> But Sam's statement is simply not the case; it is indeed possible that some true Christians can change from that belief.

I stand by what I said, which was, in part, that Christianity is not simply a belief, and an acknowledgement that a Christian's beliefs can change. But either the Holy Spirit dwells within you, or he does not, period. If he does, he doesn't go away. I understand that this is a line of reasoning that will not make sense to anyone in whom the Holy Spirit does not already dwell. 1 Cor. 2:14 even says it won't. Nonetheless, this is what the Bible says and I must report if I am to represent/defend my faith well, which is what knivetsil asked for.

> I also don't feel like discussing things with a rabbi or a Christian youth counselor or whatever is really what's most useful here. The writer has gotten plenty of the church's viewpoints...

Let me clarify. If one sees a pastor or youth leader as a representative of the Church institution, then I probably agree -- it may not be so useful to seek out that kind of opinion. However, knivetsil, if what you've grown up in is an institution of a church, that might be a lot of the problem.

Biblically, "the church" is a collective term for all believers in Christ. You CAN'T talk to Christians without hearing the viewpoints of "the church," whether those Christians are buddies on the street, strangers on the Internet, or local leaders.

What I recommend is talking to pastors and/or youth leaders not as representatives of an institution but as human beings, friends, brothers in Christ. If you can't talk to such a one on that level, don't bother, and in fact this is potentially a sign that the whole individual church group should be ignored. (The end of Acts 2 describes how a spiritually healthy church will function.) But any church worth anything is going to have a pastor approachable as a peer, representing only his own personal experiences. Something led that person, as an individual, to a relationship with God, and that's what is good to hear about. I'm afraid I can't find the biblical reference just now, but there are exhortations in Paul's writing to seek out those "above you in the faith" (definitely paraphrased, alas) for guidance, although certainly the Bible is the ultimate authority and anything anybody of any station says that conflicts with it should be discarded.

This is not unlike anything else. If you want to learn about science, you learn it best from professors, the most accomplished researchers in the field, weeding out those few who somehow gained station with a lot of hot air that sounded good. You certainly don't turn to the kid down the street that made a volcano for his science project. If you want to learn about making movies, you talk to go to film school and/or work under established directors, not your crazy uncle with the home movies.

Certainly there is something to be said for consulting with fellow students. If you want Christianity "defended" to you, there is something to be said for consulting with fellow students, some of whom might be better at it and others who are having the same struggles. But none of this is a replacement for consulting with an actual teacher, nor for reading the textbook.