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[Brian Kopp DPM]

This requires a yes or no answer: The atonement of Jesus Christ ..... was it sufficient (alone) or was it insufficient (works must be added) in order to save sinners? Please don't evade answering that question. Just answer yes or no.

Biblical Overview of Justification & Salvation

BIBLICAL OVERVIEW OF JUSTIFICATION AND SALVATION
 Is Luther's Justification Justifiable?

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I. INTRODUCTION / DEFINITIONS

1. JUSTIFICATION

Not remission of sins merely, but also the sanctification and renewal of the inward man . . . None of those things which precede justification - whether faith or works - merit the grace itself of justification.

{Council of Trent, Decree on Justification, Jan. 13, 1547, chapters 7,8}

Justification, according to Catholicism and Trent, is a true eradication of sin. On the other hand it is a supernatural sanctifying and renewal of the inner man. Protestantism's teaching of the merely external imputation of Jesus Christ's justice was rejected by Trent as heretical. Catholicism holds that true faith in Jesus Christ is not saving faith unless it bears fruit in good works, without which spiritual growth is impossible. In this way, good works are necessary for salvation. Such a statement and view makes Protestants uncomfortable. Without denying the importance of good works, Protestantism tends to see them as symptoms of the necessary imputed justification, rather than as necessities in their own right.

2. SANCTIFICATION

Being made holy. The first sanctification takes place at baptism. The second sanctification is a lifelong process in which a person already in the state of grace grows in the possession of grace and in likeness to God by faithfully corresponding with divine inspirations. The third sanctification takes place when a person enters heaven and becomes totally and irrevocably united with God in the beatific vision.

{John Hardon}

3. GRACE

The condescension or benevolence shown by God toward the human race; it is also the unmerited, supernatural  gift proceeding from this benevolent disposition. G, therefore, is a totally gratuitous gift on which man has absolutely no claim.

{John Hardon}

4. MERIT

Divine reward for the practice of virtue. It is Catholic doctrine that by his good works a person in the state of grace really acquires a claim to supernatural reward from God. The meritorious work must be morally good. Merit depends on the free ordinance of God to reward with everlasting happiness the good works performed by his grace. On account of the infinite distance between Creator and creature, a human being alone cannot make God his or her debtor, if God does not do so by his own free ordinance.

{John Hardon}

The reward given for good works is not won by reason of actions which precede grace, but grace, which is unmerited, precedes actions in order that they may be performed meritoriously.

{Second Council of Orange, 529 A.D.}

5. MORTAL SIN

An actual sin that destroys sanctifying G and causes the supernatural death of the soul. The transgression of a divine law in a grievous matter with full knowledge and consent.

{John Hardon}

6. VENIAL SIN

An offense against God which does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace. It is called venial (from venia, pardon) because the soul still has the vital principle that allows a cure from within.

{John Hardon}

Venial sin can result, e.g.,  when one violates a divine law without full consent or knowledge.

II. REASONED CATHOLIC EXPLANATIONS OF JUSTIFICATION

1. The deepest split in the history of Christianity originated in a misunderstanding. Even if Protestants and Catholics disagree about the relationship between faith and good works, they both agree that (1) Faith is absolutely necessary for salvation and (2) we are absolutely commanded by God to do good works. Catholicism does not teach that one is saved by good works apart from wholly unmerited grace from God, or apart from faith or the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. Rather, the Catholic view is that faith and good works are intrinsically and inevitably intertwined, as St. James clearly states ("faith without works is dead"). A person cannot save himself by his own works (i.e., not preceded by God's grace and supernatural assistance).

This is Catholic dogma and doctrine, and always has been. The doctrine of "works-salvation" often attributed to Catholicism by unknowing Protestants, is a heresy known as Pelagianism, which was never taught or condoned by the Catholic Church and which was officially condemned by it at the above-mentioned 2nd Council of Orange in 529 A.D. St. Augustine had vigorously opposed it over a century earlier, in strict accordance with Catholic Tradition and theology. To continue to accuse Catholics of espousing this heinous error is dishonest and slanderous for anyone who takes the time to research the true Catholic teaching, as plainly stated in Catholic Church documents such as the decrees of the Councils of Trent and Vatican II, Catechisms, etc.

