[piusv]

It’s kinda like waiting for a sola scriptura protestant to explain how they “know” that the Bible is inspired by God.

I believe it is and you believe it is, but can you or any of us prove it?

[NYer]

It’s kinda like waiting for a sola scriptura protestant to explain how they “know” that the Bible is inspired by God. I believe it is and you believe it is, but can you or any of us prove it?

Moreover, they are either unable or prefer not to answer the question: "Who decided which books should be in the Canon of Scripture ... and ... by what authority did they make that determination?"

[count-your-change]

I'm not so strict on the sola as to exclude that working of God's spirit upon the seeker of an understanding of His word.

Even the resurrection of Lazarus was not “proof” enough for the truly hard hearted so being able to convince all is not a reasonable goal. And indeed, it was the teachable and sheep like that Jesus sought out and responded to his message. To the rest, shake the dust off our feet.

So to me proving this or that is not a high priority, I'll present the evidence as best I can and if any feel it's not sufficient “proof” then so be it. All anyone can really do is scatter seeds.

[Alamo-Girl]

It’s kinda like waiting for a sola scriptura protestant to explain how they “know” that the Bible is inspired by God.

I believe it is and you believe it is, but can you or any of us prove it?

Spiritually, yes - because the words of God are not like the words of men. For those of us with "ears to hear" the words of God come alive in us when we hear them. We know His voice, we can't be deceived.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. – John 10:3-5

His words are Spirit and life:

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life. – John 6:63

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

His words can only be heard by those who have the gift of "ears to hear." In the following passage, the people Jesus is addressing are physically hearing Him but they cannot spiritually hear Him:

Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. – John 8:43

And again:

So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. - Romans 10:17

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. – Matt 4:4

Give us this day our daily bread. – Matt 6:11

I am that bread of life. – John 6:48

And again,

And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land; The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. - Deuteronomy 29:2-5

Moreover, God Himself looks after His own words:

The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. – Psalms 12:6-7

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it. - Isaiah 55:11

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. - Matt 5:18

To God be the glory, not man, never man.

[Boogieman]

“I believe it is and you believe it is, but can you or any of us prove it?”

How silly is it to ask for proof of something that God demands we believe on faith? If God wanted to provide indisputable proof of authorship (or his miracles, or of Jesus’ life, etc), then He certainly would have provided it.

Instead, He simply asked us to believe, because the Scripture is the truth, and those who love truth will be drawn to it. The sheep will hear the Shepherd’s voice, even if they can’t see the Shepherd.