document_title: Trolls: The Beat Goes On!

question_text: who does the voice of branch on trolls

question_tokens: who does the voice of branch on trolls

text: Trolls: The Beat Goes On!

text: Plot

text: The show picks up where the film Trolls left off; the series will follow Queen Poppy, her boyfriend  Branch, the Snack Pack and the other Trolls, and their Bergen pals, as they experience everyday life in Troll Village.

text: Cast and characters

text:
Skylar Astin as Branch, an over-cautious Troll survivalist, and Queen Poppy's boyfriend.
Amanda Leighton as Poppy, the optimistic queen of the Trolls, and Branch's girlfriend.
Kari Wahlgren as Bridget, Poppy's best friend.
Wahlgren also voices Bernice, a Bergen, Bella Brightly,a troll, Harper, another troll who is very artistic, Mags Gumdrop and Old Lady Bergen.
Sam Lerner as King Gristle, the leader of the Bergens.
Sean T. Krishnan as Guy Diamond, a glittery, silver naked troll with a highly Auto-tuned voice
Kevin Michael Richardson as Smidge, a troll with an extremely deep voice.
Richardson also voices Groth, a Bergen, and Chad and Todd, the guards of the Royal Bergen family, Eyestalk, Maitre D', Foreman and Klaus Von Frousting.
Fryda Wolff as DJ Suki, the Trolls' resident disk jockey, Satin and Chenille, twins who are joined by their hair, Dr. Moonbloom, Gemma Fur and Gia Grooves.
David Fynn as Biggie, a chubby, friendly troll, and Mr. Dinkles, his pet worm.
Ron Funches as Cooper, a giraffe-like troll who walks on all fours.
Walt Dohrn as Cloud Guy, an anthropomorphic cloud who often makes fun of Branch.
Matt Lowe as Creek, a troll with zen-like wisdom.
David Kaye as King Peppy, the former leader of the Trolls.
Declan Churchil Carter as Keith, a young troll.
Abby Ryder Fortson as Priscilla, a young troll.
Gary Cole as Sky Toronto, the boss and owner of Sky Toronto's Party Shop
Utkarsh Ambudkar as Master Controll, a troll.
Arnie Pantoja as Archer Pastry, a glitter troll.
Sainty Nelsen as Nova Swift.
David Koechner as Buzby, a Bergen.
Pat Pinney as Nangus, a Bergen who is in charge of the dungeon.

text: Episodes

text: SeasonEpisodesOriginally released16January 19, 201827March 9, 2018

text: Season 1 (2018)

text:
No.overallNo. inseasonTitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date1a1a"A New Bergen-ing"Allan Jacobson, Spencer Laudiero, and Jim MortensenStory by : Hannah Friedman Teleplay by : Matthew Beans Storyboard by : Marcelo De Souza, Naz Ghodrati-Azadi, Ruolin Li, Howie Perry, Stan Ruiz, and Sang Eun SongJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
Queen Poppy invites the Bergens to a party, leaving the other trolls horrified.
1b1b"Laugh-Out Cloud"Alex Almaguer and Howie PerryWritten by : Matt Ackels Storyboard by : Noel BelknapJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
Cloud Guy offers to end a drought, but only if Branch becomes his best friend for a day.
2a2a"Two-Party System"Spencer Laudiero and Jim MortensenWritten by : Matt Ackels Storyboard by : Dennis Messner, Stan Ruiz, and Sang Eun SongJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
Poppy faces a dilemma after she learns that Bridget and Branch both share the same birthday.
2b2b"Fun Branch"Alex AlmaguerWritten by : Nate Federman Storyboard by : Sang Eun SongJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
Branch invites the Snack Pack into his bunker in order to prove he's fun.
3a3a"Royal Review"Naz Ghodrati-AzadiWritten by : Caitlin Meares Storyboard by : Kevin FrankJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
A nervous Poppy awaits for her performance as queen.
3b3b"Funishment"Spencer Laudiero and Jim MortensenWritten by : Elaine Carroll Storyboard by : Onno De Jong, Marcelo De Souza, Ian Freedman, and Howie PerryJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
Poppy has to implement discipline in her kingdom when Cooper accidentally steals a Bergen's pie.
4a4a"Bad News Bergens"Naz Ghodrati-AzadiWritten by : Marissa Berlin Storyboard by : Ruolin LiJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
Poppy signs the trolls up for Bergenball.
4b4b"Unhealthy Competition"Alex AlmaguerWritten by : Marissa Berlin Storyboard by : Noel BelknapJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
Smidge's stoutberry juice and Guy Diamond's Glitterade are rivaled.
5a5a"Cloudy with a Chance of Hugs"Jim MortensenWritten by : John D'Arco Storyboard by : Marcelo De SouzaJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
When Poppy and Cloud Guy hang out on Hug Day (a day where Trolls can only hug one another), a jealous Branch fears that Poppy's hug will be gone.
5b5b"Creek Week"Brian Hatfield and Spencer LaudieroWritten by : Julia Miranda Storyboard by : Stan Ruiz and Portlynn TagaviJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
After he survived being eaten at the end of Trolls, a reformed Creek returns to Troll Village.
6a6a"The Giver"Naz Ghodrati-Azadi and Bryan NewtonWritten by : John D'Arco Storyboard by : Ruolin LiJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
Poppy must figure out who left some gifts every harvest moon.
6b6b"Bellow Bug Day"Alex AlmaguerWritten by : Nate Federman Storyboard by : Noel BelknapJanuary 19, 2018 (2018-01-19)
Things go from bad to worse when Poppy tries to fix a holiday.

text: Season 2 (2018)

text:
No.overallNo. inseasonTitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date7a1a"Prank Day"Alex AlmaguerWritten by : John D'Arco, Nate Federman and Alex Reid Storyboard by : Noel Belknap, Yaron Farkash and Portlynn TagaviMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
This Prank Day, Poppy and Branch must outprank each other in order to earn the title of "Prank Master".
7b1b"Adventures in Dinkles-Sitting"Naz Ghodrati-AzadiWritten by : Cam Baity Storyboard by : Ruolin LiMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
Poppy and Branch agree to babysit Mr. Dinkles, but things take a detour (for Branch, anyway).
8a2a"Eye'll Be Watching You"Alex AlmaguerStory by : Hannah Friedman and Sam Friedman Teleplay by : Matthew Beans Storyboard by : Noel Belknap, Howie Perry and Sang Eun SongMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
Branch creates a safety monitor for the village.
8b2b"Sorry Not Sorry"Naz Ghodrati-AzadiWritten by : Marissa Berlin Storyboard by : Kevin FrankMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
After upsetting Bridget—and to think that Bergens apologize—Gristle seeks help from Poppy on doing so.
9a3a"Big Poppy"Alex AlmaguerWritten by : Matthew Beans Storyboard by : Amy MaiMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
Poppy competes at a rap battle in order to save DJ Suki's show.
9b3b"Neighbor War"Brian HatfieldWritten by : Alex Reid Storyboard by : Fabien Tong and Portlynn TagaviMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
Branch's plans go wrong when it comes to drive Sky Toronto away.
10a4a"Remote Out of Control"Brian Hatfield and Zesung KangWritten by : Nate Federman and Alex Reid Storyboard by : Marcelo De Souza and Portlynn TagaviMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
Smidge, Guy, Cooper and Biggie steal Branch's remote control—whom he dubs it "Gary"—and take it out for a spin.
10b4b"Critter Comfort"Naz Ghodrati-AzadiWritten by : Matthew Beans and Nate Federman Storyboard by : Kevin Frank and Pat PakulaMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
It doesn't help matters when Poppy "helps" a bunch of Swampkins.
11a5a"The Poppy Horror Picture Show"Naz Ghodrati-Azadi and Brian HatfieldWritten by : Julia Miranda Storyboard by : Kevin FrankMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
A scary story frightens Biggie so much, he hides away.
11b5b"Dinkles Dinkles Little Star"Brian Hatfield, Spencer Laudiero and Greg MillerWritten by : Matt Ackels Storyboard by : Marcelo De SouzaMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
Biggie hires a confidence coach to include Mr. Dinkles in a pet show.
12a6a"The Party Games"Naz Ghodrati-AzadiWritten by : John D'Arco and Alex Reid Storyboard by : Ruolin LiMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
Guy is dumbfounded when a new Party Games contestant arrives.
12b6b"Trolly Tales"Alex AlmaguerWritten by : Nate Federman and Alex Reid Storyboard by : Amy MaiMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
On the kids' first day in the library, Branch and Poppy relive some old tales.
13a7a"Model Behavior"Alex AlmaguerWritten by : John D'Arco Storyboard by : Yaron FarkashMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
Satin and Chenille put on a fashion show.
13b7b"Pillow War"Jim MortensenWritten by : Nate Federman Storyboard by : Pat Pakula and Fabien TongMarch 9, 2018 (2018-03-09)
The village puts on a pillow fight in order for one to win the very comfortable Pillow of Destiny.

