This is a perfect example of why it is difficult or impossible to discuss this topic broadly with a fundamentalist. A circular argument is a form of philosophical fallacy because it becomes a response to every issue for which there is no logical counter argument.
I was glad that you at least conceded in one of the posts above that the bible was assembled by men - even smart men. I concur whole heartedly. The same willful, sinful, self-centered creatures who have begged for forgiveness through the centuries. As I noted earlier, all sorts of conclaves edited both the new and old testaments for 100 generations. Every one of them was composed of men motivated by yes, an urge to translate what God said or meant into Greek, Latin, or the then current language, but they were also men shaped by the political and social pressures of their eras as well. The protestant revolution further "corrupted" that process as a host of new sects were convinced they knew what God really meant. You and I represent different views of that process.
Our omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient creator has allowed all that to occur as he has allowed every other initiative by humankind. Because, unlike Muslims who believe the Koran in its totality represents an actual transcription of God speaking (the same God you and I worship by the way), we have very little transcribed as Jesus was speaking, much less God. I believe the generally held consensus is that the New Testament contains only around 15% of words actually said by Christ. For the rest we rely on all those flawed sinful human beings to relay the rest.
I am fully aware that there are Christian sects, that are comfortable with the book in their hand and demand strict adherence. There are other Christians, just as Christian as you claim to be, who believe it is incumbent upon them as Christians to use their knowledge, their intellect, and their education to more fully understand the nature of God's creation. I thankfully grew up in just such a church, a church I should hasten to add that did not feel a sense of arrogance that man had it all figured out.
So, the irony for me is that an otherwise any intelligent human living in the 21st century would consign themselves to a 14th century style interpretation of their beliefs. The good news is that I am confident that God, not an Evangelical, Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Coptic, or Orthodox interpretation of God, but the God that is beyond human understanding, is very comfortable with any of the choices mankind makes to understand his creation.
