Volume 1 includes the original Acta Authentica of the synod, here published for the first time. Following the Acta Authentica, the corresponding acts, as first published in the Acta Synodi Nationalis ... Dordrechti Habitae (Leiden, 1620), are reprinted; these published Acta were a significantly revised version, for stylistic and political purposes, of the original Acta Authentica. Also included are the Acta Contracta, a topical summary of the Acta Authentica, and the minutes of the meetings of the state delegates, who represented the Dutch government at the synod; neither of these has been previously published. This volume begins with a general introduction to the Synod of Dordt and its context, an introduction to the Acta Authentica, the published Acta and Acta Contracta, and an introduction to the role of the state delegates and the minutes of their meetings.Forthcoming volumes: Vol. II: Preliminaries to the Synod, ca. 1000 pp. The Pro-Acta Sessions Procedural Debates with the RemonstrantsVol. III: Deliberations after the Expulsion of the Remonstrants, ca. 975 pp. The Canons of Dordt and its FormationVol. IV: Remonstrant Doctrinal Documents, ca. 1000 pp.Vol. V: The Judgments of the Nineteen Delegations on the Five Remonstrant Articles, ca. 850 pp.Vol. VI: Other Discipline Cases, ca. 900 pp. The Post-Acta Sessions Immediate Aftermath of the SynodVol. VII: Remonstrant Reports on the Synod, ca. 1100 pp.Vol. VIII: Journals and Reports of Foreign Delegates on the Synod, ca. 990 pp.Vol. IX: Journals and Reports of Dutch Delegates on the Synod, ca. 800 pp. Contemporary Letters about the Syno

Volume 1 includes the original Acta Authentica of the synod, here published for the first time. Following the Acta Authentica, the corresponding acts, as first published in the Acta Synodi Nationalis ... Dordrechti Habitae (Leiden, 1620), are reprinted; these published Acta were a significantly revised version, for stylistic and political purposes, of the original Acta Authentica. Also included are the Acta Contracta, a topical summary of the Acta Authentica, and the minutes of the meetings of the state delegates, who represented the Dutch government at the synod; neither of these has been previously published. This volume begins with a general introduction to the Synod of Dordt and its context, an introduction to the Acta Authentica, the published Acta and Acta Contracta, and an introduction to the role of the state delegates and the minutes of their meetings.

At the Synod of Dordrecht (1618–19), the deep questions of justification and faith, election and rejection, time and eternity, grace and free will, the individual and the body of Christ, Israel and the church, the acquisition of salvation through Christ and its application by His Spirit, baptism and regeneration, and especially the precise relationship between these, were at stake. These deep questions are addressed in this study. Lines are drawn to the historical, theological and political context of the time of the synod. Patristics and the Middle Ages are not absent, nor are the metaphysical questions related to these theological issues. Also the church polity of Dordt is discussed, especially the roots, influences and structures of its church order. This volume ends with a hermeneutical reflection on the way we confess the electing God today.

Volume II/2 of this critical edition of all the documents of the Synod of Dordt (1618–1619) contains documents relating to the early sessions of the Synod of Dordt, until the expulsion of the Remonstrants. Many are published for the first time. Included are documents of the Pro-Acta sessions on several matters of Dutch church life—a new Dutch Bible translation, catechetical instruction, baptism of slave children, theological training and printing abuses—as well as documents concerning the contentious procedural debates with the Remonstrants on how to deal with the doctrinal issues in the controversy—their view of predestination and related points.

“Speaking God today … signifies assuming the task constitutive of the discipline of systematic theology. … A relational God who lives in ex-static self-giving, creates Christian communities of hospitality and generosity, and offers a healing vision of truth, goodness, and beauty. Speaking the Triune God extends the promise of the benediction, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Spirit be with you all.” Rian Venter In this first volume on doing Theology in South Africa, Henco van der Westhuizen assembled an array of articles by South African theologians on Trinitarian Theology from 1976 to today.

Table of Contents: 1. Preserving the Reformation: A Historical Portrait of the Synod of Dort — W. Robert Godfrey 2. What’s the Difference? A Historical and Theological Comparison of the Three Forms of Unity — Lyle D. Bierma 3. The English Delegation to the Synod of Dort — Kevin J. Bidwell 4. The Everlasting Love of God: Election and Predestination — J. V. Fesko 5. Dead in Sin: The Utter Depravity of Mankind — Christopher J. Gordon 6. The Promise of the Gospel: Redemption in Christ — Michael Horton 7. The Irresistible Spirit: The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Canons of Dort — Sebastian Heck 8. The Preservation and Perseverance of the Saints — Danny Hyde 9. Comfort and Assurance: The Pastoral Implications of Dort — Joel R. Beeke and Ray B. Lanning 10. Preaching the Doctrines of Dort — Cornelis P. Venema 11. Proclaiming Joyful Tidings: Dort, Evangelism, and the Sovereignty of God — Jon D. Payne