A Five Pointer: Its Origin

The Doctrines of Grace is a compendium of truth encapsulating the essential principles that govern man’s salvation. These doctrines are the central teachings that turned the world right side up during the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation of the 16th century swept across Europe like a wild fire. By the turn of the 17th century, Protestant state churches had embraced articles of faith heavily influenced by the teachings of a French theologian named John Calvin (1509-1564).

However, in the year 1618, a group of men living in Holland had written a theological dissertation based on the teachings of a Dutch theologian named James Arminius (1560-1609). They presented this document to the Dutch Parliament in order to overturn certain other doctrines espoused by the Reformed confessions of faith (which were the prevailing convictions of that period). A National Synod of the Church was convened for the purpose of examining the Arminians’ dissertation in light of the Scriptures. After six months and more than 150 meetings, it was determined that each of the five points in the dissertation were in conflict with the Scriptures.

Thus, a response was formulated by the committee which became known as “The Five Points of Calvinism,” otherwise designated, “The Doctrines of Grace.”