"Christians can't use circular reasoning by trying to prove the Bible by quoting from the Bible!"
The "circular reasoning" argument is absurd. That?s like saying you can?t prove that the President lives in the White House by looking into the White House. It is looking into the White House that will provide the necessary proof. The fulfilled prophecies, the amazing consistency, and the many scientific statements of the Bible prove it to be the Word of God. They provide evidence that it is supernatural in origin. Contact me for more details.
2007-04-12 13:05:01 · 10 answers · asked by NONAME 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
2 Christians have answered so far....
2007-04-12 13:08:52 · update #1
The whole "Geologic Column" is based on circular reasoning.
Someone needs to clean out there own backyard, before they mess in ours.
2007-04-12 13:09:11 · answer #1 · answered by Templar 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In addition to that is the fact the the Bible was written by about 40 different authors over about 1500 years. Just because what they have written has been compiled into one book doesn't mean that they are the same source.
If a believer uses the prophecy from the OT written by Isaiah in chapter 53 and psalm 22 written by King David and then compares them with the historical account of what happened on the cross in the Book of Luke to say that Jesus was the Messiah whom God promised to send that is not circular reasoning. You are taking 3 separate sources to prove a point not using the same source to prove itself.
If after that you compare the accounts of what happened to Jesus as found in the other 3 gospels you are only adding eyewitness testimony to the events recorded by Luke. Once again, that isn't circular reasoning.
2007-04-12 13:15:24 · answer #2 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the Bible contains within it its own validation and evidence that it is from a Higher Power, then you can quote it to prove it. For example, let's say it contains a true prophecy, written thousands of years ago, that only recently came true, and we figure out the odds that this would have been predicted to be very low - that can be cited as evidence. I have no problem with that idea.
However, what people are complaining about when they talk about circular reasoning is something like the following:
The Bible says that all Scripture is heaven-breathed. (this is in 1 or 2 Timothy - I forget exactly where). You cannot point to that verse and say, "Aha! See! It's heaven-breathed. It says so!" I think you can appreciate why that is invalid as proof for the Bible.
I can write a book and include a verse that says "This book is heaven-breathed." But it does not make it so. So the fact that my book contains that statement proves nothing.
I don't mean to imply that the verse in Timothy is worthless. But it cannot be used to prove the Bible to one who does not already believe. Do you understand?
I'd like to see this evidence you have that the Bible is of supernatural origin, because I myself have not seen that. Feel free to contact me.
2007-04-12 13:14:12 · answer #3 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To say "The Bible is authoritative because in Paul's letter to Timothy he says.... " is indeed not only a circular argument, but a poor one, since there was obviously no Bible including this letter at the time the letter was written! I assume you don't accept the Qur'an's claim to its own authority.
As for fulfillment of Scripture, all that one can prove from within the Bible is that the New Testament authors told stories about Jesus that depicted him as fulfilling Scripture. If you want to address the issue of whether Jesus was really like that or not, you need the tools of historical study.
2007-04-13 06:19:08 · answer #4 · answered by jamesfrankmcgrath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Umm, I'm also a Christian, and I get what they are trying to say, perhaps you do not.
It is the equivalent of using a word in the definition of that word ... like defining a mouse by saying "it looks like a mouse, brown or white, furry and has a tail". I know, poor example, but do you get my point?
What they don't understand is the absolute Truth of the Bible, in that if you apply the words written therein, it will prove itself to you and you alone. There is no "scientific" method to apply here, God is above science lol
2007-04-12 13:13:09 · answer #5 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you asked me to spell something I would go to a dictionary; if you asked me the molecular weight of silver I would go to a periodic table, the Bible is a collection of books that have shown themselves to be inspired of God. It is something believers know, we have heard the Word of God. If someone asks me about God, I will go to the only source left on earth, the Bible. I am interested in your evidence, why not post it so we can all see.
2007-04-12 13:15:27 · answer #6 · answered by future dr.t (IM) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand that point because they don't believe in the Bible so if we quote the Bible it is like speaking another language to them... I answer how I see fit on each occasion...Whether it is with scripture or not...and I think you are a great preacher, btw.
2007-04-12 13:17:22 · answer #7 · answered by 1sweet lady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the bible is imperical proof of the glorious word of god, but what proves the bible? only the overlord knows
2007-04-12 13:13:20 · answer #8 · answered by its not gay if... 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lol! I appreciate your question, but it's the "other side" that needs to think about these types of things, not me!
2007-04-12 13:08:10 · answer #9 · answered by <><><> 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"The fulfilled prophecies, the amazing consistency, and the many scientific statements of the Bible prove it to be the Word of God"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
2007-04-12 13:07:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