In the beginning was the Word,....

How does one even begin to argue a statement like this but that is exactly what those of the "world", (those who have not OR will not accept Christ as their saviour) try to do.

Obviously, the first statement is one of foundation. Those of the world say,... exactly on what premise, precedent or evidence do you deign to declare that this statement is provable, true and infallible.

My immediate response is to start quoting other scripture such as, 2 Timothy 3:16 but unfortunately while not irrelevant, only God has the position from which to say there is no other by whom I can sware by so I sware by my own self. (Now if that is not an example of taking responsibilty, I don't know what is. Essentially what God said is,... if it all comes to pieces.... it's on me, it is my fault and I have failed.... but I have digressed already).

By the rationale of the world, you cannot use the very thing you are trying to authenticate to make a case for itself. (ie. you're not "allowed" to use the Bible to prove the Bible is true and authentic because the Bible is the object of suspicion. This however will not stop them using the Bible against you to try and prove its "untruth"). Therefore we are, in the mind of the world, obliged to use other methods to verify the Bibles' claims, miracles, healings and other events. There are vast amounts of texts covering the historical, archæological, philosophical and other evidence to that end.

Without directing the questioner of the Bible (and your faith) to various great books that address this matter very satisfactorily, we have to be able in short order, get to the questioners door in their heart and mind where they can readily acknowledge the rational reasoning they hear from us, and assure themselves that what we're saying is not about duping them into accepting something simply because our argument is convincing but because it is true.

One of the points, I try to make to folks is this:

Okay, so put yourself in God's shoes. Imagine for a moment that you are the omniponent God. You know all things, see all things, understand all things, know the thoughts and intents of every human on the planet.

Since the beginning of time you have had a desire to be in communion with your ultimate creation, even though at the beginning of time, that creation disobeyed you and your command. You want to give your creation another chance to redeem himself and you want to reveal yourself, your intent and your plan to your created. Being that you, know all of humanity's thoughts, deeds and intents, secret and not so secret.

Who would you choose to take up a pen and have them start scrawling on a piece of parchment?

Would it be the guy who you knew that as soon as you told him something to write, would begin to write something else, or put embellishments or emphasis on things which you did not? or maybe use words that were not yours or didn't seem to make sense to him, so he put something else, which meant that later on down the track even though you found someone else more faithful,... because of the earlier fools' meddling with your message, your message now had no continuity or consistency, and ultimately no LEGITIMACY to it???

Probably not and if you did then you would indeed be a foolish god.

Or rather, being the all-knowing God that you are, would you look down upon the earth and select the individuals who would be faithful in writing down accurately all that you told them to write, knowing thereby, that later in history when the penned letters came together in the form that you intended them to, it had a continuity to it that, even though it was written by more than 30-40 some people across the ages, the thoughts obviously flowed from the one pure and incorruptible source.

I myself would most definitely choose the later scenario. As you might say in today's language, this is a "no brainer". You don't even have to think about which choice you would make.