Counter-Remonstrants

Counter-Remonstrants were supporters of traditional Calvinist Protestant beliefs in 17th-century Netherlands, opposing the Remonstrants who advocated for more liberal interpretations of theology, emphasizing free will alongside predestination. The movement arose during religious disputes over doctrine, particularly around issues like salvation and God's sovereignty. Counter-Remonstrants sought to uphold orthodox Reformed teachings and maintain religious order, often aligning with state authorities to suppress what they saw as heresy. In essence, they represented the conservative side in a key theological debate shaping church and state relations during that period.