text: Soundtrack

text:
DreamWorks Trolls - The Beat Goes On! (Music From the TV Series)Soundtrack album by Cast  of Trolls: The Beat Goes On!Released
March 16, 2018Genre
SoundtrackLength
34:00Label
RCA Records

text: Songs

text: All tracks written by Da Fonseca and Yaeger except written.

text: No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length1."Hair In The Air"Jeannie Lurie, Mia Minichiello, and Matias MoraAmanda Leighton, Skylar Astin, and Ensemble2:162."Happily Ever After" Leighton, Astin, and Ensemble2:343."One and Only Love" Kari Wahlgren, Sam Lerner2:224."Sunshine All the Time" Fryda Wolff2:355."Best Day Ever" Leighton2:326."Party On" Kevin Michael Richardson2:207."Forgive Me (Show Version)" Astin2:248."Move Ya Body" Walt  Dohrn2:429."The Other Side of the Storm" Leighton, Astin2:5810."Happy Prank Day" Leighton, Ensemble Cast2:1811."Rap Battle Suite" Leighton, Richardson, Utkarsh Ambudkar, David Fynn2:1512."Dance It Out" Leighton2:4913."The Winners" Leighton2:2214."Forgive Me (Remix)" Astin2:22

text: Broadcast

text: The series was released internationally on Netflix. It was also released in the United Kingdom on Pop, in Australia on ABC Me, and in Canada on Family.

text: Home media

text: A DVD collection of all the season 1 episodes, titled Trolls: The Beat Goes On!: Season 1 was released on DVD on 2018 by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.


document_title: Legend of the Galactic Heroes

question_text: legend of the galactic heroes die neue these characters

root

text: Legend of the Galactic Heroes

text: Setting[edit]

text: In AD 2801 the Galactic Federation is formed, which results in political power moving away from the planet Earth (now named Terra) and the Space Era calendar replacing the Gregorian calendar, with 2801 AD now being SE 1.[1] Rudolf von Goldenbaum, an ex-admiral turned dictatorial politician is elected to power, makes himself Emperor Rudolf I, absolute monarch of the renamed Galactic Empire, and restarts the calendar again, starting the Imperial Calendar on SE 310/AD 3110. Rudolf adopts extremist policies including the suppression of any opposition and the extermination of anyone perceived too weak, such as the disabled and those in poverty, which he carried out until his death in IC 42/SE 351/AD 3151.[2] He also moves the capital of the Empire to the planet Odin, third planet in the Valhalla system.[3]

tag: p

text: In IC 164/SE 473/AD 3273, a group of serfs in the Altair star system manage to escape captivity and make "the Long March of 10,000 Light-Years" into the Sagittarius Arm to escape the Galactic Empire, which is located within the Orion Arm. These people set up the Free Planets Alliance, a democratic republic, using the Space Era calendar, founding the Alliance in SE 527/IC 218/AD 3327 on the planet Heinessen. In SE 640/IC 331/AD 3440 the first battle between the Empire and Alliance occurs, resulting in a major Alliance victory. The two realms have been at war ever since.[4]

text: A third realm is also set up, the Dominion of Phezzan, a planet-state (city-state on a galactic scale) with connections to Terra. It technically remains a part of the Empire and pays tribute, but it also maintains a relationship with the Alliance. Ruled by a domain lord called the "landsherr" Phezzan gains power by acting as both the paragon and trickster, providing the only link between the Empire and Alliance whilst simultaneously playing the two sides against one another.[5]

text: Plot[edit]

text: The story is staged in the distant future within our own Milky Way Galaxy, starting in SE 796/IC 487/AD 3596.[6] A portion of the galaxy is filled with terraformed worlds inhabited by interstellar traveling human beings. For 150 years two mighty space powers have intermittently warred with each other: the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance.

text: Within the Galactic Empire, based on mid 19th century Prussia, an ambitious military genius, Reinhard von Müsel, later conferred Reinhard von Lohengramm, is rising to power. He is driven by the desire to free his sister Annerose, who was taken by the Kaiser as a concubine. Later, he wants not only to end the corrupt Goldenbaum dynasty but also to defeat the Free Planets Alliance and to unify the whole galaxy under his rule.

text: In the Free Planets Alliance Star Fleet is another genius, Yang Wen-li. He originally aspired to become a historian through a military academy, and joined the tactical division only out of need for tuition money. He was rapidly promoted to an admiral because he demonstrated excellence in military strategy in a number of decisive battles and conflicts. He becomes the archrival of Reinhard, though they highly respect one another. Unlike Reinhard he is better known for his underdog victories and accomplishments in overcoming seemingly impossible odds and mitigating casualties and damages due to military operations.

text: As a historian, Yang often predicts the motives behind his enemies and narrates the rich history of his world and comments on it. One of his famous quotes is: "There are few wars between good and evil; most are between one good and another good."

text: Besides the two main heroes, the story is full of vivid characters and intricate politics. All types of characters, from high nobility, admirals and politicians, to common soldiers and farmers, are interwoven into the story. The story frequently switches away from the main heroes to the Unknown Soldier fighting for his life on the battlefield.

text: There is a third neutral power nominally attached to the Galactic Empire called the Phezzan Dominion, a planet-state which trades with both warring powers. There is also a Terraism cult, which claims that humans should go back to Earth, gaining popularity throughout the galaxy. Throughout the story executive political figures of Phezzan in concert with the upper-hierarchy of the Terraism cult orchestrate a number of conspiracies to shift the tide of the galactic war so that it may favor their objectives.

text: Novels[edit]

text: Legend of the Galactic Heroes (Japanese: 銀河英雄伝説, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu) is a series of ten science-fiction novels written by Tanaka Yoshiki, as well as a number of other, shorter stories set in the same universe. It won the Seiun Award for "Best Novel of the Year" in 1988.[7] On July 2, 2015, Viz Media had announced that they had licensed the novels for release in North America under their Haikasoru imprint.[8] They have only licensed the first three novels, but will license more if sales are good.[8] The first novel, Dawn was released on March 8, 2016 with Ambition released soon after on July 19, 2016.

