A Faith Worth Defending: The Synod of Dort’s Enduring Heritage
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
In A Faith Worth Defending, pastors and scholars celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Dort (1618-1619) and take another look at the document produced by this international gathering of theologians to defend the basic truths of the Reformation—the Canons of Dort. Writing with biblical clarity and heartfelt conviction, the authors demonstrate how Calvinism comprises a true understanding of the nature and effects of sin, the extent of Christ’s atonement, the scope of God’s sovereignty, and the essence of assurance, among other things. Positively, they show that the Canons of Dort are biblical, and the doctrines taught in them are critical to faith, piety, and practices. Sound doctrine matters no less today than it did in the seventeenth century, and the essays in this volume will inform the minds of twenty-first-century readers and feed their souls with the timeless truths regarding God, sin, and salvation.
- Presents a defense and declaration of the gospel
- Examines topics including the nature and effects of sin, the extent of Christ’s atonement, the scope of God’s sovereignty, and the essence of assurance
- Combines biblical studies and practical pastoral insights
- Preserving the Reformation: A Historical Portrait of the Synod of Dort — W. Robert Godfrey
- What’s the Difference? A Historical and Theological Comparison of the Three Forms of Unity — Lyle D. Bierma
- The English Delegation to the Synod of Dort — Kevin J. Bidwell
- The Everlasting Love of God: Election and Predestination — J. V. Fesko
- Dead in Sin: The Utter Depravity of Mankind — Christopher J. Gordon
- The Promise of the Gospel: Redemption in Christ — Michael Horton
- The Irresistible Spirit: The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Canons of Dort — Sebastian Heck
- The Preservation and Perseverance of the Saints — Danny Hyde
- Comfort and Assurance: The Pastoral Implications of Dort — Joel R. Beeke and Ray B. Lanning
- Preaching the Doctrines of Dort — Cornelis P. Venema
- Proclaiming Joyful Tidings: Dort, Evangelism, and the Sovereignty of God — Jon D. Payne
The Canons of Dort continue to demand(and repay) our careful study and attention. And yet the history of the Synod and the theology it promoted can be difficult terrain. Thankfully, we have in these scholarly and pastoral essays a sure guide to the finely tuned definitions and precise delineation of Dort. With intellectual rigor and devotional warmth, this book marks a welcome addition to the growing literature on this crucial period in church history. More than that, A Faith Worth Defending, in exploring the good news of Dort, leads us to rejoice in the Good News itself.
—Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor, Christ Covenant Church
The Canons of Dort are the third and final contribution to the Three Forms of Unity- the famous ‘five points of Calvinism’ are a simplification of the arguments in these canons. In this book eleven experts tell the story behind this classic Reformed confession. They explain its key doctrines and persuade us to love its teachings. The end result is a fresh challenge to Arminian protestors old and new, a scriptural defense of God’s sovereign electing grace in a day of social salvation and self-help.
—Chad VanDixhoorn, professor of church history, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia
From beginning to end this volume provides us with an accessible, historical, theological, and pastoral introduction to the Synod of Dort (1618-1619). Dort was convened to respond to a series of aberrant doctrines based on the teachings of Jacob Arminius. The responsive nature of Dort’s Canons places them in a pastoral framework that would instruct the church’s membership in general and not just its theologians. This fine collection of essays will do much to highlight and promote Dort’s commitment to historic Calvinism.
—Ian Hamilton, former minister of Cambridge Presbyterian Church, UK, and trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust
- Title: A Faith Worth Defending: The Synod of Dort’s Enduring Heritage
- Authors: Jon D. Payne, Sebastian Heck
- Publisher: Reformation Heritage
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Pages: 182
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Synod of Dort (1618-1619: Dordrecht, Netherlands)
- ISBNs: 9781601787408, 9781601787415, 1601787405, 1601787413
- Resource ID: LLS:FTHWRTHDFNDG
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:08:49Z
Jon D. Payne is senior pastor of Christ Church (PCA) in Charleston, South Carolina, executive coordinator of the Gospel Reformation Network, and trustee with the Banner of Truth Trust.
Sebastian Heck is pastor of Selbständige Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche (Free Reformed church) in Heidelberg, Germany.