[annalex]

Are you now saying you are only into "sound bite"

That is phase 2 of the Protestant obfuscation process. Phase 1 was to post a massive volume of commentaries and syllogism that nevertheless do not alter the fact that the Apostle wrote "Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only?" (James 2:24), and the entire context leads to that conclusion. Phase 2 is to play dumb and pretend the question was not clear, or impute to the poster some other error ("Go ahead, annalex, believe that your works save you").

Phase 3 is posting verses that show that works of Roman, Jewish law, or works generally done for some temporary reward do not save anyone; in other words post verses that match perfectly Catholic theology on the issue, pretending it is what Luther meant with his antics.

After that there is a phase "but you pray to statues" and "but you molest little children".

I have seen your dog and pony dances around the second chapter of James many times. Tons of paper pulp was wasted explaining that somehow St. James did not mean what he said. It is for that reason that Protestantism is not merely another set of errors, but also an especially comical one. If there were a degree in Protestant wile denial of plain scripture, I'd have it. My contempt is based on sound knowledge of your (plural) tactics.

[boatbums]

Funny thing is Phase 1 was what YOU requested and YOU were answered. That you don't agree with the answer isn't my problem, it's yours. Sometimes - especially for some Catholics, I notice - it takes MORE than a sentence or two to show that what someone THINKS a verse is saying, may not be that at all. You consistently leave out certain qualifying words in that verse in James 2, for example. Words like "you see" and the entire context of what James is saying and who he is saying it to. This was explained in the excerpts I provided to you which you were either too lazy to read or you wanted to keep your spiritual eyes closed lest the TRUTH peek through. The conclusion SHOULD be based upon that context as well as all the OTHER verses that directly contradict the idea that James is saying we are justified before God by our works and not faith alone. Would that book even BE in the Bible if it wasn't inspired by God? Would God contradict Himself? Nope! So who is doing the denying?

Your other predicted "phases" have not materialized and won't because there would be no point, it's not needed. Are you imagining I'm the one "playing dumb" here? I gave you what you requested and you chose to ignore it. That sounds "dumb" to me. Scripture is clear that it is not by works of righteousness that we do - works of law, works of love, works PERIOD - but by God's mercy that we are saved. Until that truth sinks in, all the verse posting is pointless because some would rather believe their church than believe what God says. They have been tricked into doubting what their own eyes see and read for themselves what God has plainly stated. You insist that faith AND works saves you. Go ahead and believe that, you have that right. Just don't expect me to deny that I KNOW I have eternal life in Christ and it's NOT based on my deserving or meriting it but by His amazing grace. Praise God!