knght4yshua,A long time ago in a galaxy far far a way I started a thread here discussing my concerns about the validity of the whole book. It was an interesting discussion.

This thread looks at the same issue from a slightly different angle but I predict it will come to very similar conclusions in the end. The issue here and previously is belief or faith and a personal and generational cultural, political and community investment in it. This is likely to result in a curious kind of objectivity, with the constant circular reference arguments you refer to, but that is not what this site is for.

It is interesting to compare a secular academic work(WHO WROTE THE NEW TESTAMENT? The Making of the Christian Mythby Burton L. Mack, for example) on the history of either testament where the author has no Christian belief with the works of any Christian writer( N.T. Wright bats for the good guys).

This site seeks from a Christian perspective to define a theology for the Emergent movement. The only source of ‘truth’ available as a basis for this project is the Bible, and at least 1750ish years of religion founded on some version or other of it.

Whenever I walk amongst the immense pillars of a 1000 year old English cathedral I feel the power of that belief and it is awe inspiring, yet I do not share that belief. My strength to defend my beliefs have to be founded on something. I believe, for example, in my own and your existence but I cannot prove anything but my thoughts exist. I also can not begin to imagine how anybody can prove God exists never mind prove what is or is not his word.