E.g., Trent states unequivocally:

If anyone saith that man may be justified before God by his own works, whether done through the teaching of human nature or that of the law, without the grace of God through Jesus Christ; let him be anathema.

{Canon I on J, January 13, 1547}

2.

For Luther sin is passion, for Catholics sin is in the will - the act of choice. From the Lutheran point of view the conclusion follows that there can be no freedom from sin in this world. Man is born and dies in iniquity. The utmost he can attain is an assurance that this won't be counted against him - that Jesus Chris's redemptive suffering covers all. Hence justice is only imputed - the Lutheran concept which became the center of controversy.

In Catholic teaching, on the other hand, the work of justification is not limited to the act of faith with which it begins. It is carried on by the use of the sacraments, the life of charity and the practice of good works, so that human nature recovers the spiritual life that was lost by sin and man becomes a new creature.

{Christopher Dawson}

3. According to the Bible, grace and sin are total opposites, like light and darkness, or life and death. The Bible knows nothing of a communication of grace without the corresponding expulsion of sin (see 2 Cor 6:14; Col 2:13; 1 Jn 3:14). According to Calvin (Institutes, III, 12,4), all works of man are before God "impurity and dirt."  This is not the view of the Bible, Christian Tradition, reason, or the instinctive moral law within all of us.

4.

In the Catholic doctrine of merit Protestantism sees a belittling of grace and of the merits of Jesus Christ, a favoring of external sanctification through works, base self-interest, and pharisaical self-righteousness.

{Ludwig Ott}

These are all false perceptions of Catholic teaching, based on misunderstanding, sheer ignorance, or the unfortunate Protestant tendency of "dichotomizing" many theological ideas or practices into mutually-contradictory categories, when in fact there is no need to do so, as in the present case (e.g., faith vs. works; Jesus Christ's perfect merit vs. our relative merits always derived from His; justification vs. sanctification; grace vs. free will; etc.).

5. Many Protestants have approached the Catholic view in their explanations of faith, justification, good works, sanctification and other related topics. C.S. Lewis pondered why Christians seem to emphasize either good works or faith to the exclusion of the other, and concluded, "It does seem to me like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most necessary . . . If what you call your 'faith' in Jesus Christ does not involve taking the slightest notice of what He says, then it is not faith at all." A.W. Tozer commented, "The promise of pardon and cleansing is always associated in the Scriptures with the command to repent . . . Apart from obedience, there can be no salvation." Dietrich Bonhoeffer thought that "Good works then are ordained for the sake of salvation, but they are in the end those which God himself works within us. They are his gift, but it is our task to walk in them at every moment of our lives." And John Wesley stated, "I allow, not only faith, but likewise holiness or universal obedience, to be the ordinary condition of final salvation . . . Do not say, 'I can do nothing'. If so, you know nothing of Jesus Christ; you have no faith . . . You must work together with Him, or He will cease working."

III. AN INDEX OF SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCES FOR THE CATHOLIC
     DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION

1. Infused Justification (Not Just a Legal Declaration)

2 Sam 12:13        Is 44:22             1 Cor 6:11
1 Chron 21:8       Ezek 37:23           Heb 1:3
Ps 32:5            Jn 1:29              1 Pet 1:2
   51:2,7-10       Acts 3:19            1 Jn 1:7-9 (cf. Mt
   103:12          Rom 2:13               8:3; 11:5; Lk
Is 43:25               5:12-19 (17-19)      7:22)

2. Sanctification Included in Justification

Mt 5:20            1 Cor 6:11          Gal 6:15
   7:16-20         2 Cor 3:18          Heb 12:10,14
Rom 5:17-19              5:17          1 Pet 1:2
    12:20                7:1

