2019 Annual Conference: Remembering the Canons


Why Dort Happened, or Why Arminius Is Not the Hero of the Story: Part I

W. Robert Godfrey

We will consider the historical and theological background to the synod, examining particularly the role of Arminius. We will see that Arminius does not deserve his modern reputation as a victim of mean Calvinists and that the synod was necessary to save the Reformation.

Why Dort Happened: Part II

W. Robert Godfrey

We will consider the historical and theological background to the synod, examining particularly the role of Arminius. We will see that Arminius does not deserve his modern reputation as a victim of mean Calvinists and that the synod was necessary to save the Reformation.

A Real Atonement for Real Sinners

Michael S. Horton

Did Jesus make salvation possible for all or did he actually save his people from their sins? Although many Christians claim to be “4-Point Calvinists,” the “L” in TULIP (“Limited Atonement”) is indispensable. It’s not the result merely of systematic coherence but of scriptural teaching. Furthermore, your view on this doctrine reflects broader assumptions about sin and redemption. Only hypothetical sinners need a hypothetical atonement.

Unconditional Election and the Free Offer of the Gospel

R. Scott Clark

One of the first points the orthodox Reformed reaffirmed years before the Great Synod of Dort is that God freely offers salvation to all in the “serious” and “promiscuous” or free and well-meant offer of the gospel. We offer the good news to all with the confidence that God has graciously chosen his people, in Christ, from all eternity. This is a valuable, biblical truth well grounded in Scripture, in the Canons, which we need to appreciate again in our day.

Dort and the Holy Exercises of Piety

Charles Telfer

A pastoral concern for the well-being of Christ’s sheep motivated the Synod of Dort from its inception to the final formulation of its statements. In this lecture, we explore the Synod’s interest in practical godliness and the relevance of its teaching for the practice of the Christian life today.

The Relevance of Dort in Oprah’s America

Joel E. Kim

The Synod of Dort is a model of the church at work, expressing the mind and hearts of the saints as they reflected deeply on the Word of God. Both the assembly and the Canons it produced are not mere artifacts of history, but a continuing resource to contemporary Christians as the modern church in many places struggles to understand and expound the truth so clearly taught in the Canons, namely the amazing grace of God in our salvation.

Faculty Panel Question and Answer Session

2019 Conference Wrap-Up