The Synod of Dordt was held in order to settle a serious controversy in the Dutch churches initiated by the rise of Arminianism. Jacob Arminius, a theological professor at Leiden University, questioned the teaching of Calvin and his followers on a number of important points. After Arminius’s death, his own followers presented their views on … Continue reading “THE
SYNOD OF DORDT”
INTRODUCTION
The Decision of the Synod of Dordt on the Five Main Points of Doctrine in Dispute in the Netherlands is popularly known as the Canons of Dordt. It consists of statements of doctrine adopted by the great Synod of Dordt which met in the city of Dordrecht in 1618–19. Although this was a national synod … Continue reading “INTRODUCTION”
ARMINIANISM AND CALVINISM
See also: Calvinism versus Arminianism The Canons of Dordt
ARISTOCRACY
Democracy means government by the uneducated, while aristocracy means government by the badly educated. G.K. Chesterton There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talent. Thomas Jefferson
ARIDITY, SPIRITUAL
See: Dark night of the soul; Dryness
ARGUING
See also: Argument Just as a blind person is no use as an archer, so a disciple with the mania of contradiction will end in perdition. John Climacus
ARCHAEOLOGY
The reader may rest assured that nothing has been found [by archaeologists] to disturb a reasonable faith, and nothing has been discovered which can disprove a single theological doctrine. We no longer trouble ourselves with attempts to “harmonize” religion and science, or to “prove” the Bible. The Bible can stand for itself. William F. Albright … Continue reading “ARCHAEOLOGY”
APPETITE
Let the stoics say what they please, we do not eat for the good of living, but because the meat is savory and the appetite is keen. Ralph Waldo Emerson A well-governed appetite is a great part of liberty. Seneca
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
I must believe in the Apostolic Succession, there being no other way of accounting for the descent of the Bishop of Exeter from Judas Iscariot. Sydney Smith
APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE
We are in communion with the apostolic churches because there is no difference of doctrine. This is our guarantee of truth. Tertullian