3. God's Necessary Preceding and Enabling Grace

Jn 6:28            1 Cor 15:10         Phil 2:13
1 Cor 3:9          Eph 2:8-10

4. Works (Along With Faith) Necessary For Salvation

Mt 7:16-27 (21,24,26)   Acts 26:20     Phil 3:10-14
   16:27                Rom 2:5-13     1 Tim 6:18
   25:31-46 (35-36)     1 Cor 3:8-9    Titus 3:5-8
Lk 18:18-25 (18,22)           15:58    Heb 6:10
Jn 6:27-29              Gal 6:7-9

5. Faith and Works Two Sides of the Same Coin

Jn 6:27-29         1 Cor 15:10         Heb 5:9
Acts 10:35         Gal 5:6                 10:23-24
Rom 1:5            Eph 2:8-10          Jas 1:21-27
     2:13           Phil 2:12-13            2:14-26
    6:17           1 Thess 1:3         1 Pet 1:2
    10:16          2 Thess 1:8,11      2 Pet 1:10
    15:18-19       Titus 1:16
    16:25-26             3:5-8

6. Differential Reward / Merit

Mt 16:27           1 Cor 3:8           1 Tim 6:19
Lk 14:13-14              15:58         1 Pet 1:17
Rom 2:5-6          Gal 6:9             Rev 22:12

7. Salvation As a Process (Not A One-Time Event)

Jn 6:27-29         1 Tim 6:18-19       Heb 10:36
Phil 2:12-13       Heb 6:9-12          2 Pet 1:10
     3:10-14

8. Salvation Can Be Lost / No "Eternal Security"

1 Cor 9:27         1 Tim 1:19-20       Heb 10:26,29,39
      10:12              4:1               12:14-15
Gal 4:9                  5:15          2 Pet 2:15,20-21
    5:1,4          Heb 3:12-14         Rev 2:4-5
Col 1:22-23            6:4-6

9. Baptismal Regeneration

Jn 3:5             1 Cor 6:11          Titus 3:5
Acts 2:38          Gal 3:27            1 Pet 3:21
     22:16

IV. BIBLICAL PASSAGES WHICH PARTICULARLY ILLUSTRATE THE
    CATHOLIC DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION AND SALVATION

1. Matthew 7:21   "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

2. John 6:28   "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?"

3. Romans 2:13  "(For not the hearers of the law {are} just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified."

4. Romans 5:19   "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous."

5. 1 Corinthians 6:11   "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

6. Ephesians 2:8-10   "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: {it is} the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

7. Philippians 2:12-13   "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of {his} good pleasure."

8. Titus 3:5   "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (8) {This is} a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works . . ."

9. Hebrews 3:12-14  "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end."  (cf. Heb 6:4-6)

10. James 1:22   "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

11. James 2:14,17-18,21-22,24   "What {doth it} profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? . . . (17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works . . . (21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (22) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? . . . (24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."

12. 1 Peter 1:2   "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ . . ."

13. 1 John 1:9   "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us {our} sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Main Index & Search | Justification

Written by Dave Armstrong in 1994. Uploaded on 22 August 2001.

[Matchett-PI]

"The Big Lie That Begot 25,000 Denominations".

With all due respect, there is a big difference between the essential (salvational) doctrines of the historic, orthodox, Scriptural Christian church, and and the non-essential (non-salvational) Christian doctrines.

Apparently you are unaware that the various Christian denominations are just split-offs that are a result of disagreements on non-essential (non-salvational) doctrinal issues. (I'm not speaking of the "denominations" that call themselves "Christian", but really aren't).

ALL truly Christian church denominations AGREE on the cardinal / core doctrines of the historic, Scriptural Christian Faith which can be found in the creeds.

[Matchett-PI]

How did I know you wouldn't give a "yes or no" answer?

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Please show me, in official Catholic teachings, where it says the atonement of Jesus Christ was insufficient (works must be added) in order to save sinners.

For that matter, please show me ANYWHERE you can find what "bible only" Christians officially believe. 25000 different bible christian denominations all have differing interpretations of scripture. Which ONE do you follow???

For God cannot be divided against Himself. There can be ONLY ONE proper interpretation of scripture.

How do you know yours is correct, when others clearly contradict yours?

