Quote: "I think that the contents of the Bible are largely a bunch of tripe, and quite a lot of it is evil." I'm sure you have been reading evilbible.com that focuses on taking Scripture out of context.

The overall theme of the Bible is to instal a standard of behaviour..that benefits all...and to prove Satan a liar...

But WHAT do those scriptures TEACH...and book that promotes revenge has to be wrong...So this in turn condemns the whole 'faith 'of Islam...

Exactly! Amen! The God of the Bible is the only true God as confirmed by The Holy Spirit.

So in your 'work' do you comply with Matthew 28: 19,20? Jesus went door to door. Do you? J.W's DO.

So in your 'work' do you comply with Matthew 28: 19,20? Jesus went door to door. Do you? J.W's DO.

But you couldn't know what "exactly" are you believing in, other than there is something out there, in your mind or in your dreams. Quote: "I believe God wants us to do what is good for ourselves and each other." Practicing good works can be done by anyone whether you are a believer or a non-believer. The fact is: there is no way to check your "merit balance" of good works to see if you've stored up enough to be saved.

You can with the guidance of The Spirit.

Linda Joy, the Spirit of truth manifests itself through the Word of God. John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; your Word is truth."

That's not the only way! People believed in God long before the Bible was written!

It doesn't say "with all your heart and The Bible"

I don't know which Bible version you are reading, but that's what the KJV says: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+29%3A13&version=KJV

Not true. Adam and Eve knew. And their children knew because they taught them. The Bible was not needed for people to believe in God before it was written.

All of the scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Without the Word of God which has power in it of God, one is defenseless before the enemy. Jesus also clearly stated that if we really love Him, we would keep His Words. His prophetic words are playing out before our eyes. God's presence was heavier in the earth in Adam and Eve's day. Gen 6:3 is very revealing. 1 Thess 2:3-we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed *at work in you who believe.*

How is this a serious rhetorical point? "The Bible is true because the Bible says so." So, if I say that I am right, I automatically win any argument? That's crazy.

The Bible has proven true throughout. People who blow hot air prove to blow hot air.

What is the standard of scrutiny being used to determine that the Bible is proven to be true?

Serious question? https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101990137 The Bible’s coverage of history, geography, and human origins; its accuracy as to science, culture, and customs; the candor, harmony, and integrity of its writers; and its prophecy.

Ok, I'm not trying to be contrary just for the sake of it, but I have to question a little more: The Bible's coverage of history and geography compared to what? For example, Noah and the ark gives specific events, such as a worldwide flood, which is recorded in other pre-historic tales, but not supported by archaeological evidence. The final resting place of the ark is specifically named in the story, yet there is no physical ark there. As for human origins, obviously, there is a pretty serious incompatibility between the story in Genesis 1 and the physical evidence from archaeology, and even some strange inconsistencies between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. As for accuracy compared with scientific theory, I think we are on different pages there, as well, since, obviously, the stories of miracles and such, by their very nature, have no basis in science, and other mundane things are inaccurate in pretty simple ways (locusts with four legs, rabbits chewing cud, earth with four corners, etc.), so, at no rate would I consider the Bible as useful for gaining scientific knowledge (spiritual knowledge is where the debate ought to be, IMO). The integrity of the writers is maybe a moot point, if you can't objectively say who those writers were. As for the culture and the customs, of course it's a defining book for those, so no argument there, but, I'm not sure that can be used as a guideline for scrutiny. Which prophesies form the best examples of things that the Bible predicted that later happened that would have been difficult to predict?

So, by this logic, you have to believe that the Bible is the word of God before you can believe in God?

Bostjan64, that is not at all what LizzyP said.

How is that not the logic represented in the answer under the context of the question?

I believe cars and Ford Motor exist but I would have to read the service manual to service them. I believe the King of certain Countries exist but I would have to be taught what is required to serve the King of said Country, probably some by-laws of something. Many people believe in God, but most do not serve him nor have most read the Bible. You do not have to read nor believe in the Bible to believe that a god exist, observing creation and the natural order of things should suffice for that. To truly serve God though, you have to read His word. To believe the Bible is God's word, you have to read it with an open mind. For me, I had to ask a lot of questions and do a lot of research to come to the conclusion that the Bible is God's word. So many prophecies for example, could not have come about by mans will.

bostjan64, I apologize, I think you were primarily responding to the "No" part of LizzyP answer, I was primarily looking at the part of to serve. I see where you were coming from now.

Ahh, okay the exchange we had makes more sense to me now as well.

Ugh, I had a senior moment y’all. I was clearly responding to another question. My bad.