Franciscus Gomarus
Reformed professor of theology who opposed Arminius on predestination and sat at the Synod of Dort as a delegate, signing its Canons as professor at Groningen.
Jacobus Arminius tells how the two of them held a conference at The Hague by order of the States of Holland, and how Gomarus then told the States that the difference between them was so great that he would not dare to appear before his Maker with the opinions Arminius held, and that the provinces and churches would be set against one another unless something were done (Arminius, Declaration of Sentiments, opening address). That is his opponent’s report of his words.
At the Synod of Dort he signed the Canons among the Dutch professors of theology, as professor in the university of Groningen (Canons of Dort subscriptions). The teaching he put his name to is that election is God’s unchangeable purpose and does not rest on foreseen faith (Canons of Dort 1.7, 1.9). See the Synod of Dort.
In the timeline
- 1618 to 1619, firm dateThe Synod of Dort
A national synod of the Dutch Reformed churches, with delegates from Britain, Germany and Switzerland, judges the five articles of the Remonstrants, the followers of Arminius. Its Canons set out the Reformed teaching on predestination and grace in five heads.