Arminianism and the Canons of Dort

There are some notable contemporary reformed theologians who claim that the Canons of Dort do not condemn Arminianism as a heresy, but that the Canons see Arminianism as an error “leading to heresy.”  But a close reading of the Canons make such a conclusion impossible.

First, the Canons never refer to Arminianism as semi-Pelagianism “leading” to the heresy of Pelagianism, but as full-fledged Pelagianism in and of itself.

Second, the Reformed Churches of nine different countries did not convene the greatest Protestant ecumenical Council in history to simply deal with a problematic “error” that was irritating the church, but gravely viewed Arminianism as a return to one of the greatest heresies to plague the church throughout its history - the heresy of Pelagianism.

Third, eight times the Synod of Dort equates the teaching of Arminianism directly with Pelagianism.  Over a dozen times it refers to Arminianism as a heresy, and it equates Arminianism with the poison of Pelagianism, and calls it a blasphemy against God.  Never does it state that it sees Arminianism as “leading” to Pelagianism, but as Pelagianism itself.

We may be tempted to try to smooth over and dilute these very clear condemnations of Arminianism, and the grave consequences of its doctrine.  But Arminianism is not new to the church.  It is not just some faddish error that simply popped up in Holland during the early 1600s but is a heresy that has plagued the church and destroyed souls since its very beginnings, and is as rampant today in the American evangelical church as it has ever been.

In fact, the twin heresies of Pelagianism and semi-Pelagianism, of which Arminianism is simply a reemergence of, has been condemned by more councils of the church than any other heresy in the history of Christianity.

From the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. to the Council of Orange and 529 A.D., and all the councils in-between, Pelagianism and semi-Pelagianism, although differing in presentation, were seen by the church as essentially the same heresy - and that heresy is this:

The claim that man contributes in some form or fashion to his own salvation - whether it be his decision, his faith, his repentance, his obedience, his good works, his free will, his perseverance, or whatever ounce or pound of man’s cooperation we want to add to the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Christ is to willfully rob God of his glory, of which there is no greater sin on earth.

As the Heidelberg catechism teaches us: ”Christ will be man’s complete Savior, or he will be no Savior to man at all.”  Additionally, semi-Pelagianism is the very heresy being condemned by Paul in his letter to the Galatians, and Paul condemns it as “another gospel, which is no gospel at all”, and whoever teaches it is eternally condemned.  The gospel is the Five Solas of the reformation, and nothing less.  To add something of man to God’s sovereign salvation work is to preach, teach, and believe a different gospel – one that leaves man in his sins, and is, as Isaiah 64: 6 teaches us, an abomination in God’s sight.

Arminianism is the most subtle and deviant variety of the Galatian heresy of faith plus works. We wholeheartedly agree with the Synod of Dort when it categorically and unequivocally brands Arminianism as “the Pelagian heresy brought back from the pit of hell” (Hd 2, ROE 3), and we stand with the historic reformed church as reflected in the Canons of Dort, and we will, like them, “contend for the faith, once for all given to the saints” by preaching and teaching against this damning heresy.