Here's a Question . . .

 

Christians testify that the bible is the "word of God".  They often refer to the bible as "God's word".  The bible intimates it's self that it is at least, inspired by God, or "God-breathed":

2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

It should be obvious to everyone that, just because people - specifically Christians - believe and claim that the bible is the "word of God" this does not in any way qualify as evidence that the bible is actually the "word of God".

Likewise, it should be obvious to us all that if the bible it's self makes the claim that it is "Gods word", or at least "inspired by God", this does not in any way qualify as evidence that the bible is actually the "word of God".

Here's a question:  The fact that the bible it's self makes a claim of "inspiration" from God, does this make it more probable that the bible was written by inspiration from God?  More probable than any other document that does not make the same claim of inspiration?

Or, in other words:  If a book or document claims inspiration from God, does this add any higher degree of probability that the book or document was actually inspired by God?

 - and - 

Does the lack of such a claim of inspiration diminish the probability that the book or document was inspired by God?

Discuss.

bob
r.u.reasonable@gmail.com