From 1618 to 1619, the Dutch government on behalf of the Dutch Reformed Church, called and convened the Synod of Dort. Dutch delegates, along with twenty-seven Calvinist representatives from eight other countries, met at this Synod of Dort, where they collectively summarized their views in what was called the "Canons of Dort".[1]
This same Synod then added these Canons to two other documents, both of which were in common use by the Dutch Church at the time: the Heidelberg Catechism (1563) and the Belgic Confession (1561).[1]
to allow members to gather together in unity around fundamental, shared beliefs;
to relegate certain non-essential ideas (political positions, educational platforms, etc.) to a lower status to prevent the churches from needlessly splitting—the forms also provide a basis upon which ecumenical efforts can proceed based on whether a body accepts the essentials laid out in these forms
The different documents each serve different purposes.
The Catechism is written in a question-and-answer format to help explain biblical teaching to children and those new to the faith.
The Confession explains various biblical teachings.