Jacob Arminius

(1560-1609)

A Dutch professor who tried to modify the Calvinism of his time. In 1610 his disciples produced their manifesto, the Remonstrance, affirming that election to salvation rests on faith forseen; that Christ died for all, although only believers benefit; that grace is not irresistible; and that perseverance depends on one’s own action over and above God’s help. Dutch Arminianism was rationalistic in spirit, and subsequently drifted into querying Jesus’ full deity. Some High church Anglicans came independently to an essentially Arminian view of grace, not from rationalism, but from deference to the Greek Fathers.