Is using the bible as proof of Christian beliefs a valid argument?

Question

I read a question by a christian who said using the bible as a proven fact is a trerrible arguement. Do you agree?

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Answer 1

The Bible can elucidate the nature of Christian belief (especially the new testament), but it cannot prove it.

Reason being that the validity of Biblical teaching hangs upon the truth of Christianity, so that to use the Bible as proof is circular. Your friend is not being unchristian in observing this fact, only logical.

Circularity is no demonstration of falseness, though, just as it is no demonstration of truth; for that, you'd have to turn elsewhere.

Answer 2

I do agree that you can't use the bible as fact when trying to prove validity of a belief. A lot of people forget that the bible is a *selected* group of writings. There were a lot of other *books* left out of the bible on the decision of men!

Personally, I don't take the bible as literal because the situations are often of fantastic proportion - not unlike Lord of the Rings, The Illiad or any other great epic. They're a bunch of stories meant to teach people moral lessons (not much unlike Grimms Fairy Tales). I find it hard to believe anyone could miss that.

Because they're stories written by men - I do not think the bible can be considered *proof* of anything other than making a strong case for being some of the most spectacular, early literary fiction.

Answer 3

Using the bible for fact IS a terrible arguement. Nothing in the book was written during the times that these events supposedly occured; some of the tales are "borrowed" from other faiths with the spin to make it fit; and most telling is the fact that noone can seem to agree whether or not it should be taken literally or figuratively.

If the bible reinforces the reasons you live the way you do, that's fine. As a source of fact though...well, let's just say that the empirical evidence points away from that.

Answer 4

The bible is *only* valid so far as one believes in it, and any arguments in opposition would be viewed as wrong. Just like the Communist Manifesto. If you believe in that political philosophy, then western democracy is wrong.

Bible believers start of with the notion that the book is right and everything else is wrong--they go strictly by its proprietary knowledge. Meaning they believe it answers everything regarding Godism and spiritualism. Just like fundie Islam and fundie Judaism, it's a closed-minded attitude. Very stifling.

Answer 5

there is not any burden of evidence. The very theory that believers ought to instruct something is itself a lie! certainty is certainty, it desires no defence. A lie isn't nicely worth protecting besides. this theory that folk could desire to instruct that God exists is a trick of the devil to maintain human beings combating between themselves. the certainty states that there are 2 gods. the real God and writer of the heavens and the earth, and the god of this worldwide. yet all anyone seems to ask for evidence of is the real God. they say we would like evidence of Him. nicely, what approximately the different god? he's giggling up his sleeve at each and all the evidence seekers because of the fact jointly as they war and argue and debate over regardless of if God exists he retains them from surely believing and accepting God and incredibly from accepting all that God has made obtainable to them. The bible says that the devils recognize there's a God and shudder. The devil and his minions recognize there's a God. they do no longer choose evidence. They met him. however the certainty desires no defence. we are to be witnesses of the flexibility of God in this earth and to no longer waste our time being defence criminal experts for God. in case you do no longer prefer to have self assurance then do no longer. yet stop asking people who pick to have self assurance to instruct something. It distracts them from what they could desire to be doing. And via the way, that 1600 year previous e book is surely over 2000 years previous and nonetheless a no1. it rather is been translated into purely approximately each and every language and is as real on the instant because it ever became. So, in case you think of you recognize extra useful we could see you write a e book that beats it in each and every way.

Answer 6

The bible is the basis for Christian doctrine. If a person does not believe the bible then there is no point in using that book to try and convert that person. Using good works and living the life Jesus expects is the best way to witness to anyone.

Answer 7

Yep. They say, the bible is the word of god. How do you know? Because it says so. Why do you believe it? Because it's the word of god. How do you know? And so on. Circular argument.

Besides, the bible is not proven fact. It has some real people in it (as far as we can tell) and some actual places, but that's about it. It's about as true as Harry Potter. And given the choice, I would rather Harry Potter were true. It's more well-written.

Answer 8

Christianity is not mentioned in the Bible but it sure says a whole lot about Greek pagan worship of the Sun God Zeus.

Answer 9

The Bible is a primary reference for Christian beliefs - so your question, as you have worded it, would have to be answered "yes."

However, if you really trying to ask, "Is using the Bible as proof that Christian beliefs are correct?" then the answer, of course, is no.

Answer 10

Yes, I agree. Seeing as the Bible is the core of their beliefs, using it as proof is like "Because I said so."