text: Adaptations[edit]

text: Anime[edit]

text: My Conquest is the Sea of Stars[edit]

text: Legend of the Galactic Heroes: My Conquest is the Sea of Stars (銀河英雄伝説　わが征くは星の大海, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Waga Yuku wa Hoshi no Taikai) is the first animated adaptation of Yoshiki Tanaka's Legend of the Galactic Heroes series of novels. It was originally released in Japan on 6 February 1988. The film chronicles the first combat encounter between Reinhard von Müsel (who later adopted the Lohengramm name) and Yang Wen-li, the two primary protagonists of the series. The main original video animation (OVA) series followed only months later.

text: Legend of the Galactic Heroes[edit]

text: Legend of the Galactic Heroes (銀河英雄伝説, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu), also known by the (ungrammatical) German title Heldensagen vom Kosmosinsel, which is written on the official logo, sometimes abbreviated as LOTGH. This is the main series. It is the second and longest-running animated adaptation of Yoshiki's series of novels. It was released in direct home video installments during four separate periods between December 1988 and March 1997. The OVA comprises 110 episodes, which together total more than 2800 minutes of animation. It was later shown on television and has seen multiple releases on both DVD and Blu-ray formats.

text: Golden Wings[edit]

text: Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Golden Wings (銀河英雄伝説外伝　黄金の翼, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Ōgon no Tsubasa) is the third animated adaptation of Tanaka's novels. It was originally released on home video in Japan in October 1992, then released in cinemas in December of the same year. Its art style is notable in that it follows the art style of the manga rather than the other animated works. Its ending theme song is "Futari Mita Yume ~Two of Us~", performed and composed by Hiroyuki Matsuda, written by Gorou Matsui and arranged by David Campbell.

text: Overture to a New War[edit]

text: Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Overture to a New War (銀河英雄伝説外伝　新たなる戦いの序曲(オーヴァチュア), Ginga Eiyū Densetsu: Arata Naru Tatakai no Ōvachua) is the fourth animated adaptation of Tanaka's novels. It was originally released in Japan on 18 December 1993. It expands upon the events covered in the first two episodes of the 1988 OVA series.

text: Gaiden[edit]

text: Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden (銀河英雄伝説 外伝, Ginga Eiyū Densetsu Gaiden) is the fifth animated adaptation (counting films) of Tanaka's novel series. It was originally released in Japan between February 1998 and July 2000. It served as a prequel to the main series.

text: Series 1, released in February 1998, is the first animated adaptation of the Legend of the Galactic Heroes Gaiden, or side stories, series of novels, consisting of adaptations of the short stories Silver-White Valley, Dreams of the Morning, Songs of the Night, Dishonour and the novel A Hundred Billion Stars, a Hundred Billion Lights.

text: Series 2, released between December 1999 and July 2001, is the second animated adaptation of the side stories from the Legend of the Galactic Heroes series of novels, consisting of the adaptations of the novels Spiral Labyrinth and part of Star Crusher (adapted as The Third Battle of Tiamat), as well as the original stories The Mutineer, The Duellist and The Retriever.

text: Die Neue These[edit]

text: Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These started being produced by Production I.G during 2017.[9] Shunsuke Tada directed the series and Noboru Takagi supervised the scripts. Yoko Kikuchi, Iwao Teraoka, and Katsura Tsushima designed the characters. The mecha designs by Naoyuki Kato were drafted by Atsushi Takeuchi, Shinji Usui, and Shinobu Tsuneki. DMM Pictures, Shochiku, and Tokuma Shoten were credited with production of the anime alongside Production I.G. The series was split into two seasons. Season 1, The Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These Kaikō (The New Thesis: Star-Crossed) began airing 12 episodes beginning April 3, 2018.[10] Season 2, The Legend of the Galactic Heroes Die Neue These Seiran (The New Thesis: Stellar War) is to premiere in Japanese theaters as three films of four episodes each in 2019.[11]

text: The anime stars Mamoru Miyano as Reinhard von Lohengramm, Kenichi Suzumura as Yang Wen-li & Yuichiro Umehara as Siegfried Kircheis (main characters). For season one, the opening theme is "Binary Star" by Sawano Hiroyuki, and the ending theme is "Wish" by Elisa.[12]

text: Stage productions[edit]

text: On 12 February 2014, the latest stage production of Legend of the Galactic Heroes opened, and it ended with an announcement of a new anime adaptation. Tanaka's secretary, Hirofumi Adachi, confirmed the news and relayed the producer's comments that the new anime is not a remake of the earlier anime, but another anime adaptation of the original novels with a new staff.

text: English release[edit]

text: On 2 July 2015, Sentai Filmworks announced their license to the anime series at their panel at Anime Expo[13] and later commented that they hoped to create the "definitive release".[14]

text: On 20 June 2017, Sentai Filmworks announced the streaming release on Hidive's anime streaming service starting the same day.[15]

text: Manga[edit]

text: The first manga adaptation is authored by Katsumi Michihara, and is derived from the first two volumes of the original-novel. This manga story is faithful to the original, possibly more faithful than the anime. However, there are some changes that could be considered major, e.g. the sex of several characters is changed. Akira Kasahara cooperated in drawing mechanics.

text: Musical[edit]

text: The series has been adapted as a musical by the all female performance troupe Takarazuka Revue.[16]


document_title: Languages of Aruba

question_text: what is the official language spoken in aruba

text: Languages of Aruba

text: There are many languages spoken on the Caribbean island of Aruba. The official language is Dutch and Papiamento, although schools require students to learn English, Spanish, French, and to a lesser extent, Portuguese which is also spoken on the island. According to the Government of Aruba the mother tongue and primary vernacular of almost all Arubans is a local language known as Papiamento,[1] an Afro-Portuguese Creole language spoken since the 16th century. The language, however, was not widespread in Aruba till the 18th and 19th centuries when most materials on the island and even Roman Catholic schoolbooks were written in Papiamento.

text: Dutch has been the official language of the island for years as the island is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba has recognized English as an international language, and has required that children learn English as early as the 4th grade. Since May 2003 Papiamento has also been officially declared as the official language, alongside Dutch. Aruba's location off the coast of South America has also made Spanish extremely important. Students begin learning this as early as 5th grade.

text: Papiamento is a language with roots mainly from Portuguese, and to a lesser extent, from Dutch, Spanish and English. It originated in the 16th century as a means of communication among slaves and slave drivers.

text: Papiamento was not considered important on Aruba until 1995. It was officially included in school curriculum in 1998 and 1999. Since then, the island has embraced the native language of Papiamento. A Papiamento dictionary and fairy tales written in Papiamento are now readily available on the island.

text: Selected Aruban Papiamento phrases[edit]

text:
Papiamento
Spanish
Portuguese
Dutch
English

Bon dia
Buenos días
Bom dia
Goedemorgen
Good morning

Bon tardi
Buenas tardes
Boa tarde
Goedemiddag
Good afternoon

Bon nochi
Buenas noches
Boa noite
Goedenacht/Goedenavond
Good night

Bon bini
Bienvenido
Bem vindo
Welkom
Welcome

Danki
Gracias
Obrigado
Dank u/Dank je
Thank you

Ayo
Adiós
Adeus
Tot ziens
Good-bye

Pasa un bon dia
Que tenga un buen día
Passa/Tenha um bom dia
Fijne dag
Have a good day

Con cos ta?
(Informal)
Con ta bai?
(Formal)

¿Cómo estás?/¿Cómo te va?
Como está/vai?
Hoe gaat het?
How are you?

