The covenant and Dordt (2): Election, the foundation
Dykstra examines how the doctrine of unconditional election serves as the foundational principle of Reformed soteriology, as established by the Synod of Dort in response to Arminian objections. The article demonstrates how election logically grounds the other doctrines of grace—limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance—and establishes Christ as the Head of the elect through whom salvation is accomplished.
The doctrine of election is the foundation of the Reformed truth of salvation by grace alone. The first head of the Canons of Dordt establishes the doctrine of double predestination in answer to the first point of the Remonstrants. The Arminians placed this doctrine first in their five objections (remonstrances), knowing that if they could successfully change the Reformed teaching of election to a conditional election, the rest of their teaching (errors) would follow logically. If election (and...
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