This piece definitely helps people understand how intelligent Christians see the Bible. Also, you do a good job of addressing points that skeptics of the Bible raise. That said, you don't answer the questions raised in your first paragraph, and near the end of your piece say "I cannot answer the question[s]..." This leads me to wonder about your purpose in writing it. In terms of answering your question "can the Bible possibly be inspired Word of God?" I'd say you offered no compelling evidence, as you seem to say indirectly. I don't mean that as a slam, I'm just saying that in the logical positivistic sense of there is no reasoned basis for a conclusion either way, so let everyone conclude whatever they want -- a position you seem open to.

Your piece prompted a thought experiment. What if a hitherto unknown tribe living in some remote part of the world surfaced and claimed that God visited them, that they are following his Word, and that it's all here in this Book God divinely inspired. In all seriousness, what if anything would lead you to say "forget the Bible, their Book is the real deal"? After all, what the unknown tribe would be doing seems the same as what Christians did millennia ago. What is the difference between Christians and the unknown tribe?

Thank you for your piece and the dialog.