Mi ta bon
(Yo) Estoy bien
(Eu) Estou bem
Met mij gaat het goed
I am fine

Cuant'or tin?
¿Qué hora es?/¿Qué horas son?
Que hora tem?/Que horas são?
Hoe laat is het?
What time is it?

Mi por papia Papiamento
(Yo) Puedo hablar papiamento
(Eu) Posso falar papiamento
Ik spreek Papiaments
I can speak Papiamento

Si
Sí
Sim
Ja
Yes

No
No
Não
Nee
No

Aruba ta bunita
Aruba es bonita
Aruba é bonita
Aruba is mooi
Aruba is beautiful

tag: table


document_title: Perseverance of the saints

question_text: where did the doctrine of once saved always saved come from

text: Perseverance of the saints

text: History[edit]

text: Church Father Augustine of Hippo taught that those whom God chooses to save are given, in addition to the gift of faith, a gift of perseverance (donum perseverantiae) which enables them to continue to believe, and precludes the possibility of falling away.[1]

text: The traditional Calvinist doctrine is one of the five points of Calvinism that were defined at the Synod of Dort during the Quinquarticular Controversy with the Arminian Remonstrants, who objected to the general predestinarian scheme of Calvinism. Wesleyanism agrees with Arminianism that true Christians can fall away, but they disagree over whether or not such fallen Christians can return again to salvation (Wesleyans believe they can, and Arminians deny that they can).

text: The traditional Calvinist doctrine of perseverance is articulated in the Canons of Dort (chapter 5), the Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter XVII), the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (Chapter 17), and may also be found in other Reformed Confessions. Nonetheless, the doctrine is most often mentioned in connection with other salvific schemes and is not a major focus of Reformed systematic theology (for instance, it does not even get a subheading in the three volume Systematic Theology by Hodge). It is, however, seen by many as the necessary consequence of Calvinism and of trusting in the promises of God.

text: Traditional Calvinism voiced its opposition to carnal Christianity and the non-traditional Calvinist doctrine in the recent controversy over Lordship salvation.

text: Reformed doctrine[edit]

text:
The Five Points
of Calvinism

(TULIP)

Total depravity

Unconditional election

Limited atonement

Irresistible grace

Perseverance of the saints

v
t
e

text: The Reformed tradition has consistently seen the doctrine of perseverance as a natural consequence to predestination. According to Calvinists, since God has drawn the elect to faith in Christ by regenerating their hearts and convincing them of their sins, and thus saving their souls by His own work and power, it naturally follows that they will be kept by the same power to the end. Since God has made satisfaction for the sins of the elect, they can no longer be condemned for them, and through the help of the Holy Spirit, they must necessarily persevere as Christians and in the end be saved. Calvinists believe this is what Peter is teaching in 1st Peter 1, verse 5 when he says, that true believers are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation". Outside Calvinist denominations this doctrine is widely considered to be flawed.

text: Calvinists also believe that all who are born again and justified before God necessarily and inexorably proceed to sanctification. Failure to proceed to sanctification in their view is considered by some as evidence that the person in question was never truly saved to begin with.[2] Proponents of this doctrine distinguish between an action and the consequences of an action, and suggest that after God has regenerated someone, the person's will has been changed, that "old things pass away" and "all things are become new", as it is written in the Bible, and he or she will therefore persevere in the faith.

text: The Westminster Confession of Faith has defined perseverance as follows:

text: They whom God hath accepted in His Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. ─Westminster Confession of Faith (chap. 17, sec. 1).[3]

text: This definition does not deny the possibility of failings in one's Christian experience, because the Confession also says:

text: Nevertheless [believers] may, through the temptations of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of the means of their preservation, fall into grievous sins; and for a time continue therein; whereby they incur God's displeasure, and grieve his Holy Spirit: come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts; have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded; hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon themselves (sec. 3).[3]

text: Theologian Charles Hodge summarizes the thrust of the Calvinist doctrine:

text: Perseverance…is due to the purpose of God [in saving men and thereby bringing glory to his name], to the work of Christ [in canceling men's debt and earning their righteousness ], to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit [in sealing men in salvation and leading them in God's ways], and to the primal source of all, the infinite, mysterious, and immutable love of God.[4]

text: On a practical level, Calvinists do not claim to know who is elect and who is not, and the only guide they have is the verbal testimony and good works (or "fruit") of each individual. Any who "fall away" (that is, do not persevere in the Christian faith until death) is assumed not to have been truly converted to begin with, though Calvinists do not claim to know with certainty who did and who did not persevere.

text: Essentially, Reformed doctrine believes that the same God whose power justified the Christian believer is also at work in the continued sanctification of that believer. As Philippians 2:13 says, "It is God who is at work in you, both to will and work for His good pleasure."

text: Thus, all who are truly born again are kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ, and can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace, but will persevere in their faith to the end, and be eternally saved. While Reformed theologians acknowledge that true believers at times will fall into sin, they maintain that a real believer in Jesus Christ cannot abandon one's own personal faith to the dominion of sin. They base their understanding on key scriptural passages such as Christ's words, "By their fruit you will know them"[Mt 7:16,20] and "He that endures to the end will be saved."[Mt 24:13] Similarly, a passage in 1 John says, "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God."[1Jn 3:7-9] The person who has truly been made righteous in Jesus Christ did not simply have faith at some point in life, but continues to live in that faith ("the righteous will live by faith."[Rom 1:17] This view understands that the security of believers is inseparable from their perseverance in the faith.[5]

text: Free Grace doctrine[edit]

text: The Free Grace or non-traditional Calvinist doctrine has been espoused by Charles Stanley, Norman Geisler, Zane C. Hodges, Bill Bright, and others. This view, like the traditional Calvinist view, emphasizes that people are saved purely by an act of divine grace that does not depend at all on the deeds of the individual, and for that reason, advocates insist that nothing the person can do can affect his or her salvation.

text: The Free Grace doctrine views the person's character and life after receiving the gift of salvation as independent from the gift itself, which is the main point of differentiation from the traditional Calvinist view, or, in other words, it asserts that justification (that is, being declared righteous before God on account of Christ) does not necessarily result in sanctification (that is, a progressively more righteous life). Charles Stanley, pastor of Atlanta's megachurch First Baptist and a television evangelist, has written that the doctrine of eternal security of the believer persuaded him years ago to leave his familial Pentecostalism and become a Southern Baptist. He sums up his deep conviction that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone when he claims, "Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy… believers who lose or abandon their faith will retain their salvation."[6] For example, Stanley writes:

text: Look at that verse [John 3:18] and answer this question: According to Jesus, what must a person do to keep from being judged for sin? Must he stop doing something? Must he promise to stop doing something? Must he have never done something? The answer is so simple that many stumble all over it without ever seeing it. All Jesus requires is that the individual "believe in" Him.

text: In a chapter entitled "For Those Who Stop Believing", he says, "The Bible clearly teaches that God's love for His people is of such magnitude that even those who walk away from the faith have not the slightest chance of slipping from His hand (p. 74)." A little later, Stanley also writes: "You and I are not saved because we have an enduring faith. We are saved because at a moment in time we expressed faith in our enduring Lord" (p. 80).

