The third of our doctrinal standards is the Canons of Dort, also called the Five Articles against the Remonstrants. These are statements of doctrine adopted by the great Reformed Synod of Dort in 1618-1619. This Synod had an international dimension, since it was not only composed of the delegates of the Reformed churches of the Netherlands but also attended by twenty-seven representatives of foreign churches. The Synod of Dort was held in view of the serious disturbance in the Reformed churches caused by the rise and spread of Arminianism. Arminius, a theological professor at the University of Leyden, and his followers departed from the Reformed faith in their teaching concerning five important points. They taught conditional election on the ground of foreseen faith, universal atonement, partial depravity, resistible grace, and the possibility of a lapse from grace. These views were rejected by the Synod, and the opposite views were embodied in what are now called the Canons of Dort or the Five Articles against the Remonstrants. In these Canons the Synod set forth the Reformed doctrine on these points, namely, unconditional election, particular atonement, total depravity, invincible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. Each of the Canons consists of a positive and a negative part, the former being an exposition of the Reformed doctrine on the subject, and the latter a repudiation of the corresponding Arminian error. Although in form there are only four chapters, occasioned by the combination of the third and fourth sections into one, we properly speak of five Canons, and the third chapter is always designated as Chapter III/IV. All office-bearers of our churches are required to subscribe to these Canons as well as to the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism.   First Head of Doctrine Divine Election and Reprobation Article 1     All Mankind Condemnable Before God Article 2     The Sending of The Son of God Article 3     The Preaching of the Gospel Article 4     A Twofold Outcome Article 5     The Cause of Unbelief, The Source of Faith Article 6     God's Eternal Decree Article 7     Election Defined Article 8     One Decree of Election Article 9     Election Not Based on Foreseen Faith Article 10     Election Based on God's Good Pleasure Article 11     Election Unchangeable Article 12     The Assurance of Election Article 13     The Value of this Assurance Article 14     How Election is to be Taught Article 15     Reprobation Described Article 16     Responses to the Doctrine of Reprobation Article 17     Children of Believers Who Die in Infancy Article 18     Not Protest But Adoration     Rejection of Errors   Second Head of Doctrine Christ's Death and Man's Redemption through It Article 1     The Punishment Which God's Justice Requires Article 2     The Satisfaction Made By Christ Article 3     The Infinite Value of Christ's Death Article 4     Why His Death Has Infinite Value Article 5     The Universal Proclamation of the Gospel Article 6     Why Some Do Not Believe Article 7     Why Others Do Believe Article 8     The Efficacy of the Death of Christ Article 9     The Fulfilment of God's Counsel Rejection of Errors   Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine The Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner in Which It Occurs Article 1     The Effect of the Fall Article 2     The Spread of Corruption Article 3     Man's Total Inability Article 4     The Inadequacy of the Light of Nature Article 5     The Inadequacy of the Law Article 6     The Need for the Gospel Article 7     Why the Gospel Is Sent To Some and Not To Others Article 8     The Earnest Call by the Gospel Article 9     Why Some Who Are Called Do Not Come Article 10     Why Others Who Are Called Do Come Article 11     How God Brings About Conversion Article 12     Regeneration Is the Work of God Alone Article 13     Regeneration Is Incomprehensible Article 14     How Faith Is a Gift of God Article 15     The Proper Attitude With Respect To God's Undeserved Grace Article 16     Man's Will Not Taken Away But Made Alive Article 17     The Use of Means   Rejection of Errors     Fifth Head of Doctrine The Perseverance of the Saints Article 1     The Regenerate Not Free From Indwelling Sin Article 2     Daily Sins of Weakness Article 3     God Preserves His Own Article 4     Saints May Fall Into Serious Sins Article 5     The Effects of Such Serious Sins Article 6     God Will Not Permit His Elect to Be Lost Article 7     God Will Again Renew His Elect to Repentance Article 8     The Grace of the Triune God Preserves Article 9     The Assurance of This Preservation Article 10     The Source of This Assurance Article 11     This Assurance Not Always Felt Article 12     This Assurance Is an Incentive to Godliness Article 13     This Assurance Does Not Lead To Carelessness Article 14     The Use of Means in Perseverance Article 15     This Doctrine Is Hated By Satan But Loved By the Church   Rejection of Errors         Conclusion to Canons of Dort Back to Creeds and Confessions

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