Why do YOU believe the Bible?

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

Let me see if I understand your thought. You don't believe that there are any objective, cogent, 100% fool proof, reasons why Christianity is true......One has to go with their feelings........

Aren't these proofs ultimately the opinions and interpretations of man?

This is a great thread, I will be back, must run for now.

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by crakjak

Aren't these proofs ultimately the opinions and interpretations of man?

This is a great thread, I will be back, must run for now.

So objective Truth is unknowable and at least unverifiable?

See you when you get back.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

So objective Truth is unknowable and at least unverifiable?

See you when you get back.

I know that there are historical records, but these records have been preserved by the "fathers", so these would not be objective and knowable? There are geological records, but even these have in some cases seemed to have been fakes. I do believe there exist a preponderance of evidence, such as how could a book by so many authors have so much coherence?

However can we use the Bible itself to prove that it is accurate, are there undeniable proofs? Seems I have read of things that to believers would be undeniable?

Ultimately it becomes faith, Abraham believed God because of his experience, Paul believed because of the Damascus road experience, the apostles believed because of their experiences as they walked with Jesus. I believe because of my experience, the truth is confirmed thru prayer and the operation of the Spirit in my life and the lives of those around me. I understand that this would not be objective to the skeptic.

Then there are those that want to argue that the Bible is inerrant, every word, every sentence etc, etc! To which I would ask which version or translation? Of course it is in its original language, but where would I get one of those? So, I accept that the Bible gives us an accurate revelation of God, when accurately interpreted as revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Thanks, Dave for this challenging thread, these are just my thoughts that your questions have provoked.

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by crakjak

I know that there are historical records, but these records have been preserved by the "fathers", so these would not be objective and knowable? There are geological records, but even these have in some cases seemed to have been fakes. I do believe there exist a preponderance of evidence, such as how could a book by so many authors have so much coherence?

However can we use the Bible itself to prove that it is accurate, are there undeniable proofs? Seems I have read of things that to believers would be undeniable?

Ultimately it becomes faith, Abraham believed God because of his experience, Paul believed because of the Damascus road experience, the apostles believed because of their experiences as they walked with Jesus. I believe because of my experience, the truth is confirmed thru prayer and the operation of the Spirit in my life and the lives of those around me. I understand that this would not be objective to the skeptic.

Then there are those that want to argue that the Bible is inerrant, every word, every sentence etc, etc! To which I would ask which version or translation? Of course it is in its original language, but where would I get one of those? So, I accept that the Bible gives us an accurate revelation of God, when accurately interpreted as revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Thanks, Dave for this challenging thread, these are just my thoughts that your questions have provoked.

Actually, as I stated in a previous post, every experience we have is interpreted. Abraham and Paul had experiences that in and of themselves could have gone either way but through their presuppositions they interpreted the dreams the way God ordained.

One of the main problems I have with empirical apologetics is that it leaves the sinner to interpret the facts. Besides that, philosophically they are just bad arguments. Hume and Russell showed that.

In the examination of the Christian worldview we find that it and it alone is able to consistently show a non-arbitrary, logical, and objective view of life and is the only one that can provide answers that aren't illogical and arbitrary. Unless we start with the Word of God as our axiom we cannot logically explain anything else.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

Actually, as I stated in a previous post, every experience we have is interpreted. Abraham and Paul had experiences that in and of themselves could have gone either way but through their presuppositions they interpreted the dreams the way God ordained.

One of the main problems I have with empirical apologetics is that it leaves the sinner to interpret the facts. Besides that, philosophically they are just bad arguments. Hume and Russell showed that.

In the examination of the Christian worldview we find that it and it alone is able to consistently show a non-arbitrary, logical, and objective view of life and is the only one that can provide answers that aren't illogical and arbitrary. Unless we start with the Word of God as our axiom we cannot logically explain anything else.

So what you are saying is one must accept the Bible as truth, otherwise one's views cannot be coherent? Have we not then come full circle? Why do YOU believe the Bible? By an examination of the Christian worldview? Is that not empirical evidence?

[ReformedDave]

Originally Posted by crakjak

So what you are saying is one must accept the Bible as truth, otherwise one's views cannot be coherent? Have we not then come full circle? Why do YOU believe the Bible? By an examination of the Christian worldview? Is that not empirical evidence?

By accepting the Christian worldview, which is propositional and not empirical, it gives cogency to the world around me.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

By accepting the Christian worldview, which is propositional and not empirical, it gives cogency to the world around me.

I propose that the Christian wordview is the accurate understanding of the world around us. Now we can argue about what is the accurate Christian worldview?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

By accepting the Christian worldview, which is propositional and not empirical, it gives cogency to the world around me.

What would lead you to accepting the Christian worldview as opposed to Islam or Buddism etc....?