text: The doctrine sees the work of salvation as wholly monergistic, which is to say that God alone performs it and man has no part in the process beyond receiving it, and therefore, proponents argue that man cannot undo what they believe God has done. By comparison, in traditional Calvinism, people, who are otherwise unable to follow God, are enabled by regeneration to cooperate with him, and so the Reformed tradition sees itself as mediating between the total monergism of the non-traditional Calvinist view and the synergism of the Wesleyan, Arminian, and Roman Catholic views in which even unregenerate man can choose to cooperate with God in salvation.

text: The traditional Calvinist doctrine teaches that a person is secure in salvation because he or she was predestined by God, whereas in the Free Grace or non-traditional Calvinist views, a person is secure because at some point in time he or she has believed the Gospel message (Dave Hunt, What Love is This, p. 481).

text: Evangelical criticism[edit]

text: Both traditional Calvinism and traditional Arminianism have rejected Free Grace theology.[7] The former believes Free Grace to be a distorted form of Calvinism which maintains the permanency of salvation (or properly speaking, justification) while radically divorcing the ongoing work of sanctification from that justification. Reformed theology has uniformly asserted that "no man is a Christian who does not feel some special love for righteousness" (Institutes),[8] and therefore sees Free Grace theology, which allows for the concept of a "carnal Christian" or even an "unbelieving Christian", as a form of radical antinomianism. Arminianism, which has always believed true believers can give themselves completely over to sin, has also rejected the Free Grace view for the opposite reason of Calvinism: namely, that the view denies the classical Arminian doctrine that true Christians can lose their salvation by denouncing their faith (see conditional preservation of the saints). Free Grace theology struggles to maintain a middle ground, hoping to grasp the permancy of salvation (Calvinism) with one hand, while maintaining a true believer can still give up faith and choose to live a life of sin and unbelief (Arminianism). Both Calvinists and Arminians appeal to Biblical passages such as 1 Cor. 15:2 ("By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain"), Hebrews 3:14 ("We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first"), James 2:21-22 ("faith without works is dead"), and 2 Tim. 2:12 ("If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us").

text: Biblical evidence[edit]

text: This section contains too many quotations for an encyclopedic entry. Please help improve the article by presenting facts as a neutrally-worded summary with appropriate citations. Consider transferring direct quotations to Wikiquote. (February 2013)

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text: In addition to fitting neatly in the overarching Calvinist soteriology, Reformed and Free Grace advocates alike find specific support for the doctrine in various passages from the Bible:

text:
1Peter 1:23: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
John 5:24: "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."
John 6:35-37: Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out."
John 10:27-29: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand."
Romans 5:9: Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:35: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
Romans 8:38-39: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 11:29: For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Hebrews 3:14: For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
1 John 2:19: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
1 Corinthians 15:10: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
2 Corinthians 5:19: ...that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Ephesians 2:4-6: But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...
Ephesians 4:30: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Philippians 1:6: And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 1:12: ...which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
2 Timothy 2:13: ...if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself.
Hebrews 13:20-21: Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 John 3:9: No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.
1 John 5:4-5: For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Ephesians 1:13-14: In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
John 17:2,12: "...since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him." (12) "While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled."
1 Corinthians 1:6-8: ...even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you — so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
2 Thessalonians 3:3: But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
Hebrews 9:12: ...he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
1 Peter 1:3-5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 John 5:11-13: And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
Hebrews 6:17-19: So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain...
Jeremiah 32:39-40: I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.
Psalms 121
Isaiah 46:3-4: Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
Romans 9:6-8: But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
Psalms 20:6: Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.
Psalms 31:23: Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Psalms 37:28: For the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psalms 55:22: Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 125:1-2: They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

tag: ul

text: Counter Evidence[edit]

text: Calvinist interpretations[edit]

text: Some Calvinists admit that their interpretation is not without difficulties. One apparent consequence is that not all who "have shared in the Holy Spirit"[Acts 10:44-48] are necessarily regenerate. This is a consequence Calvinists are willing to accept since the Bible also says that King Saul had the "Spirit of God" in some sense and even prophesied by it,[1Sam 19:23-24] [11:6] but was not a follower of God. Calvin says,

text: Some challenge the Calvinist doctrine based on their interpretation of the admonishments in the book of Hebrews, including several passages in the Book of Hebrews,[10] but especially Hebrews 6:4-12 and Heb 10:26-39. The former passage says of those "who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come" that, when they "fall away", they cannot be "restored to repentance."[6:4-12] The latter passage says that if one continues in sin, "no sacrifice for sins" remains for that person but "only a fearful expectation of judgment."[10:26b-27a] The author of Hebrews predicts grave punishment for one who "has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace."[10:29]

text: The debate over these passages centers around the identity of the persons in question. While opponents of perseverance identify the persons as Christian believers, Calvinists suggest several other options:

text:
These passages are not clear enough to describe a regenerate person (or "true Christian"), and thus they do not describe the situation of a true believer. Instead, the persons in question may well have been part of the church community and had the advantages concomitant with that membership (citing the benefits of being a member of the covenant community in the Old Testament mentioned in Romans 3:1-4 and 9:4-5) without being truly "saved"—as with King Saul. In an effort to corroborate this interpretation, they also cite such passages as 1 John 2:19: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us."
These passages can refer to a regenerate person, but what is described is not a loss of salvation (because they believe other scriptural passages say that this is impossible), but instead a loss of eternal (or millennial) rewards.
The author is employing hyperbole to effect positive change in his audience's behavior, possibly referring to Christians leaving fellowship in Hebrews 10:25.
The passages refer to Jewish Christians who were reverting to Judaism.
The passages refer to the rejection of the covenant community as a whole, not individual believers (Verbrugge).

text: Some other passages put forth against the Calvinist doctrine include:

text:
Romans 11:22: Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27: Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Galatians 5:4: You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
2 Peter 2:20: For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
Colossians 1:21-23: And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Hebrews KJV:Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.
Revelation 3:2-5: "Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels."

text: In general, proponents of the doctrine of perseverance interpret such passages, which urge the church community to persevere in the faith but seem to indicate that some members of the community might fall away, as hortatory rather than objective in character. That is, they view the prophets and apostles as writing "from the human perspective", in which the members of the elect are unknowable and all should "work out [their] own salvation"[Phil 2:12] and "make [their] calling and election sure,"[2Pet 1:10] rather than "from the divine perspective", in which those who will persevere, according to Calvinism, are well known. The primary objection to this approach is that it might equally be said that these difficult passages bear the objective meaning while the passages urged to support this doctrine of perseverance are hortatory in a positive sense, revealing God's perpetual grace towards believers.

text: Other interpretations of Hebrews 6:4-6[edit]

text: Hebrews 6:4-6 is said by some[11] to be one of the Bible's most difficult passages to interpret, and may present the most difficulty for proponents of the Eternal Security of the Believer. The passage is understood by some to mean that "falling away" from an active commitment to Christ may cause one to lose their salvation, after they have attained salvation either according to the Reformed or Free Grace theology. However, numerous conservative Bible scholars do not believe the passage refers to a Christian losing genuinely attained salvation.

