An Abridged Chronology of Arminius’ Life

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This abridged chronology is provided alongside a series beginning with An Introduction to James Arminius. It was adapted from Carl Bangs, Arminius, pp. 13-15. Additions were inserted from other sources.

  • 1546: Luther dies.
  • c.1559: Arminius is born. His father dies. Theodore Aemilius takes parental responsibility for Arminius.
  • 1560: Melanchthon dies.
  • 1563: Heidelberg Catechism.
  • 1564: Calvin dies.
  • 1572: Anti-predestinarian preaching at Rotterdam and Hoorn. Coornhert adds his voice. Arminius begins studies at Utrecht about this time.
  • c.1574: Aemilius dies. Coolhaes, “forerunner of Arminius,” begins his ministry at Leiden. He espouses many views that Arminius later preached.
  • c.1575: Rudolph Snellius takes responsibility for Arminius and enrolls him in Marburg university. Arminius’ family killed in Oudewater massacre. He travels to Oudewater and returns to Marburg. University at Leiden is established. Coolhaes lectures in theology at Leiden.
  • 1576: Arminius goes to Rotterdam. Peter Bertius (Senior) befriends Arminius and sends him to Leiden to study.
  • 1581: Views of Coolhaes condemned. Merchants Guild of Amsterdam underwrites Arminius’ studies at Geneva.
  • 1582: Arminius matriculates at Geneva. Coolhaes deposed from the ministry and excommunicated.
  • 1583: Arminius studies at Basel. He is offered a doctorate from Basel, but he refuses due to his youth.
  • 1584: Arminius returns to Geneva.
  • 1585: Arminius travels to Zurich.
  • 1586: Arminius leaves Geneva, visits university at Padua and tours Rome. 1587 Arminius reports to Amsterdam for pastoral service.
  • 1588: Arminius is ordained.
  • 1590: Arminius marries. Differences arise between him and the consistory. About this time, Arminius is asked to write against Coornhert and against two Delft ministers who had attacked supralapsarianism in a pamphlet.
  • 1591: Arminius is appointed a member of commission to draw up new church order. He preaches on Romans 7. Arminius’ first child is born and dies. Plancius stirs up controversy. “First Arminian Controversy.”
  • 1592: Amsterdam burgomasters intervene in dispute between Arminius and the consistory. Plancius becomes very involved in designing maps and planning Dutch trade voyages to his own profit.
  • 1593: Arminius designs new model for Amsterdam schools.
  • 1596: Snecanus issues his introduction to Romans 9. Arminius, already having preached on the passage, concurs with his views and corresponds with him. Arminius also begins correspondence on predestination with Franciscus Junius.
  • 1599: Arminius is assigned to refute Anabaptists.
  • 1601: The plague strikes Holland.
  • 1602: Trelcatius and Junius, both professors at Leiden, die. Arminius writes his Examination of Perkins’ Pamphlet.
  • 1603: Arminius is appointed professor of theology at Leiden and made doctor of theology.
  • 1604: Arminius presents theses on predestination. Gomarus counterattacks. Second Arminian controversy.
  • 1605: Arminius is Rector Macinificus of university. Leiden theological teachers disclaim any fundamental disagreements. Arminius issues answers to “Nine Questions.”
  • 1606: Arminius’ rectoral address “On Reconciling Religious Dissensions.” States General call for a national synod “to revise the Confession and Catechism.” Arminius explains autotheos and is promptly, but falsely, accused of Socinianism.
  • 1607: Secret truce negotiations between Holland and Spain. Preparatory Convention (for national synod) meets at The Hague. Gouda Catechism is published.
  • 1608: National hysteria over truce. Arminius is accused of Roman Catholic sympathies. Arminius and Gomarus are summoned to appear before the High Court. Arminius writes two apologies and delivers his Declaration of Sentiments before the States of Holland and West Friesland. The States ask the clergy to submit their objections to the Confession and Catechism. Gomarus addresses the States.
  • 1609: Arminius has sharp attack of the disease that finally took his life.
    Conference at The Hague between Arminius and Gomarus and their deputies. Arminius leaves due to sickness. Arminius dies October 19.
  • 1610: Remonstrance.
  • 1618: Synod of Dort. Remonstrants are denounced and silenced on pain of banishment. Synod opts for infralapsarianism rather than supralapsarianism.