Pouwels Weyts the younger: Synod of Dordrecht (1621)

(Dordrechts Museum , Dordrecht , The Netherlands)

A painting by the Dutch artist Pouwels Pouwels Weyts the younger (...-1628). This painting, the only surviving painting of Weyts, shows the synod of Dordrecht. This synod was held in the Dutch town of Dordrecht between 13 November 1618 and 9 May 1619. The synod was organized by the Dutch Reformed Church, to settle a divisive controversy initiated by the rise of Arminianism. Representatives of reformed churches from all the Dutch provinces were invited, including from eight foreign Reformed churches (France (they were absent - the empty benches were for them, England, Germany, Switzerland etc). The Arminians themselves were also present: they are seated at the table in the middle. The outcome of the Synod was a rejection of the Arminian views, a official translation of the bible in Dutch and the 'Five points of Calvinism' or TULIP: Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin), Unconditional Election; Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement), Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved). Painting from 1621.