text: For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

text:
One interpretation holds that this passage is written not about Christians but about unbelievers who are convinced of the basic truths of the gospel but who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. They are intellectually persuaded but spiritually uncommitted. The phrase "once enlightened"[6:4] may refer to some level of instruction in biblical truth. "…have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away…" could be a reference to those who have tasted the truth about Jesus but, not having come all the way to faith, fall away from even the revelation they have been given. The tasting of truth is not enough to keep them from falling away from it. They must come all the way to Christ in complete repentance and faith.[11]
A second interpretation holds that this passage is written about Christians, and that the phrases "partakers of the Holy Ghost", "enlightened", and "tasted of the heavenly gift" are all descriptions of true believers. Some passages, including Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:23-31, are taken by some to suggest that a 'saved' person can lose their salvation. Others see them as severe warnings which do not include the loss of salvation, but in many cases fiery judgment for those who were never saved and only playing at Christianity.[12]
A third interpretation maintains that Hebrews 6:4-8 describes only those who temporarily backslide in their faith, and does not address the issue of the loss of salvation. This interpretation is well presented in an exegetical outline of the book of Hebrews found on the website of Ariel Ministries, a Messianic-Jewish organization founded by Arnold Fruchtenbaum in 1971. Some advocates of this position claim that the passage says that those who experience the five spiritual privileges mentioned in verses 4 and 5 cannot lose their salvation and then be saved again later (i.e. be "restore[d]... again to repentance") because that would require a recrucifixion of Christ (v. 6), thus rendering ineffectual his initial propitiatory death, putting Him to open shame. This position maintains that the Greek word used for "repentance" in verse 6 refers to "salvation repentance" rather than "repentance to restore fellowship." Supporters of this interpretation also cite the overall context of chapters 5 and 6 as evidence for their position: chapter 5 concludes with a rebuke to the recipients of the epistle for wasting time, dawdling in spiritual infancy, while chapter 6 begins with an exhortation not to continue wasting time as spiritual infants, but to "press on to maturity."
Finally, theologian David DeSilva writes that "Many interpreters are driven to treat this passage as either a 'problem passage' or crux for a specific theological or ideological conviction."[13] DeSilva agrees that the passage cannot refer to "saved" individuals since the author of Hebrews views salvation as the deliverance and reward that awaits the faithful at the return of Christ. Those who have trusted God's promise and Jesus' mediation are "those who are about to inherit salvation' which comes at Christ's second coming.[Heb 9:28] He argues that the passage refers to unbelievers who have received God's gifts and have benefited from God's grace, yet still remained skeptics.

text: Objections[edit]

text: The primary objection lodged against the doctrine is that such teaching will lead to license. That is, objectors contend that if people know they can never lose their salvation they will feel free to sin without fear of eternal consequences.

text: Traditional Calvinists see this charge as being justly leveled against the Free Grace doctrine, which doesn't see sanctification as a necessary component of salvation, and in the controversy over Lordship salvation, traditional Calvinists argued against the proponents of the Free Grace doctrine. Traditional Calvinists, and many other non-Calvinist evangelicals, posit that a truly converted heart will necessarily follow after God and live in accordance with his precepts, though perfection is not achievable, struggles with sin will continue, and some temporary "backsliding" may occur.

text: Arminian view[edit]

text: The central tenet of the Arminian view is that believers are preserved from all external forces that might attempt to separate them from God, and further that God will not change His mind about their salvation, but that these same believers can themselves willingly repudiate their faith (either by a statement to that effect, or by continued sinful activity combined with an unwillingness to repent). Thus, their salvation is conditional on remaining faithful.

text: Traditional Calvinists do not dispute that salvation requires faithfulness, and the point of difference between these Calvinists and Arminians is over whether God allows true Christians to fall away. Free Grace advocates agree with traditional Calvinists that salvation cannot be lost but with the Arminians that true Christians can backslide or fall away. However, the Free Grace advocates and the Arminians do not define repudiation in the same way: the former sees backslidden believers as merely "carnal", hindering their sanctification process, whereas the latter sees them as having fallen from the saving grace they once possessed.

text: Roman Catholic view[edit]

text: The twenty-second Canon of the Decree Concerning Justification of the Council of Trent (Sixth Session, 13 January 1547) has this to say regarding perseverance: "If anyone says that the one justified either can without the special help of God persevere in the justice received, or that with that help he cannot, let him be anathema." In this canon, the Council reaffirmed that perseverance absolutely requires divine help—a divine help that cannot fail.

text: Respecting these parameters, Catholics can have a variety of views as regards final perseverance. On questions of predestination, Catholic scholars may be broadly characterized as either Molinists or Thomists. The views of the latter are similar to those of Calvinists, in that they understand final perseverance to be a gift applied by God to the regenerated that will assuredly lead them to ultimate salvation. They differ from Calvinists in but one respect: whether God permits men to "fall away" after regeneration. Thomists affirm that God can permit men to come to regeneration without giving them the special gift of divine perseverance, so that they do fall away. Calvinists, by contrast, deny that an individual can fall away if they are truly regenerate.

text: Lutheran view[edit]

text: Like both Calvinist camps, confessional Lutherans view the work of salvation as monergistic in that "the natural [that is, corrupted and divinely unrenewed] powers of man cannot do anything or help towards salvation",[14] and Lutherans go further along the same lines as the Free Grace advocates to say that the recipient of saving grace need not cooperate with it. Hence, Lutherans believe that a true Christian (that is, a genuine recipient of saving grace) can lose his or her salvation, "[b]ut the cause is not as though God were unwilling to grant grace for perseverance to those in whom He has begun the good work… [but that these persons] wilfully turn away…"[15]

text: Comparison among Protestants[edit]

text: This table summarizes the views of three different Protestant beliefs.

text:
Calvinism
Lutheranism
Arminianism

Perseverance of the saints: the eternally elect in Christ will certainly persevere in faith.[16]
Falling away is possible, but God gives assurance of perseverance.[17]
Preservation is conditional upon continued faith in Christ; with the possibility of a final apostasy.[18]

text: Notes[edit]

