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Greetings,

Actually it is your question which incorporates the Logical Fallacy of a Straw Man.

Witnesses don’t use 2Tim.3:16 as evidence that the Bible is God’s Word. As a rule we wouldn’t even use it with someone who doesn’t believe the Bible. We use it for two purposes: 1. To show those who claim to already believe the Bible that they should accept what it says rather than their own ideas or their religion’s beliefs which contradict God’s Word. And 2. We can use it to show that the Bible does claim to be the inspired Word of God.

The Witnesses' believe that the Bible is true because of *objective* evidence and not on circular reasoning nor any other Logical Fallacies. (However, some individuals of any persuasion may incorrectly present circular reasoning to support their beliefs.)

Our belief in the Bible as God's Word comes from objective evidence found in science, history, archeology, prophecy and personal experience from following its guidance.

Although not a science textbook, the Bible is scientifically accurate. It contains facts that were written thousands of years before modern scientists were able to reach similar conclusions.

At the same time the Bible was being written, there was wild speculation about how it was held in space. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and scientist taught that the earth could never hang in empty space. Instead, he taught that the heavenly bodies were fixed to the surface of solid, transparent spheres.

Yet, rather than reflect the fanciful, unscientific views existing at the time of its writing, the Bible simply stated: "God is hanging the earth upon nothing" (Job 26:7). No other ancient writing ever stated such a thing.

No one taught the earth was supported by “nothing” physical until Isaac Newton published his findings on gravity.

So the Bible was not influenced by the unscientific views prevalent at the time regarding the earth's support and its shape. The reason is simple: The Author of the Bible is the Author of the universe.

Then, the Bible contains the most accurate ancient history of any book in existence. S.A. Allibone quotes Sir Isaac Newton as saying he found "‘more sure marks of authenticity in the NT than in any profane history whatever.'"

"Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has brought increased recognition of the Bible as a source of History." -Albright, Archaeology of Palestine and the Bible, (1932) BAR 3/4, 1993

Archaeology has supported the Bible in many ways. For example, discoveries have confirmed hundreds of the places and names found in the Bible.

"It may be categorically stated that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference." -Nelson Glueck, Rivers in the Desert BAR 3/4, 1993

Next, the Bible is filled with hundreds of detailed prophecies. This is perhaps the main feature of the Bible that substantiates its claim of divine inspiration. Fulfilled prophecy gives conclusive evidence that the Bible is inspired of God.

Consider an example. Through Isaiah, Jehovah foretold that the city of Babylon would be destroyed and that: "She will never be inhabited...I will sweep her with the broom of annihilation."(Isa 13:20; 14:22, 23) This prophecy showed that Babylon would be desolated permanently. The Bible foretold the disappearance of entire civilizations like Edom and Babylon.

These prophecies were not fulfilled until many centuries after the completion of the Hebrew Bible (Jer.49:17,18). No one can claim that the Bible was "written after the fact" because we have manuscripts like the Dead Sea Scrolls dated to the second and first centuries B.C.E. As noted, many prophecies were fulfilled only after these dates.

Obviously, mere humans could not be responsible for this.

There are many other indications of divine authorship of the Bible. These include the astronomical, geologic, and medical accuracy of the Bible; the internal harmony of its books, written by scores of men over many hundreds of years; and its moral code that excelled codes of surrounding peoples of those times and that is still recognized as without equal. These and other lines of evidence have convinced countless diligent and honest people that the Bible is authentically a book from our Creator.

"What shall we say, then, of those who, notwithstanding the abundant evidence now produced of the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures, profess themselves unconvinced? . . . Surely we have reason to conclude that it is the heart rather than the head which is at fault;—that they do not wish to believe that which humbles their pride, and will force them to lead different lives."

Yours,

BAR-ANERGES