R*o
发帖数: 3781 | 1 Fruits Of The Synod Of Dort
In evaluating the Synod of Dort and the Five Points of Calvinism which it pr
onounced, one cannot avoid recognition of the political nature of the gather
ing and the fact that the Calvinistic church leaders were acting as instrume
nts of the state in violation of the Word of God - and the state acted on th
eir behalf to punish their opponents. That Calvinists together with the stat
e falsely charged, persecuted, imprisoned, sought the death of and executed
some of the Arminian leaders must also be a consideration in evaluating this
entire procedure and its fruits.
Although both the Arminians and Calvinists at this time were in agreement as
to the church-state alliance, the Arminians had no desire to use the state
to enforce their views upon their opponents. Even Calvinists admit that "the
divines who composed the Synod of Dort generally held that the civil magist
rate wasentitled to inflict pains and penalties as a punishment for heresy"
and that, in contrast, the Arminians advocated "toleration and forbearance i
n regard to differences of opinion upon religious subjects." 50
Consider, for example, the fate of the four main leaders of the Arminian mov
ement. John Uytenbogaert, who had studied at Geneva under Calvin's successor
, Beza, and served as chaplain to Prince Maurice (son and successor of Willi
am of Orange), was exiled after the Synod of Dort and had his goods confisca
ted. Simon Episcopius, a professor of theology and chief spokesman for the A
rminians at Dort, was banished. John Van Oldenbarnevelt, who was advocate-ge
neral of Holland and a national hero for helping William of Orange negotiate
the Union of Utrecht, because he gave support to the Arminians found himsel
f at odds with Maurice, was falsely charged with treason and beheaded. Hugo
Grotius, a famed lawyer known worldwide for his expertise in international l
aw, was sentenced to life in prison but escaped and later became Swedish amb
assador to Paris.
What biblical basis could anyone propose for exacting such penalties for a d
isagreement over doctrine? If the Calvinists could be so wrong in so much th
at is so important, might they not also be wrong in some basic theological a
ssumptions? It seems astonishing that in spite of a complete misunderstandin
g of and disobedience concerning such vital and fundamental New Testament te
aching as separation of church and state and nonimposition of belief by forc
e, these men are hailed as "great divines," and the doctrine they forcefully
imposed on others is embraced as the truth of God to be accepted by all tod
ay! | m****a
发帖数: 9485 | | S*********L
发帖数: 5785 | 3 Hi, brother, do you have an online verson of this book by Dave Hunt? If you
have, could you please give me a link? Thank you and you have a nice long
weekend.
pr
gather
instrume
th
stat
executed
this
as
【在 R*o 的大作中提到】
: Fruits Of The Synod Of Dort
: In evaluating the Synod of Dort and the Five Points of Calvinism which it pr
: onounced, one cannot avoid recognition of the political nature of the gather
: ing and the fact that the Calvinistic church leaders were acting as instrume
: nts of the state in violation of the Word of God - and the state acted on th
: eir behalf to punish their opponents. That Calvinists together with the stat
: e falsely charged, persecuted, imprisoned, sought the death of and executed
: some of the Arminian leaders must also be a consideration in evaluating this
: entire procedure and its fruits.
: Although both the Arminians and Calvinists at this time were in agreement as
| R*o
发帖数: 3781 | 4 I will send to you once I find the online link.
you
【在 S*********L 的大作中提到】
: Hi, brother, do you have an online verson of this book by Dave Hunt? If you
: have, could you please give me a link? Thank you and you have a nice long
: weekend.
:
: pr
: gather
: instrume
: th
: stat
: executed
|
|
