Arminianism, which takes its
name from Jacobus Arminius (Jakob Harmensen), is a moderate theological revision of Calvinism that limits the significance of Predestination. Arminius (1560 - 1609) was a Dutch Reformed theologian who studied at Leiden and
Geneva. He became a professor at Leiden in 1603 and spent the rest of his life defending against strict Calvinists his position that
God'
s sovereignty and human free
will are compatible. He sought without success revision of the Dutch Reformed (Belgic) Confession; nevertheless, he was very influential in Dutch Protestantism.
A Remonstrance in 1610 gave the
name Remonstrants to the Arminian
party. They were condemned by the Synod of Dort (1618 -
19), but later received toleration. English revisionist theology of the 17th century was called Arminian, although possibly without direct influence from Holland. John
Wesley accepted the term for his theological position and published The Arminian Magazine. The tension between the Arminian and Calvinist positions in theology became quiescent until Karl Barth sparked its revival in the 20th century.