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The Synod of Dordt (1618–1619) and a Theology of Religions

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The Synod of Dordt (1618–1619) and a Theology of Religions In die Skriflig / In Luce Verbi ISSN: (Online) 2305-0853, (Print) 1018-6441 Page 1 of 8 Original Research The Synod of Dordt (1618–1619) and a theology of religions Author: The Synod of Dordt (1618–1619) addressed particular theological concerns raised in a particular 1 Jaco Beyers context. The broader context of the Synod needs to be accounted for. During the 16th and 18th Affiliation: century, Roman Catholic and Protestant relations in Europe were strained. During the same 1Department of Religion period, Christianity and Islam were in conflict. Europe was engaging with foreign cultures and Studies, Faculty of Theology religions exposed through a process of geographical discoveries. Within this context the and Religion, University question arises as to how Christianity relates to non-Christian religions. The contribution of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa by the theologian, Gijsbertius Voetius (1589–1676), in creating a theological position on non-Christian religions is paramount in discerning a theology of religions (theologia religionum). Corresponding author: The Synod of Dordt and the contribution of Voetius in creating such a theology of religions will Jaco Beyers, here be the focus of the research. Voetius suggests an openness towards non-Christian religions, [email protected] as all humans are corrupt in nature and in need of redemption. God elects and saves humans Dates: from all humankind. Received: 08 Jan. 2019 Accepted: 03 Apr. 2019 Keywords: Dordt; Missional; Theology of religions; Voetius; Inter-religious relations. Published: 27 May 2019 How to cite this article: Beyers, J., 2019, ‘The Synod Introduction of Dordt (1618–1619) and Reflections on inter-religious relations are important today within a multi-religious society. Mass a theology of religions’, migrations, globalisation and post-colonialism brought communities in contact with different In die Skriflig 53(3), a2441. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids. religious backgrounds. The year 2019 sees the celebration of the end of the Synod of Dordt. Is v53i3.2441 there anything emanating from the deliberations at Dordt (1618–1619) that can contribute to inter- religious relations today? Copyright: © 2019. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work The Synod of Dordt was held from 13 November 1618 until 09 May 16191 in Dordrecht, a town in is licensed under the The Netherlands. The purpose of the Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church with invitations Creative Commons extended to eight foreign Reformed churches, was to discuss and decide on the theological Attribution License. doctrine of the Arminians. Among the representatives counted Reformed groups from within Europe as well as from the United Kingdom.2 Representatives from the Anglican as well as the Church of Scotland were present. The outcome of the Synod is presented in what is known as The decisions of the Synod of Dort on the five main points of doctrine in dispute in The Netherlands.3 The five points referred to comprise of (1) divine election and reprobation; (2) Christ’s death and redemption; (3) corrupt human nature; (4) conversion to God; and (5) the perseverance of the saints. These five points are considered to be the cornerstone of Calvinism. This article wants to address, in particular, the way in which the Synod of Dordt contributed to the formation of a theology of religions and especially the role the Dutch theologian, Gijsbertius Voetius,4 played in creating a theological position on non-Christian religions. Theology of religions is concerned with the theological reflection on the meaning and value of other religions (Kärkkäinen 2003:20). The question addressed here is how the Synod of Dordt influenced a theology of religions (theologia religionum) or, phrased differently, what theology of religions can be discerned from the Synod of Dordt. Is there any indication or implication as to how the Synod of Dordt suggests the relation between Christianity and non-Christian religions ought to be viewed? What implication does this theology of religions have for mission work among non- Christians? The contribution by Voetius, as one of the representatives at the Synod of Dordt, gives direction in understanding mission work among non-Christians. Read online: 1.Although some representatives departed on 09 May 1619, the Synod in fact ended on 29 May after completing all administrative matters. Scan this QR code with your 2.These included 25 representatives from England, the Pallatine, Hessen, Genève, Switzerland, Bremen, Emden, Wetterau and Nasau. smart phone or mobile device 3.Also known as the ‘Canons of Dordt’. to read online. 