This week in Christian history: influential bishop born, Martin Luther protector dies, Arminius

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, May 03, 2020

Arminianism founder appointed to university – May 8, 1603

A portrait of Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609), also known as James Arminius, Jakob Hermanszoon, and Jacob Arminius, the Dutch Protestant theologian who challenged Reformed Theology. | (Photo: Public Domain)

This week marks the anniversary of when Jacobus Arminius, the theologian that created Arminianism, which states that human beings have a degree of free will when it came to salvation, was appointed professor of Theology at the University of Leiden.

Also called James Arminius, Jakob Hermanszoon, and Jacob Arminius, he famously challenged the beliefs of fellow Protestant theologian John Calvin, who argued that God has predestined the fate of people's salvation.

“When first proposed for the position, Arminius doubted he would take the job. He had formed loving ties with his flock in Amsterdam,” noted Christianity.com.

“Amsterdam was persuaded to release Arminius. The city promised to provide his widow a pension should he die before her and they gave him a substantial parting gift. His appointment had cleared its last hurdle.”