It looks like you are concerned about the validity of the canon.

I pray your question comes from a true concern that to add or subtract from God’s word would prevent us from fully obeying Him. If commands were subtracted, they would not be known to His people. If words were added, it might require extra things of God’s people which God had not commanded. To this end, Moses warned Israel of this, “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you” [Deut. 4:2].

The precise determination of the extent of the canon of Scripture is therefore of utmost importance. If we are to trust and obey God absolutely, we must have a collection of words that we are certain are God’s words.

I think the best way to handle this would be to do a intermediate series about the canon before I move on to the other characteristics of the Bible I haven’t done yet [innerrancy, clarity, necessity, etc.].

I will address a few issues I think I can briefly commented on.

First, I’ve heard you say on a few occasions on this blog something to the effect that God is your highest authority not the Bible. I could not agree more. My impression is that you have been involved with individuals who have elevated the Bible in an unhealthy way [legalistic, idolistic, etc.].

In saying that our final authority is the Bible, I am saying that the Bible is the primary way we know about God today. At this point in my Christian maturity, I must submit myself to the truth of God’s Word over my personal experience or at least let my personal experience be informed by God’s Word. Frankly, your argument can be used to diminish the importance of God’s Word. I don’t think you are doing this, but I’m not really sure why it’s necessary to make the argument.

Second, as for the nature of the Bible’s purpose, I was speaking more to the idea that to impose rules of logic and reasoning upon the Bible at times will prove frustrating. There are mysteries that can’t be dissected in this manner. I wasn’t saying that the Bible was authoritative in issues of math, science, etc.

Third, I appreciate and am challenged by your reminder that our apologetic to other religions must be fair, taking into account shortcomings in the realm of Christianity. I’m not sure the statement is one that I would use with those of other religions. As I write on this blog, I am working through the filter: A place to hash-out Christian Theology. I am not primarily concerned [although I am secondarily] with how my line of Christian thinking intersects with other religions.