Hello Bob,
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But Brian, saying that "Scripture is the Word of God and therefore it justifies itself" is a complete argument. It's a good argument. Yes, it's a narrow circle but scripture as God's word is justified by definition.
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Let's say I presuppose the Scriptures to be the Word of God. It's my axiom so to speak. This axiom is granted and justified as it is. However, for me to go from this to the derived truth that salvation is by faith alone, there is required more information than simply that the Scriptures are the Word of God. I have to know that "salvation is by faith alone" is part of the Scriptures. I also have to know the laws of logic to draw these types of conclusions. I also have to know the nature of God (that He is infalible and always tells the truth). So, there is additional knowledge that I need to know that is apart from Scripture whether it be hermenutical rules, the laws of logic, or whatever. If this knowledge is not justified prior to my analysis of Scripture, then my analysis of Scripture is based on unjustified knowledge.
Brian