text:
Jump up ^ Hägglund, Bengt (2007) [1968]. Teologins historia [History of Theology] (in German). Translated by Gene J. Lund (4th rev. ed.). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House. pp. 139–140. ISBN 978-0758613486.
Jump up ^ Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology, p. 788)
^ Jump up to: a b Perseverance of the Saints
Jump up ^ Hodge, Charles. "Systematic Theology." Web: 20 March 2010. Systematic Theology, 3.16.8
Jump up ^ See also 1 Cor. 15:2; Hebrews 3:14; James 2:14, 21-22,26; Romans 1:17
^ Jump up to: a b Stanley, Charles. Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure? Nashville: Oliver Nelson, 1990. ISBN 978-0-8407-9095-8 pp.1-5
Jump up ^ Traditional Calvinist Tony Lane writes: "The two historic views discussed so far [Traditional Calvinism and Arminianism] are agreed that salvation requires perseverance [in faith]. More recently, however, a third view has emerged [i.e., non-traditional Calvinist or Free Grace], according to which all who are converted will be saved regardless of how they then live. They will be saved even if they immediately renounce their faith and lead a life of debauched atheism. Many people today find this view attractive, but it is blatantly unbiblical. There is much in the New Testament that makes it clear that discipleship is not an optional extra and that remaining faithful is a condition of salvation. The whole letter to the Hebrews focuses on warning Jewish believers not to forsake Christ and so lose their salvation. Also, much of the teaching of Jesus warns against thinking that a profession of faith is of use if it is not backed up by our lives. Apart from being unbiblical, this approach is dangerous, for a number of reasons. It encourages a false complacency, the idea that there can be salvation without discipleship . . . . Also it encourages a 'tip and run' approach to evangelism which is concerned only to lead people to make a 'decision', with scant concern about how these 'converts' will subsequently live. This is in marked contrast to the attitude of the apostle Paul, who was deeply concerned about his converts' lifestyle and discipleship. One only needs to read Galatians or 1 Corinthians to see that he did not hold to this recent view. The author of Hebrews was desperately concerned that his readers might lose their salvation by abandoning Christ . . . . These three letters make no sense if salvation is guaranteed by one single 'decision for Christ'. This view is pastorally disastrous" (Exploring Christian Doctrine: A Guide to What Christians Believe, 216). Arminian scholar J. Rodman Williams says of this view: “Any claim to security by virtue of the great salvation we have in Christ without regard to the need for continuing in faith is totally mistaken and possibly tragic in its results. . . . A doctrine of "perseverance of the saints" that does not affirm its occurrence through faith is foreign to Scripture, a serious theological misunderstanding, and a liability to Christian existence” (Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective, 2:133-34).
Jump up ^ 3.6 Archived April 1, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.)
Jump up ^ Calvin, John. Commentary on Hebrews 6:4 Commentary on Hebrews 6:4
Jump up ^ Heb 2:1-4, 3:6,12-14, 4:12-13, 6:4-12, 10:26-39, 12:25-29
^ Jump up to: a b "Does Hebrews 6:4-6 mean we can lose our salvation?" Got Questions Ministries. Oct. 10, 2009.
Jump up ^ Herrick, Greg. "Assurance of Eternal Security." Bible.org. Oct. 10, 2009.
Jump up ^ DeSilva, David A. "Hebrews 6:4-8: A Socio-rhetorical Investigation (Part 1)", Tyndale Bulletin’ 50.1 (1999) 33-57.
Jump up ^ Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, art. ii, par. 71
Jump up ^ Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration, art. xi, par. 42
Jump up ^ The Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch XVII, “Of the Perseverance of the Saints.”
Jump up ^ Bruce Demarest, The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation (Crossway, 1997), 437-438.
Jump up ^ “Many Arminians deny the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. Bruce Demarest, The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation (Crossway, 1997), 35.

tag: ol


document_title: Smallest organisms

question_text: what is the smallest land animal in the world

text: Smallest organisms

text: Microorganisms[edit]

text: Viruses[edit]

text: Many biologists consider viruses to be non-living because they lack a cellular structure and cannot metabolize by themselves, requiring a host cell to replicate and synthesize new products. A minority of scientists hold that, because viruses do have genetic material and can employ the metabolism of their host, they can be considered organisms. As well, an emerging idea that is gaining traction among some virologists is the concept of the virocell, in which the actual phenotype of a virus is the infected cell, and the virus particle is simply a reproductive or dispersal stage, much like pollen or a spore.[1]

text: The smallest viruses in terms of genome size are single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses. Perhaps the most famous is the bacteriophage Phi-X174 with a genome size of 5386 nucleotides.[2] However, some ssDNA viruses can be even smaller. For example, Porcine circovirus type 1 has a genome of only 1759 nucleotides[3] and a capsid diameter of only 17 nm.[4] As a whole, the viral family geminiviridae is only about 30 nm in length. However, the two capsids making up the virus are fused; divided, the capsids would be 15 nm in length. Other environmentally characterized ssDNA viruses such as CRESS DNA viruses as well as others can have genomes that are considerably less that 2,000 nucleotides.[5][6]

text: The smallest RNA viruses in terms of genome size are small retroviruses such as rous sarcoma virus with genomes of 3.5 kilo base pairs (kb) and particle diameters of 80 nanometres (nm). The smallest double stranded DNA viruses are the hepadnaviruses such as Hepatitis B, at 3.2 kb and 42 nm; parvoviruses have smaller capsids, at 18-26 nm, but larger genomes, at 5 kb. It is important to consider other self replicating genetic elements, such as satelliviruses, viroids and ribozymes.

text: Obligate endosymbiotic bacteria[edit]

text: The genome of Nasuia deltocephalinicola, a symbiont of the European pest leafhopper, Macrosteles quadripunctulatus consists of a circular chromosome of 112,031 base pairs.[7]

text: Nanoarchaeum equitans's genome is 490,885 nucleotides long.

text: Pelagibacter ubique[edit]

text: Pelagibacter ubique is one of the smallest known free-living bacterium with a length of 0.37-0.89 μm and an average cell diameter of 0.12-0.20 μm. They also have the smallest free-living bacterium genome; 1.8Mbp, 1354 protein genes, 35 RNA genes. They are one of the most common and smallest organisms in the ocean, with their total weight equaling more than all fish presently in the sea.[8]

text: Mycoplasma genitalium[edit]

text: Mycoplasma genitalium, a parasitic bacterium which lives in the primate bladder, waste disposal organs, genital, and respiratory tracts, is thought to be the smallest known organism capable of independent growth and reproduction. With a size of approximately 200 to 300 nm, M. genitalium is an ultramicrobacterium, smaller than other small bacteria, including rickettsia and chlamydia. However, the vast majority of bacterial strains have not been studied, and the marine ultramicrobacteria Sphingomonas sp strain RB2256 is reported to have passed through a 220 nm ultrafilter. A complicating factor is nutrient-downsized bacteria, bacteria that become much smaller due to a lack of available nutrients.[9]

text: Nanoarchaeum[edit]

text: Nanoarchaeum equitans is a species of tiny microbe 400 nm in diameter. It was discovered in 2002 in a hydrothermal vent off the coast of Iceland by Karl Stetter. A thermophile that grows in near-boiling temperatures, Nanoarchaeum appears to be an obligatory symbiont on the archaeon Ignicoccus; it must be in contact with the host organism to survive.

text: Gowon[edit]

text: Prasinophyte algae of the genus Ostreococcus is the smallest free-living eukaryote. The single cell of an Ostreococcus measures only 0.8 μm across.

text: Animals[edit]

text: Several species of Myxozoa never grow larger than 20 µm.[10] One of the smallest species (Myxobolus shekel) is no more than 8.5 µm when fully grown.[11]

text: Molluscs[edit]

text: The smallest water snail (of all snails) is Ammonicera minortalis in North America, originally described from Cuba. It measures 0.32 to 0.46 mm.[12][13]

text: The smallest land snail is Acmella nana. Discovered in Borneo, Malaysia, and described in November 2015, it measures only 0.7 mm.[14] The previous record was that of Angustopila dominikae from China, which was reported in September 2015. This snail measures 0.86 mm.[15]

text: Arthropods[edit]

text: Smallest crustacean[edit]

text: The smallest crustacean, and indeed the smallest arthropod, is the tantulocarid Stygotantulus stocki, at a length of only 94 μm (0.0037 in).[16]

text: Arachnids[edit]

text: Eriophyid mites measure 125 to 250 μm in length.[17]

text: Insects[edit]

text: Adult males of the parasitic wasp Dicopomorpha echmepterygis can be as small as 139 μm long, smaller than some species of protozoa (single-cell creatures); females are 40 percent larger.[18]

text: Megaphragma caribea from Guadeloupe, measuring 170 μm long, is another contender for smallest known insect in the world.

text: Beetles

text: Beetles of the tribe Nanosellini are all less than 1 mm long; the smallest confirmed specimen is of Scydosella musawasensis at 325 μm long; a few other nanosellines are reportedly smaller, in historical literature, but none of these records have been confirmed using accurate modern tools. These are among the tiniest non-parasitic insects.[19]

text: Butterflies

text: The western pygmy blue (Brephidium exilis) is one of the smallest butterflies in the world.

