This collection of thirteen essays originated from sessions of the Evangelical Theological Society and a conference at Westminster Theological Seminary California commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Dordrecht (or Dort), held in 1618–1619, and particularly the confessional document produced by that synod, the Canons of Dort. The contributors largely represent a narrow section of conservative Reformed ecclesiastical backgrounds. While the volume is presented in the series “Academic Studies,” only a few of the essays qualify as academic. Two chapters are historical in nature and break new ground. The others are plainly designed for churchly edification and directed at the already convinced. The essays are divided into three categories—Historical, Theological, and Experiential—but the division does not hold up well.

There are two essays that are especially of interest for readers of this journal. The first is Martin Klauber's study of the theological reception of the Canons in France. Notable here is the ambitious yet ill-fated vision of greater protestant unity nurtured by Pierre du Moulin before and after the synod, which, as a French delegate, he was prohibited from attending. Secondly, Donald Sinnema illuminates the relationship of church and state at the synod, pointing out that while the Remonstrants favored an Erastian, state-controlled church, the influence of the States General did not work in their favor. At the same time, the Contra-Remonstrants at Dort acquiesced to state influence because, at that moment, the government favored their cause.

Among the remaining essays, many are fine as churchly ruminations on the Synod and rallying cries for Dort's theological heirs. But they fall short as “academic studies” for several reasons, including their purely confessional nature and intention. In addition, modern theological and philosophical agendas are quite evident, which leads to a sense of anachronism in the approaches to Dort. Some of the essays lack historical context and interaction with secondary literature; a few are simply uncritical hagiography; one is largely a summary of one of du Moulin's works. For the most part, the remaining essays are for confessional encouragement and exhortation. But one must question whether they belong in an academic series.