----------------------------------------------------------------- Ah ah... let's not loose sight of the ultimate measure here. The standard is not RATIONALITY, the standard is whether or not my answers line up with what the Bible (The ultimate guide book of Christianity) says.
Axiomatic reliance on the Bible. Arbitrary definition of
standards of arguments. Denial of rationality.
Ok? However, as a side note, I will tell you that Christianity necessarily employs the rational mind, Faith is not a denial of facts and reason, but a corollary of them. That is important.
Novel redefinition of "reason" and "faith".
So, you are at a disadvantage from the start. The bible is written so that those who already have a prejudice against it are confused and the unregenerate man by nature cannot understand the things of God for they are SPIRITUALLY discerned.)
Stumper argument. "A believer is always right. A non- believer is inherently incapable of seeing the truth".
(Basically because so many non-"Christian" historians verify biblical events....)
Denial of conventional wisdom on the matter. Over-
generalization: confirmation of a ordinary event in the bible
does not mean the automatic confirmation of extraordinary
miracles as well.
(NOTE: No *true* bible scholars would advocate the Law as borrowed from Hammurabi's code.)
Emphasis on *true* reveals circular reasoning. "Any scholar who says otherwise is not *true*" is implied.
However, I think you will find that with any study on the matter, the Babylonians and Assyrians, were much more brutal in their battles. Study them.
Unsupported claim. Also irrelevant.
I sense the need here to be somewhat basic. God created existence. The universe, the galaxy, the solar system, the world and the Man that inhabits it. As it's creator, he retains sovereignty over creation.
Obscure and unsupported claims about "existence".
Second... God acts solely out of righteousness, every thing he does is righteous, be giving or ending a life by natural or supernatural causes. He is righteous. We can't fully comprehend his righteousness.
Briggs fails my first criterion on debate-worthiness. If God
is always right (and we cannot judge him) why bother engaging
people who think so in a debate.
You place so much emphasis on death. Death is merely the beginning of eternity. This is the trial period, we are "in the womb" so to speak. Our real life doesn't begin until we exit this one...It matters not whether the you or I live 100 days or a 100 years. What matters is your destination when this gestation is over. It was an act of grace to take those boys lives.
Unsupported statements about death and life after death.
I refuse to even consider the argument that questions the Bible.
Why do we argue with Briggs in this case.
It is absolutely ludicrous to imagine that the Bible is not correct.
See above.
The bible is scientifically accurate, historically accurate and Spiritually accurate.
Scientifically? Haha.
God clearly demonstrated his presence numerous times in the Old Testament.
Circular reasoning.
If you need proof of God's Existence, look up St. Augustine's 5 proofs of God. They are irrefutable. God most definitely exists.
Briggs clearly lives in another age. Augustine has been
refuted many times.
Mormonism, Yes. There is no historical proof any civilization remotely resembling the one described in the book of Mormon ever existed on this continent, the book is riddled with errors, changes from edition to edition and every SINGLE one of the original founders renounced they had ever witnessed anything used today to attempt to substantiate Mormonism.
"Rational standards are okay for others, not for me".
Islam, Yes. The Koran teaches Scientific error.
See above.
The Bible is true until PROVEN false. You cannot prove it is false. I maintain that the bible is true...until you prove it false.
Arbitrary standards of proof. Failure to understand "burden of proof".
Also, how does one square "until you prove it false" with "refuse to even consider the argument that questions the Bible".
Irrelevant. The Bible is the ultimate Authority. You say it isn't true yet historically, factually, scientifically, and especially PROPHETICALLY it is. It is far more likely that you are wrong than the Bible being wrong.
Unsupported claims.
I also have no illusions, but hope my comments will force your eyes open to the fact that the Bible is completely without error and contradiction. Each supposed argument you have has a rational and logical explanation. And that if you took a moment to dig in to what the Scripture actually said you would see this. You say that you would be ashamed to take the positions you have imagined to occur in the Bible, but I assure you, You have an inaccurate view of God, Christianity and the Bible. This again is because of the construction of the Bible and your lack of spiritual discernment.
Unsupported claims. Ad-hoc and arbitrary definitions of
rational and logical explanation. Claims of inherent
incapability of non-believers to understand the bible. -----------------------------------------------------------------
Why don't we first establish the ground rules for arguments before engaging in a discussion with people like this.
--Krishna