Why believe the bible?

[Whateverist]

IMO, for the millions of adult converts every year, belief in the Bible starts at the end and goes backward. It starts with the final revelation of God (Jesus' message):


1. It is obvious that we are somehow wired to believe in God/higher power/supernatural/purpose/destiny etc.

I would agree we are wired to believe in something more than our own direct attempts at deliberation.  That I assume is because of the way the depth of consciousness exceeds what is available to our conscious minds.  But that doesn't justify expectation of an afterlife.  It doesn't justify positing omni-powers so great that they end up contradicting each other.  Nor does it justify the claim that this God/call-it-what-you-will had any part whatsoever in the creation of the cosmos or life on earth.  Everything beyond its fit in the phenomenology of human conscious experience is gratuitous grafting.  
 

2. Jesus' main message that forgiveness, personal peace, a relationship with God, and eternal life is possible really resonates with some people.

I've always found it was possible and preferable to appreciate and agree with people without worshiping them.  What's up with that?

 
     a. there are a lot of people, who have had tough experiences that find the forgiveness and internal peace very appealing.
     b. when you meet somone who has been a Christian a long time and exemplifies Jesus' teachings and shares how God has been a constant comfort and support to them in their daily lives, it is very appealing.
     c. eternal life, how can you beat that? This component also helps you make sense/cope of the shortness of life, tragedies, and pain endured while we are here.

Well that certainly is an impressive pile of benefits you claim can had by making the choice to believe in God.

3. Another appealing quality of Christianity is having the question of purpose and place in the universe answered. 
     a. with atheism, at best, you are a happy accident with no purpose that will very shortly die and cease to exist.
     b. contrast that with the purpose of man is to "Glorify God and enjoy him forever". We were created for a reason and daily life has purpose.

Do you guarantee that I may have 100% certainty that I know what cannot possibly be known, complete with all the swagger of a used car salesman?

4. Jesus modeled his teachings of love, compassion, and forgiveness for your fellow man and in doing so set an example that, if aspired to, would result in a very fulfilling/satisfying life.

Not sure aspiring alone would actually be enough.  Neither does that guy Jesus have the trademark on love, compassion or forgiveness.
 

If this message resonates with you and you take what is offered, you have now accepted that the main themes of the NT are true. Notice that you don't actually have to believe the Bible (or have even seen one) to get to this stage. This is important because it shows that believing the Bible is inerrant is not required for salvation.

You're right.  Trump too has shown that thinking is greatly over rated and actually plays only a small role in what people come to believe.  Thanks for setting the record straight.