Author Description

The Voice of Our Fathers, written by seminary professor Homer C. Hoeksema, is the most thorough commentary in English on the Canons of Dordrecht (Dordt), formulated in 1619, which became a crucial creedal document for Reformed churches in the Netherlands and elsewhere. The author provides a valuable historical introduction to the "Great Synod," which convened from November 1618 through May 1619 in the Dutch city of Dordrecht to deal with teachings being spread by the Remonstrants (followers of Arminius). Professor Hoeksema explains why the Canons of Dordt were adopted and became an important creed of the Reformed churches. In his commentary, he carefully examines the statements of the Canons paragraph by paragraph, explaining the theology and showing how admirably the sovereignty of God in salvation was defended against its attackers. Important appendix material gives the history of the Synod published by the States General of the Netherlands, demonstrating the unscrupulous, deceptive behavior of the Arminian party and giving a most interesting account of how the Arminians tried to counter the five main subjects covered in the Canons that came to be known as the Five Points of Calvanism, or the "doctrines of grace."