One of the greatest ‘councils’ for the coining and defining of foundational theological terms was the Synod of Dort, which began in November 1618 and deliberated for eight months. This year sees the 400th anniversary of a dispute where the gulf between Arminianism and Calvinism was so clearly marked and concepts clarified for subsequent generations. Theologian and historian Dr Nick Needham gave two addresses on this event, the first of which dealt with the background and tensions of the memorable theological conflict and its risks.