My experience with people of faith has always been to be told that I must have faith in order to understand it. Is there a path to understanding that doesn't involve circular logic?
That being said, you can understand Christianity and the Christian philosophy/worldview perfectly well without faith. You need faith in the capacity and work of the true and living God, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah in order to be saved from sin.
Intellectual understanding of the claims of Christianity and belief in its claims are totally separate.
This is one of the reasons you should speak to those who are competent teachers. You might try and ask Dr. James White if you have specific questions. I'm happy to continue the conversation here but the format is 'limiting' to say the least.
> Intellectual understanding of the claims of Christianity and belief in its claims are totally separate.
I don't think I've ever seen a clear separation of these things. At any rate, if I choose not to believe in the claims then I will be unwelcome by the congregation. In practice, these things seem to go hand-in-hand most commonly.
Also, I would like to thank you for taking the time to reply thoughtfully! I do believe you've been very honest and approaching the conversation in good faith (I have difficulty reading this without it coming off as snide, so please just take it at face value).
(I'm sorry if it is frustrating but I am personally not interested in continuing this conversation privately.)
That's really too bad. Maybe I'll write an article or something.
> Also, I would like to thank you for taking the time to reply thoughtfully! I do believe you've been very honest and approaching the conversation in good faith (I have difficulty reading this without it coming off as snide, so please just take it at face value).
[×] Taken at face value. I appreciate you taking the time to discuss these things, and I wish you the best on this wild ride through life. I pray that God will bless you with the opportunity to know Him.