Christians and Circular Reasoning

This is a charge that is often levelled at Christians who support the Bible’s claim to being God’s Word. The supposed circular reasoning goes,

 ‘The Bible is God’s Word because the Bible says it’s God’s Word.'  

In fact there is a self consistency in this Christian claim. Yes, God Himself, in the Bible claims for the Bible divine inspiration. There is no getting around this fact. For those who believe this we can claim, 

“What the Bible says, I say.” 

 In fact, it is only those who possess the indwelling Spirit of God who can make this claim. 

 In fact, those who do NOT possess the indwelling Spirit of God deny this claim. 

Christians testify to the “inner witness” to the Bible’s claim of inspiration.

. No doubt there is an element of subjectivity present. However if we are talking about God revealing Himself to “me” then it makes sense that the Spirit of God would direct us away from ourselves and toward the intuitions of God Himself.

. This is an experience common to over two billion people. This in fact acts as a check to the normative experience.

. This experience is common across thousands of years across hundreds, indeed across every culture. This experience has not be relegated to scholars or theologians. The Bible’s authority has been the experience of every Christian everywhere.

. The historical writings of Acts 1:3, 2:32, 4:20; 1 Cor. 15:3-11; 1 Peter 3:15 form a base for the continuation of this belief in authority.

. For any Christian, any accusation of subjectivism absolutely pales before the persuasive experience of God’s Holy Spirit, i.e., it doesn’t matter what fools think, God Himself is proof of His reality in Word and materially. Those who possess the Spirit of God naturally and without complaint desire to obey His word. This is not a human manipulation or desire. It is, rather the prodding of our Lord’s Spirit. Those in whom the Spirit of God resides have no choice but to believe what He tells them about the authority of the Bible. We simply KNOW the truth that God is God.

You don’t believe this to be true. Then so be it. Go your own way.