus on correcting errors while maintaining love and respect for the individual?

Day 4: Predestination as a Source of Assurance

Predestination is a doctrine of assurance, celebrating God's sovereign plan to save His people. It emphasizes that our salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, providing comfort and encouragement to believers. Understanding predestination as a source of comfort rather than confusion assures believers of God's eternal love and sovereign plan. This doctrine highlights the security and hope found in God's grace, encouraging believers to trust in His divine purpose and plan for their lives. [22:09]

"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will." (Ephesians 1:11, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain about your salvation. How does the doctrine of predestination provide you with assurance and comfort in your faith journey?

Day 5: Distinguishing Moral Responsibility from Free Will

The Synod highlighted the distinction between moral responsibility and free will, challenging the logical reasoning that equates the two. This underscores the importance of adhering to biblical revelation over human speculation. Understanding the role of human responsibility within the framework of God's sovereignty encourages believers to live faithfully and obediently. This distinction helps believers navigate the complexities of free will and divine sovereignty, fostering a deeper trust in God's wisdom and guidance. [20:22]

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle with the balance between free will and God's sovereignty. How can you trust in God's guidance while taking responsibility for your actions?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of the Synod of Dort and its response to Arminianism, we delved into the historical and theological significance of this pivotal moment in church history. The Synod of Dort was convened to address the five points of Arminianism, which were seen as errors challenging the core tenets of Calvinism. It's crucial to understand that Calvinism is not merely encapsulated in five points; rather, it is comprehensively outlined in documents like the Westminster Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Belgic Confession. The Synod's response was not just a defense of Calvinism but a reaffirmation of biblical truths against the subtle distortions presented by Arminianism.

One of the key lessons from this historical event is the importance of sound theology. We must be vigilant in understanding not only what we believe but also how erroneous views can be deceptively presented as biblical. The Arminians, for instance, often quoted scripture to support their views, which at first glance seemed plausible but ultimately contradicted biblical teachings. This calls for a robust theological foundation to discern truth from error.

The discussion also touched on the pastoral implications of these theological debates, particularly concerning the fate of children who die in infancy. The Synod of Dort provided comfort to grieving parents by affirming that children of godly parents who die in infancy are elect and saved, countering the Arminian misrepresentation that such children might be condemned.

Furthermore, the Synod's rejection of errors was not a personal attack on individuals but a critique of the theological errors themselves. This distinction is vital as we engage in theological discussions today, focusing on correcting errors rather than condemning individuals.

Lastly, the doctrine of predestination was highlighted as a source of comfort rather than confusion. It assures believers of God's sovereign plan and eternal love, emphasizing that our salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, not our merit.

Key Takeaways

1. The Importance of Sound Theology: Understanding theology is crucial to discern truth from error. The Arminians' use of scripture to support their views highlights the need for a robust theological foundation to recognize subtle distortions of biblical truth. [08:21]
2. Pastoral Implications of Doctrine: The Synod of Dort addressed the pastoral concern regarding the fate of children who die in infancy, affirming their election and salvation. This provides comfort and counters misrepresentations of reformed doctrine. [16:14]
3. Critiquing Errors, Not Individuals: The Synod's rejection of errors focused on theological inaccuracies rather than personal attacks. This approach is essential in contemporary theological discussions, emphasizing correction over condemnation. [17:55]
4. Predestination as Comfort: Predestination is a doctrine of assurance, celebrating God's sovereign plan to save His people. It emphasizes that our salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, providing comfort and encouragement to believers. [22:09]
5. The Role of Human Responsibility: The Synod highlighted the distinction between moral responsibility and free will, challenging the logical reasoning that equates the two. This underscores the importance of adhering to biblical revelation over human speculation. [20:22]
** [20:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[07:03] - Introduction to the Synod of Dort
[07:51] - The Threat of False Teaching
[08:38] - Arminianism and Biblical Interpretation
[09:26] - Understanding Arminian Beliefs
[11:06] - Varieties of Arminianism
[12:20] - Translating the Canons of Dort
[14:43] - Pastoral Concerns on Infant Salvation
[16:48] - Strong Language in Theological Debate
[18:59] - The Danger of Curiosity
[20:08] - Free Will and Moral Responsibility
[21:07] - Predestination as a Comfort
[22:40] - Human Condition and Divine Grace
[24:09] - Conclusion and Encouragement

Sermon Clips

The Synod of Dort responds to the five points of Arminianism or more accurately the five errors of Arminianism. So really what the Synod of Dort would say it did was to provide biblical answers to the five errors of Arminianism. So we should be careful about that because Calvinism is not summarized in five points. [00:06:59]

We need to know theology, theology, theology. That is to say we have to be able to develop not only a knowledge of what we believe but it's very helpful to learn something about how wrong points of view can be articulated and formulated to at first glance sound biblical. [00:08:11]

The Armenians, for example, would make their point and then they quote a Bible verse, and it's very tempting to see if people seem to be quoting a Bible verse to think it must be okay, but in fact, it was a subtle but clear denial of biblical teaching. [00:08:37]

Most Armenians today are much worse than Arminius, so we sort of have to bear that in mind as a reality. Arminius would have said something like he would never have summarized it this baldly, but he would have said something like we're saved 99% by grace. [00:09:00]

We do have to recognize, I think, that there are a variety of Arminianisms. Arminianism doesn't come in just one form. Arminius himself seems to have been motivated not by a desire to assert human free will but by a desire to protect the goodness of God as he understood it. [00:11:09]

The Synod of Dort provided comfort to grieving parents by affirming that children of godly parents who die in infancy are elect and saved. They didn't say may be saved, could be saved, might be saved. They were very adamant that these children as children of godly parents are saved. [00:15:01]

The rejection of errors never mentions the Armenians by name, never mentions the remonstrance by name. What is rejected is errors, and so people are not being condemned here. People who hold certain errors are being criticized here. [00:17:50]

Curiosity was regarded as a soul-destroying error, and what they really meant by curiosity was a speculation about truth and about God that went far beyond revelation. It was an empty pursuit of questions that God had chosen not to answer. [00:18:59]

The Synod of Dort would have said the exact opposite is true. Arminianism is a result of rational extension of thought beyond the Bible, and Calvinism is sticking to the Bible, limiting itself to the Bible. [00:20:08]

Predestination does not stand over us as a mystery in the mind of God that threatens us. It's the doctrine that assures us that the God who brings us to faith gives us grace, will preserve us to the end, and he's brought us to faith according to his eternal plan. [00:22:09]

The canons in the first head of doctrine, which is on predestination, approaches this question also in a slightly different but very helpful way. It begins not in eternity thinking about the decrees of God but it begins in history with the human condition. [00:22:49]

If I say to you why do you believe and some do not, there's really only two answers. Either we believe because we're better than the people who don't, we're wiser, were smarter, were more moral, or we believe because God gave us the gift. [00:24:09]

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