[WrightWings]

The Bible has externally and internally verifiable information that lends credence to the account, and that it was, indeed, guided by the Holy Spirit. For instance, the archaelogicially and historically verifiable existence of people and places mentioned therein; the synchronization of purpose, message and events in accounts written by different authors over centuries of time; eyewitness accounts of miracles, and events; the fulfillment of prophecies from one author in centuries-earlier writings of another; the change in writing style between authors; etc., etc.

There are independent reasons to believe the voracity of the Bible, even if those reasons are not ironclad. The rest is faith.

While it is certainly not my intention to argue against the Bible, my point is that there is simply no way to verify/proove that it is, in fact, the Inspired Word of God. Independent reasons or not.

To modify your closing that "the rest is faith", I would say that it is all faith. I can appreciate that your path is not with the Catholic Church - but in no way does that mean those who do choose that path are following an errant faith.

[Iscool]

To modify your closing that "the rest is faith", I would say that it is all faith.

I would say not...After spending considerable time in the book, I will say that once you realize that those are the words of God that you are reading, you notice that there is something very unusual about that book...

There's something spiritual going on in that book...