How do you know yours is correct, when your personal interpretation NEVER EXISTED prior to 1517???

How do you know yours is correct, when ALL OF CHRISTIANITY for 1500 years followed the Catholic/Orthodox interpretation, WITHOUT A SINGLE EXCEPTION.

Your interpretation (sola scriptura) perfectly fits the definition of a false gospel, a new novel gospel, that in the end times will tickle men's ears, drawing them away from the teachings of Christ and His apostles.

[Matchett-PI]

"Please show me, in official Catholic teachings, where it says the atonement of Jesus Christ was insufficient (works must be added) in order to save sinners."

Did you ignore my previous post where I showed the legalisms (works) that are put forth by men as "works" that must be done in addition to Christ's finished work on the cross? I showed how they compared with the additions that the Judaizer Christians put forth. For ONE instance ... will you tell me that a person cannot be saved unless he is "baptised"?

Modern Roman Catholicism:

1. Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God
2. Baptism
3. Become a Roman Catholic
4. Sacrificial System
5. Priests
6. High Priests
7. Altars
8. Feast Days
9. Font of Holy Water
10. Dietary Regulations (only recently changed--another "new doctrine" of the Romanist system)
11. Candles
12. Incense
13. The Eucharist Wafer
14. Keep the Ten Commandments
15. Traditions of the "Church Fathers" (which in many, many instances do not support Romanism but go against it)

[giotto]

the rosary in the original Latin

THE PRAYERS OF THE ROSARY IN LATIN

Sign of the Cross:

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen

Apostles' Creed:

Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem, Creatorem caeli et terrae. Et in Iesum Christum, Filium eius unicum, Dominum nostrum, qui conceptus est de Spiritu Sancto, natus ex Maria Virgine, passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, mortuus, et sepultus, descendit ad inferos, tertia die resurrexit a mortuis, ascendit ad caelos, sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris omnipotentis, inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos. Credo in Spiritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclesiam catholicam, sanctorum communionem, remissionem peccatorum, carnis resurrectionem, vitam aeternam. Amen.

The Our Father:

PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen.

The Hail Mary:

AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Glory Be:

GLORIA PATRI, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Oratio Fatimae (The Fatima Prayer)

Domine Iesu, dimitte nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igne inferiori, perduc in caelum omnes animas, praesertim eas, quae misericordiae tuae maxime indigent.

Hail Holy Queen

SALVE REGINA, Mater misericordiae. Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamamus exsules filii Hevae. Ad te Suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. Eia ergo, Advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte. Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.

V. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genetrix.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.

Oremus:

(O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life ...)

Deus, cujus Unigenitus per vitam mortem et resurrectionem suam nobis salutis aeterne praemia comparavit: concede, quaesumus; ut, haec mysteria sanctissimo beatae Mariae Virginis Rosario recolentes, et imitemur quor continent, et quod promittunt, assequamur. Per eumdem Dominum. Amen.

Return to Una Voce Website

[Brian Kopp DPM]

will you tell me that a person cannot be saved unless he is "baptised"?

Scripture tells you that. I don't need to.

Your laundry list proves nothing, except your own ignorance of Catholicism and its teachings. I'm not impressed by your personal opinions.

Show me in the Catechism, or some other official Church document, not your handy little laundry list.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Apologetics with ATTITUDE!

brought to you by

The Few, The PROUD, The Church Militant.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

The doctrine of "works-salvation" often attributed to Catholicism by unknowing Protestants, is a heresy known as Pelagianism.

It was never taught by the Catholic Church and it was officially condemned by it at the 2nd Council of Orange in 529 A.D. St. Augustine had vigorously opposed it over a century earlier, in strict accordance with Catholic Tradition and theology.

To continue to accuse Catholics of espousing this heinous error is dishonest and slanderous for anyone who takes the time to research the true Catholic teaching, as plainly stated in Catholic Church documents such as the decrees of the Councils of Trent and Vatican II, Catechisms, etc.

I'm going to ignore any further comments by you on the "justification issue." Your comments have been answered.

If you persist in making this slander against my faith, that is your error and your sin. You will answer for it to God.

