EuropeEvent

Opening of the Synod of Dort

When
1618
Where
Dordrecht
Episodes
1

The Synod of Dort convened in Dordrecht on 13 November 1618 to resolve the Arminian controversy. This transnational assembly of the Dutch Reformed Church marked the beginning of a 154-session process aimed at settling divisive theological disputes.

Episodes

  1. 13 November 1618 · DordrechtFirst Meeting of the Synod

    The Synod of Dort held its first meeting on 13 November 1618 in Dordrecht, initiating the formal proceedings to address the Arminian controversy.

Background and detail

Theological and Political Context. The synod addressed a divisive controversy caused by the rise of Arminianism. Arminians were accused of propagating false doctrine and compromising with Spain, leading some to view their position as political treason. This tension fueled a pamphlet war in 1617–1618.

Preparatory Steps. Planning for the National Synod began in March 1618 under Adriaan Pauw. The decision to convene was worked out in 1617 with input from English ambassador Dudley Carleton. The primary purpose was to settle the controversy over Arminianism.

People involved

Sources

  1. Synod of Dort Wikipedia, revision of 2026-07-24

Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.