[HarleyD]

Again and again, you are begging the question. You PRESUME that God put the Bible together because the Bible is from God - according to you. You have a finished product that you claim is from God. You provide no evidence to prove that - you beg the question.

It's nonsense to say that the church fathers picked out 66 books and said, "Well, I think that's a nice round number." The fathers had strict guidelines for determining whether a document was inspired or not. It wasn't built on some whim and approved by the group as you seem to think. The Church in its early years recognized the difference from inspired and uninspired writings. Otherwise, how did the Church tell the difference?

I think FK has more support for his views and the traditions of the Church.

[jo kus]

It's nonsense to say that the church fathers picked out 66 books and said, "Well, I think that's a nice round number."

LOL! WHY would they "pick out" 66 of anything? Don't you realize the connotation of that number??? I didn't say that the Church decided to pick out only 73 books for a particular symbolic reason - although 73 would certainly make more sense, if THIS was the ONLY determinant.

The fathers had strict guidelines for determining whether a document was inspired or not.

And what guidelines were those? I'll tell you... Those books that were written by an Apostle or one close to an Apostle AND was in the mold of an ORTHODOX teaching. In other words, the Bishops ALREADY were taught orthodox teachings, had in mind what WAS orthodox, and tossed out any book that didn't fit their ideas of orthodoxy.

The Church in its early years recognized the difference from inspired and uninspired writings. Otherwise, how did the Church tell the difference?

That's exactly what I have said all along.

i think FK has more support for his views and the traditions of the Church.

I know it would be against your religion to agree with a Catholic against another Protestant! But FK's argument is a circular one - the Bible is the Word of God BECAUSE the Word of God is the Bible. It makes no logical sense, and you don't appear to be arguing for this circular arguement. I believe you and I agree, although you may not like to admit this. The Bible was put together by men who already HAD the "Word" preached to them and recognized it when they saw it in the various writings presented to them when the Canon became a necessity. Have I ever said anything different? A whim? Please.

Regards