text: Echinoderms[edit]

text: The smallest sea cucumber, and also the smallest echinoderm, is Psammothuria ganapati, a synaptid that lives between sand grains on the coast of India. Its maximum length is only 4 mm.[20] [21]

text: Sea urchins[edit]

text: The smallest sea urchin, Echinocyamus scaber, has a test only 6 mm across.[21]

text: Starfish[edit]

text: Patiriella parvivipara is the smallest starfish, at only 5 mm across.[21]

text: Vertebrates[edit]

text: The smallest vertebrates (and smallest amphibians) known are Paedophryne amauensis frogs from Papua New Guinea, which range in length from 7.0–8.0 millimetres (0.28–0.31 in), and average 7.7 millimetres (0.30 in).[22][23] Previously, the title of smallest vertebrate was held by members of the fish genus Paedocypris of Indonesia.

text: Fish[edit]

text: The world's smallest fish based on the minimum size at maturity is Paedocypris progenetica from Indonesia, with mature females measuring as little as 7.9 mm (0.31 in) in standard length.[24] This fish, a member of the carp family, has a translucent body and a head unprotected by a skeleton.

text: Male individuals of the anglerfish species Photocorynus spiniceps have been documented to be 6.2–7.3 millimetres (0.24–0.29 in) at maturity, and thus claimed to be a smaller species. However, these survive only by sexual parasitism and the female individuals reach the significantly larger size of 50.5 millimetres (1.99 in).[25][26][27][28]

text: Amphibians[edit]

text: Salamanders[edit]

text: The average snout-to-vent length of several specimens of the salamander Thorius arboreus was only 17 millimetres (0.67 in).

text: Frogs[edit]

text: Frogs include the smallest vertebrates known. The smallest known frog species is Paedophryne amauensis, with a snout-vent length reported as 7.7 mm, which occurs among leaf-litter in the tropical montane forests of New Guinea. Other very small frogs include Brachycephalus didactylus from Brazil (reported as 9.6-9.8 mm), several species of Eleutherodactylus such as Eleutherodactylus iberia (around 10mm) from Cuba, Gardiner's Frog Sechellophryne gardineri from the Seychelles (up to 11 mm), several species of Stumpffia such as Stumpffia tridactyla and Stumpffia pygmaea from Madagascar, and the Rough Moss-frog Arthroleptella rugosa of South Africa (11.9 - 14.1 mm). In general these extremely small frogs occur in tropical forest and montane environments. There is relatively little data on size variation among individuals, growth from metamorphosis to adulthood or size variation among populations in these species. Additional studies and the discovery of further minute frog species are likely to change the rank order of this list.

text: Reptiles[edit]

text: Lizards[edit]

text: The dwarf gecko (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) and the Virgin Islands dwarf sphaero (S. parthenopion), two geckos in the genus Sphaerodactylus, are the world's smallest known reptile species and smallest lizard, with a snout-vent length of 16 millimetres (0.63 in).[29] A few Brookesia chameleons from Madagascar are equally small, with a reported snout-vent length of 15–18  millimetres for male dwarf chameleons (B. minima), 14–19  millimetres for male Mount d'Ambre leaf chameleons (B. tuberculata)[30] and 15–16  millimetres for male B. micra,[31] though females are larger. Of the aforementioned geckos, S. ariasae was first described in 2001 by the biologists Blair Hedges and Richard Thomas. This dwarf gecko is endangered and lives in Jaragua National Park in the Dominican Republic and on Beata Island (Isla Beata), off the southern coast of Hispaniola in the Dominican Republic.[32][33]

text: Turtles[edit]

text: The world's smallest turtle is the speckled padloper tortoise (Homopus signatus) from South Africa. The males measure 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in), while females measure up to almost 10 cm (3.9 in).[34]

text: Crocodilians[edit]

text: The smallest crocodilian is the Cuvier's dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) from northern and central South America. It reaches up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length.[35]

text: Snakes[edit]

text: One of the smallest snakes known is the recently discovered Barbados threadsnake (Leptotyphlops carlae). Adults average about 10 cm (3.9 in) long, which is only about twice as long as the hatchlings.

text: Dinosaurs[edit]

text: The smallest known dinosaur (excluding modern birds) is Anchiornis, a genus of feathered dinosaur that lived in what is now China during the Late Jurassic Period 160 to 155 million years ago. Adult specimens range from 34 cm (13 in) long, and the weight has been estimated at up to 110 g (3.9 oz).[36] Nevertheless, sizes of dinosaurs are commonly labelled with a level of uncertainty, as the available material often (or even usually) is incomplete.

text: Birds[edit]

text: With a mass of approximately 1.8 grams (0.063 oz) and a length of 5 centimetres (2.0 in), the bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is the world's smallest bird species and the smallest warm-blooded vertebrate. Called the zunzún in its native habitat on Cuba, it is lighter than a Canadian or U.S. penny. It is said that it is "more apt to be mistaken for a bee than a bird".[37] The bee hummingbird eats half its total body mass and drinks eight times its total body mass each day. Its nest is 3 cm across.

text: Mammals[edit]

text: The vulnerable Kitti's hog-nosed bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai), also known as the bumblebee bat, from Thailand and Myanmar[38] is the smallest mammal, at 3–4 centimetres (1.2–1.6 in) in length and 1.5–2 grams (0.053–0.071 oz) in weight.

text: The Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus), is the smallest mammal by mass, weighing only about 1.8 grams (0.063 oz) on average. The bumblebee bat has a smaller skull size. The smallest mammal that ever lived, the shrew-like Batodonoides vanhouteni, weighed only 1.3 grams (0.046 oz).

text: Rodents[edit]

text: The smallest member of the rodent order is the Baluchistan pygmy jerboa, with an average body length of only 4.4 cm (1.7 in).[39]

text: Carnivorans[edit]

text: The smallest member of the order Carnivora is the least weasel (Mustela nivalis), with an average body length of 114–260 mm (4.5-10.2 in). It weighs between 29.5 – 250 grams with females being lighter.

text: Marsupials[edit]

text: The smallest marsupial is the Long-tailed planigale from Australia. It has a body length of 110–130 millimetres (4.3–5.1 in) (including tail) and weigh 4.3 grams (0.15 oz) on average.

text: The Pilbara ningaui is considered to be of similar size and weight.[39]

text: Primates[edit]

text: The smallest member of the primate order is Madame Berthe's mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae), found in Madagascar,[40] with an average body length of 92 mm (3.6 in).

text: Cetaceans[edit]

text: The smallest cetacean, which is also (as of 2006) the most endangered, is the vaquita. Male vaquitas grow to an average of around 135 cm (53 in); the females are slightly longer, averaging about 141 cm (55 in) in length.

text: Plants[edit]

text: Flowering plants (angiosperms)[edit]

text: Duckweeds of the genus Wolffia are the world's smallest flowering plants.[41] Fully grown, they measure only 300 µm by 600 µm and reach a mass of just 150 µg.

text: Other[edit]

text: Nanobes[edit]

text: Nanobes are thought by some scientists to be the smallest known organisms[42] about one tenth the size of the smallest known bacteria. Nanobes, tiny filamental structures first found in some rocks and sediments, were first described in 1996 by Philippa Uwins of the University of Queensland.