4.According to scholarly tradition, Voetius changed his original Dutch name of Gijsbert Voet to the Latin form of Gijsbertius Voetius. http://www.indieskriflig.org.za Open Access Page 2 of 8 Original Research The context of the Synod of Dordt This coincided with the tension between Roman Catholics and Protestants in The Netherlands. The Spanish Before investigating the role the theologian, Voetius, played (Roman Catholic) king laid claim to the lowlands of The in the Synod of Dordt and in establishing a theology of Netherlands – today consisting of the so-called Benelux religions, it is important to understand the context within countries (Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxemborg). which the mainly ecclesiastical event of the Synod of Dordt Opposing Roman Catholic rule, the Dutch organised occurred. For this, two perspectives (theological and political themselves militarily which resulted in the Eighty Years’ War. developments) are important: Prior to and during the time of the Synod of Dordt, the Theological developments Roman Catholic Church had a theological position on other religions. The theology of Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Arminianism contributed hugely to the Christian expression of relationship The Synod of Dordt focussed mainly on the theological with other religions. His theology became the official controversy which arose due to the theological position taken theology of the Roman Catholic Church at the time of the on by the Leiden professor in theology, Jacobus Arminius contra-Reformation. In his Summa contra gentiles, Aquinas (1560–1609), who questioned the teaching of Calvin on deals with the relationship between the church and the several points. Opposing Arminius was his colleague, the gentiles. theological professor, Franciscus Gomarus (1563–1641), adhering to the belief that God elects people by his grace Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621), a respected Roman Catholic alone. After Arminius’ death, his position was carried theologian, formulated the principles on the church’s forward by his followers now known as the Remonstrants.5 relationship with non-Christian religions based on Aquinas’ The dispute at Dordt, however, must be seen as the propositions (Berkouwer 1968:18–19): culmination of a long ongoing theological and political discussion already present since the Synod of Emden (1571) • Any human being may sense God spontaneously, that is, where the doctrines of the Dutch Reformed Church was through his or her innate senses and intellect by observing established (Van Wyk 2018:3). The Remonstrants had a and reflecting on God’s creation. The Fall injured this particular view of the state as being the guardian of the ability, but not completely nor without hope of healing. church where the contra-Remonstrants proclaimed the • It is God’s will that all human beings be saved. Therefore autonomy of the church (Coertzen 2018:2). it can be accepted that he would provide ways and means to make it possible. It should be accepted that he would Arminius’ theological teaching held that humans have a have provided ways and means of membership to those free will and can therefore contribute to salvation: God, by who, through no fault of their own, never heard of Jesus grace, saves humans through Jesus Christ as Redeemer, but or his church. considers their faith first. Arminius declares in point 16 of his • Non-Christian religions have a preliminary legitimacy. declaration on Predestination that human faith is ‘a force and medium contributing towards salvation’ (Bakhuizen van den The influence of the theology of Aquinas on the thoughts Brink 1960:279). This theological issue will be expounded on expressed at the Synod of Dordt cannot be denied (Van Wyk later in this discussion. 2018:4). The Remonstrants supported the concept of human free will and contribution through faith to salvation. The Roman Catholic relations contra-Remonstrants emphasised the elective grace of God as the centre of salvation without consideration of faith. Upon the Reformation and expansion of Protestantism, Bellarmine seems to consider human knowledge of God as Roman Catholics responded with a counter (contra) valuable, even if it is defective, inadequate and incomplete. movement to the Reformation in order to re-affirm Catholic Through human effort God can be known. As will be argued status and revitalise Roman Catholicism. One culmination of later on, Voetius emphasised that knowledge of God is the contra-Reformation was the Council of Trent (1545–1563) possible only through conveying and proclaiming the gospel. where Roman Catholic doctrine were re-affirmed. The end of the contra-Reformation most probably occurred during the 17th century (Bakhuizen van den Brink & Dankbaar 1968:5).6 Christianity and the Muslim advance Besides the multiple encounters between European traders The relations between Protestants and Roman Catholics can, and merchants with Muslims along the trade routes to the however, not be limited to councils and scholarly debates. On East, the Muslim military advance on Eastern Europe was political level, the opposition continued. One year prior to the main concern for Christians during the 16th century. the convention of the Synod of Emden (1571), the states of Since the fall of Constantinople in 1453, before the Ottoman The Netherlands managed to free itself from Spanish rule. Empire, the Muslim advance towards Eastern Europe enhanced the growing concern about the future of 5.This label is derived from the Dutch concept of a declaration (Remonstrance) opposing an existing statement.
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