The ''Five Articles of Remonstrance'' or the ''Remonstrance'' were theological propositions advanced in 1610 by followers of Jacobus Arminius who had died in 1609, in disagreement with interpretations of the teaching of

John Calvin John Calvin (; frm, Jehan Cauvin; french: link=no, Jean Calvin ; 10 July 150927 May 1564) was a French theologian, pastor and reformer in Geneva during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system ...

then current in the Dutch Reformed Church. Those who supported them were called "

Remonstrants The Remonstrants (or the Remonstrant Brotherhood) is a Protestant movement that had split from the Dutch Reformed Church in the early 17th century. The early Remonstrants supported Jacobus Arminius, and after his death, continued to maintain his ...

Background

Forty-six preachers and the two leaders of the Leyden state college for the education of preachers met in The Hague on 14 January 1610, to state in written form their views concerning all disputed doctrines. The document in the form of a

remonstrance A protest (also called a demonstration, remonstration or remonstrance) is a public expression of objection, disapproval or dissent towards an idea or action, typically a political one. Protests can be thought of as acts of cooper ...

was drawn up by Jan Uytenbogaert and after a few changes was endorsed and signed by all in July. The Remonstrants did not reject confession and

catechism A catechism (; from grc, κατηχέω, "to teach orally") is a summary or exposition of doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult c ...

, but did not acknowledge them as permanent and unchangeable canons of faith. They ascribed authority only to the word of God in

Holy Scripture Religious texts, including scripture, are texts which various religions consider to be of central importance to their religious tradition. They differ from literature by being a compilation or discussion of beliefs, mythologies, ritual prac ...

and were averse to all formalism. They also maintained that the secular authorities have the right to interfere in theological disputes to preserve peace and prevent

schism A schism ( , , or, less commonly, ) is a division between people, usually belonging to an organization, movement, or religious denomination. The word is most frequently applied to a split in what had previously been a single religious body, suc ...

s in the Church. The Remonstrants' ''Five Articles of Remonstrance'' was met with a response written primarily by

Festus Hommius Festus Hommius (10 February 1576 – 5 July 1642) was a Dutch Calvinist theologian. Life He was born in Jelsum, into a noted Frisian family. He studied from 1593 at the University of Franeker under Sibrandus Lubbertus, travelled in 1595 to th ...

, called '' The Counter-Remonstrance of 1611''. ''The Counter-Remonstrance of 1611'' defended the ''

Belgic Confession The ''Confession of Faith'', popularly known as the Belgic Confession, is a doctrinal standard document to which many of the Reformed churches subscribe. The Confession forms part of the Three Forms of Unity of the Reformed Church, which are still ...

'' against theological criticisms from the followers of late

Jacob Arminius Jacobus Arminius (10 October 1560 – 19 October 1609), the Latinized name of Jakob Hermanszoon, was a Dutch theologian during the Protestant Reformation period whose views became the basis of Arminianism and the Dutch Remonstrant movement. He ...

, although Arminius himself claimed adherence to the ''

'' and ''

Heidelberg Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism (1563), one of the Three Forms of Unity, is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Calvinist Christian doctrine. It was published in 1563 in Heidelberg, ...

'' till his death. Finally, the ''Five Articles of Remonstrance'' were subject to review by the Dutch National

Synod A synod () is a council of a Christian denomination, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word ''wikt:synod, synod'' comes from the meaning "assembly" or "meeting" and is analogous with the Latin ...

held in Dordrecht in 1618–19 (see the

Synod of Dort The Synod of Dort (also known as the Synod of Dordt or the Synod of Dordrecht) was an international Synod held in Dordrecht in 1618–1619, by the Dutch Reformed Church, to settle a divisive controversy caused by the rise of Arminianism. The fi ...

). The judgements of the Synod, known as the Canons of Dort (Dordrecht), opposed the Remonstrance with Five Heads of Doctrine, with each one set as an answer to one of the five Articles of the Remonstrance. It was this response which gave rise to what has since become known as the Five Points of Calvinism. Modified to form the acrostic TULIP they covered the soteriological topics within Calvinism, summarizing the essence of what they believe constitutes an orthodox view on each of the following points: # Total depravity : the sin that we are bound to #

Unconditional election Unconditional election (also called sovereign election or unconditional grace) is a Calvinist doctrine relating to predestination that describes the actions and motives of God prior to his creation of the world, when he predestined some people to ...

: the basis of God's choice of the saved # Limited atonement : the application of the benefits of the atonement # Irresistible grace : how the Holy Spirit brings man to repentance and faith # Perseverance of the saints : the assurance that the saints will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit.

The five articles

Article 1 – Conditional election

This article rejects the concept that election into Christ is unconditional. Rather, this article asserts that election is

conditional Conditional (if then) may refer to: * Causal conditional, if X then Y, where X is a cause of Y * Conditional probability, the probability of an event A given that another event B has occurred *Conditional proof, in logic: a proof that asserts a ...

upon faith in Christ, and that God elects to salvation those He knows beforehand will have faith in Him.

Article 2 – Unlimited atonement

This article rejects the concept of limited atonement, which asserts that Christ only died for those God chooses to be saved. This article asserts that Christ died for all, but that salvation is limited to those who believe in Christ.

Article 3 – Total depravity

This article affirms the total depravity of man, that man is unable to do the will of God, and cannot save himself, apart from the grace of God.

Article 4 – Prevenient grace

This article rejects the concept of irresistible grace, contending that mankind has the free will to resist to the

prevenient grace Prevenient grace (or preceding grace or enabling grace) is a Christian theological concept that refers to the grace of God in a person's life which precedes and prepares to conversion. It was termed and developed by Augustine of Hippo (354 – 4 ...

of God.

Article 5 – Conditional preservation of the saints

This article rather than outright rejecting the notion of perseverance of the saints, argues that it may be

upon the believer remaining in Christ. The writers explicitly stated that they were not sure on this point, and that further study was needed. Sometime between 1610, and the official proceeding of the Synod of Dort (1618), the Remonstrants became fully persuaded in their minds that the Scriptures taught that a true believer was capable of falling away from faith and perishing eternally as an unbeliever. They formalized their views in "The Opinion of the Remonstrants" (1618), and later in ''

Remonstrant Confession The ''Remonstrant Confession'' or literally the ''Confession or Declaration of the Remonstrant Pastors'' refers to the Confession of Faith, confession of faith of the Remonstrant Brotherhood, Remonstrant brotherhood, published in 1621. Historical ...

Background

The five articles

Article 1 – Conditional election

Article 2 – Unlimited atonement

Article 3 – Total depravity

Article 4 – Prevenient grace

Article 5 – Conditional preservation of the saints

Notes and references

Citations

Sources

Further reading