/lit/ - Literature

>>15054598
>that must be why Protestants are all in agreement about theological matters :)
There is disagreement and debate in every branch of human inquiry, that's part of being finite, sinful and living in a fallen world. The eastern church disagrees with the western church, the coptics with both, the sedes, sspx and tradcaths fight over Vatican2, etc.
But we can still establish some fundamentals that link us all together in the faith and view ourselves as brothers;, however heresies that challenge those fundamentals deserve to be pushed against from all sides. When Arians/mormons/JW/Nestorians/etc come around we can all stand together against them. That's why I'm thankful for the early church weeding out gnostics and heretics over the centuries.

>>15054597
Even if you have a tiny mustard seed of faith God will grow it in you, just a matter of time. It took me a while to learn that everything is going according to His plan. The idea of pre-election has had a profound impact on me. When I was trying to "convert myself" and "work with God" and 'build faith' via my own effort and intelligence I had far less success. Eventually I surrendered my will and basically said "do what you will Oh Lord, only you can save me, I can't do anything right...if I fall out so be it...". A few weeks later I happened upon "Ligonier Ministries" on youtubes, and started watching their question sessions and sermons, RC Sproul in particular, and reading about John Calvin and it all clicked. I gained a much higher view of God, definitely worthy of worship and exaltation.

>>15021890

all you need is Christ, and if you are being led to him and his words resonate with you, it's not of your own power and cleverness, but by the very grace of God. That is a sign in itself and you should not treat it lightly.

As for your question, studying other religions is fine once you have a firm footing in Christ and his gospel, and a basis for your own worldview. But if you are on shaky grounds you won't be able to see the mistakes and confabulations that other religions preach.

>>9213346
>god is evil and demented

does not compute.
that's like saying 3 is an even number, or married men are bachelors.

>>9213328

philosophy mostly clarifies semantics and logical connections between concepts, you still need your own "intuition" to get the ball rolling.

philosophy can support a transcendent God quite easily with logic, see Plato/Aristotle/Plotinus, but to get to the meaningful, personal and loving God you need a wise man's intuition, serious contemplation and seeking; if you don' have that you gotta refer to a prophet for help and their holy scripture.