I created this Family Tree to better understand Arminius's family and his relationships at Ledien University (1603-1609).
Overview:
When Arminius assumed the role of professor at Leiden University in 1603, his life was already intertwined with the city and its Staten College. Johannes Kuchlinius, serving as the college's regent and having previously worked alongside Arminius in Amsterdam, became his step-uncle following his marriage to Arminius's paternal aunt, Geertgen Jacobsdochter, on December 10th, 1596. This marriage not only solidified their familial bond but also introduced Petrus Bertius, a longtime friend of Arminius and professor of philosophy and ethics at Leiden University, as his step-cousin. Additionally, in 1599, Festus Hommius, a prominent pastor at Leiden known for his criticisms of Arminius's theology, joined as another step-cousin by marrying Kuchlinius’s daughter Jannetje. Thus, by 1603, Arminius had friend and foe in his family while beginning his Leiden years again.
Here's a brief historical look at these individuals:
Johannes Kuchlinius
According to Bangs, Johannes Kuchlinius is best understood as a "sober and mature leader, a strong person in controversy, doctrinally loyal to the Heidelberg Catechism as a statement of Calvinism." (107) Born in 1546 in Hesse, he served as a pastor there before moving to Emden and then later Amsterdam in 1578. While there he became the unofficial lead minister. In 1595, he became Regent Professor at Staten College and later Arminius's step Uncle, as mentioned above.
However, a conflict arose between Kuchlinius and Arminius in 1605. Kuchlinius, dissatisfied with Arminius's teachings, attempted to assert his authority by scheduling lectures at the same time as Arminius's. As Regent Professor he prompted all scholarship students to attend his lectures under the threat of losing their aid. Arminius, of course, raised objections to this, and the burgomasters had the schedules restored to their original state.
Despite this dispute, Kuchlinius was not a monolithic character. As Stanglin notes, he was esteemed for his "clear-headedness and sound judgment," qualities that contributed to his role as a stabilizing force during his time at Staten College. (35) Stanglin highlights Kuchlinius's ability to maintain harmony despite theological differences with Bertius, and for Kuchlinius's ability to get the faculty to sign a "statment of agreement." (35) Sadly, Kuchlinius's tenure came to an end with his death in 1606.
Petrus Bertius
Petrus Bertius the Younger first met Arminius in the aftermath of the Oudewater Massacre. As a refugee, Arminius went to Rotterdam where he stayed in the home of Bertius the Elder. Despite Arminius being older, they formed a strong friendship and pursued their education together in Leiden.
As mentioned already, in 1596 Bertius married Marijtge, Kuchlinus's daughter, and later with Kuchlinius's fifth marriage Arminius and Bertius became step-cousins.
Ten years later, after Kuchlinus's death in 1606, Bertius took over as Regent of Staten College for total of nine years. However, his leadership lacked the stability of Kuchlinus, and conflicts quickly broke out into the public sphere.
In 1609, Arminius passed away, prompting Bertius to deliver a heartfelt eulogy. Later, after the Synod of Dordt, Bertius relocated to Paris, embracing Roman Catholicism.
Festus Hommius
Hommius was no fan of Arminius's teachings, and in 1605 both men agreed to discuss such things publicly under the witnesses of Uitenbogaert and Borris (Hommius' colleague).
As Bangs notes, Arminius was able to defend himself quite adequately and because of this "Hommius was silenced for the moment and agreed "to institute an inquiry after truth." He told his friends later, however, that upon returning home he had prayed to God for light and it had been revealed to him to continue in his opinions." (p. 265) Of course, this did not please Arminius one bit, and on May 20th Arminius wrote to Uitenbogaert mocking Hommius's revelation: "Well done, worthy investigator of the truth! As if God, forsooth, grants his Holy Spirit at one prayer in such large bestowals as to impart the ability to judge, in matters so great, without any liability of error.”
In the end, after Arminius's death Festus Hommius began working with the university, and later was the secretary at the Synod of Dordt. In 1619, he also acquired the position as regent of Staten College.
Bibliography:
Bangs, Carl O. Arminius: A Study in the Dutch Reformation. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 1985.
Stanglin, Keith D. Arminius on the Assurance of Salvation: The Context, Roots, and Shape of the Leiden Debate, 1603-1609. Brill’s Series in Church History, Vol. 27. Leiden: Brill, 2007.
Comments