I asked you this question: “Okay, exactly where does the Bible tell you 2 Timothy is scripture?”
Do you have an actual verse or not?
“The Bible claims to be God’s Word;”
No. Certains books IN the Bible claim that.
“it proves itself;”
Not on this point it doesn’t.
“the various books were cited as authoritatively God’s word in other books;”
False. The New Testament, for instance, never cited or quoted - if I recall correctly - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Ecclesiastes, or the Song of Solomon.
“its prophecies all came true, except for the ones we still wait upon (Jesus’ second coming), it all agrees with itself; and the Holy Spirit causes us to recognize God’s very voice in it.”
Do you have a verse about 2 Timothy or not?
“Certainly we can see the early church so accepted it.”
Show me in the Bible where it says the “early church so accepted it.”
“Perhaps this trumps the “Scripture verifies itself” argument in your mind.”
There is no such argument of any validity really.
“But even Scripture details failures and want of right doctrine and living in the early church times.”
Just show me EXACTLY where it says 2 Timothy is scripture. Can you do it or not?
“So, while the church’s acceptance of the Bible is certainly reassuring, for me I can’t make the church’s acceptance the criteria for believing it. The Bible stands on its own authority.”
Show me where the Bible tells you - on its own authority - that Matthew wrote a gospel. After you fail to do that, and you will, show me where the Gospel of Matthew says it is inspired.
Get back to me when you actually can answer the simple questions I asked.
I find your ferocity about denying the inspiration of Scripture puzzling.
Throughout the Bible, in virtually all of the books, the books claim to be the word of God. Also, Jesus quoted from all of them as authoritative (except, I think, Song of Solomon). I am sure you know all of this. If you reject it, you reject, I guess. I was not aware the denial of the inspiration of Scripture is a Roman Catholic position. Actually, I don’t think it is.
I think the difference between RCs and Protestants (serious ones on both side, I don’t refer to the women who want to be pope or the cafeteria this and thats) is: the RC’s say the Bible is God’s Word because the RC church says it is; whereas Protestants say the Bible is God’s Word because the Bible says it is.
I think it’s an important difference, and one that can be discussed, but your posts seem to indicate that you don’t even believe the Bible is inspired. Is that the case?