The Synod of Dordt (1618–1619) and the Canons: Historical Perspectives Paperback – July 28, 2025

The Synod of Dordrecht (1618–1619) has monumental significance for Reformed churches. While officially assembled for the provinces of the Netherlands, it gathered an international cast of delegates to solidify a pan-European accord on Reformed doctrine. In this book, readers gain valuable historical perspective from Donald Sinnema, the world’s leading authority on the Synod of Dordt. Sinnema opens with a helpful overview, summarizing the agenda and proceedings of four phases of the synod to capture the scope and magnitude of the gathering. Then Sinnema tackles various aspects of the synod with astounding detail and analysis. You will learn of procedural wranglings, dealings of church and state, how the Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism were involved, disagreements among the delegates, and plenty about the consensus document known as the Canons of Dordt. A standard resource on the synod for years to come.ContentsPrefaceThe Synod of Dordt (1618–1619): An OverviewProcedural Wrangling in the Remonstrant Case at DordtThe Belgic Confession at the Synod of DordtThe Heidelberg Catechism at the Synod of DordtThe Doctrine of Election at the Synod of DordtDisagreements and Doctrinal Dissension among Delegates at the Synod of DordtChurch–State Entanglements at the Synod of DordtThe Missing Correspondence between the States General and Its State Delegates at the SynodReformed Scholasticism and the Synod of DordtThe Church Order of Dordt in Historical PerspectiveCalvin and the Canons of DordtCalvin as Viewed by Remonstrants at DordtThe Drafting of the Canons of DordtThe Canons of Dordt: Historical Context and TheologyThe Canons of Dordt: From Judgment on Arminianism to Confessional StandardDistortions of the Canons: The Tilenus Abbreviation, the Five Points of Calvinism, and TULIP Appendix 1: Overview of Dordt Sessions Appendix 2: Editions of the Canons of Dort (1619–2019) Appendix 3: Bibliography of Sinnema Writings Bibliography of Sinnema Writings Name Index Subject Index Read more