And those reading this thread will see you for the dishonest and slanderous "christian" that you truly are.

If I'm in error, I change my beliefs to conform to the Truth. I do not cling to half truths and error. When I left Catholicism, briefly, for "bible only christianity" I quickly realized my error and sought the truth. You should do likewise.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

You might be interested in this thread...

[Dr. Good Will Hunting]

And if GOD IS DEAD, the final, natural conclusion of rejection of God's authority started 500 years ago, then man can do anything he damn well pleases to anyone. Might makes right...

Nietzche said God is dead.

Jesus said God is alive.

Who to believe?

Nietzche was a sociopathic nihilist.

Jesus is the Messiah.

I'll let readers decide which is the more authoritative source.

[Dr. Good Will Hunting]

"Your ignorance...is appalling."

I hear this from store clerks whenever I ask questions.

[Cap'n Crunch]

SEMPER FI!

Whenever I say
Hail Mary
The court of heaven rejoices
And the earth
Is lost in wonderment.
And I despise the world
And my heart is brim full
Of the love of God
When I say
Hail Mary;
All my fears
Wilt and die
And my passions are quelled
If I say
Hail Mary;
Devotion grows
Within me
And sorrow for sin
Awakens
When I say
Hail Mary.
Hope is made strong
In my breast
And the dew of consolation
Falls on my soul
More and more-
Because I say
Hail Mary.
And my spirit
Rejoices
And sorrow fades away
When I say
Hail Mary....

From "The Secret of the Rosary" by St. Louis De Montfort

[Cap'n Crunch]

The 15 promises of Mary to Christians who recite the Rosary

1.Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the rosary, shall recieve signal graces.
2.I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all who shall recite the rosary.
3.The rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4.It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5.The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the rosary, shall not perish.
6.Whoever shall recite the rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.
7.Whoever shall have a true devotion for the rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8.Those who are faithful to recite the rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9.I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the rosary.
10.The faithful children of the rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11.You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.
12.All those who propogate the holy rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13.I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the rosary shall have for their intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.
14.All who recite the rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only son Jesus Christ.
15.Devotion of my rosary is a great sign of predestination.

Given to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan by Our Lady

[Matchett-PI]

I had asked another yes or no question, to wit:"..will you tell me that a person cannot be saved unless he is "baptised"?"

And again you evade answering and reply, "Scripture tells you that. I don't need to."

Another evasion and refusal to answer my straightforward, uncomplicated, yes or no questions.

So far, I've asked you two very simple yes or no questions. Why won't you simply give me a yes or no answer? :D

[Brian Kopp DPM]

You must be a lawyer...

Ever hear about the old trick yes or no question? The lawyer asks the defendant a "simple yes or no question." In this case, the question is, "So Mr. Smith, do you still beat your wife?"

The fact that Mr. Smith NEVER beat his wife cannot be related by a simple yes or no answer.

As a wise saying goes, "Not every question deserves an answer. Not every man who smiles at you has your best intentions at heart."

[Brian Kopp DPM]

I answered your first yes or no answer, with concrete finality, in post #69. You did not even acknowledge that you were lying through your teeth when you accuse the Church of teaching the Pelagian heresy.

Why should I answer any more of your lawyerly yes or no answers?

However, I'll let this scripture suffice as answer for your second "yes or no" question:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ According to Saint John

Chapter 3

Christ's discourse with Nicodemus. John's testimony.

1	And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2	This man came to Jesus by night and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him.

3	Jesus answered and said to him: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4	Nicodemus saith to him: How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born again?

5	Jesus answered: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

All of Christianity from the times of the apostles has undestood born again of water and the Holy Ghost to mean Baptism.

You read here the Word of God.

Figure out your yes or no yourself.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

How did I know you wouldn't give a "yes or no" answer?

Are you saved? Yes or no?

[Matchett-PI]

"Figure out your yes or no yourself."

Another evasive tactic to keep from simply answering yes or no to the two questions.

The two questions still stand. Will you continue to evade simply answering yes or no? Why is that so hard for you to do?

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Maybe, see post #76 ;-)