knowing

So epistemology is the theory of knowledge. Basically it tries to answer the questions of 'what do we know' and 'how do we know it.' Its very basic and person's answer to these questions will say a lot about all of the other beliefs they hold. I just finished with Ayn Rand's book Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology. I am mainly interested in this topic, at this time, for how knowledge and faith intersect or are distinct from each other. I haven't read a whole lot on epistemology besides Locke, Hume and Berkely[I can't really remember their theories]. I do like Rand's Objectivist epistemology. I will badly summarize it by saying the main thrust of it is that man's concepts are based in reality. This is a bit different than faith in that faith is usually asserted and not based on empirical evidence or not experienced in reality. For Christianity there are a number of truths that just asserted that we can neither confirm nor deny absolutely. For example we cannot absolutely say whether Jesus Christ was raised from the dead or not. You can study a historical record and draw some provisional conclusions about whether this event happened or did not happen but conclusive evidence will not be obtainable. So if one is to be a Christian you must just accept this claim. One is asked to take that existential leap of faith and embrace Christianity. This seems to allow all claims of any religion the possibility of being true. If we are not able to confirm conclusively that the claims of Christianity are true than how are we exclude the claims of Islam, Scientology, Mormonism etc. So some the of the questions I think arise: Can you hold a rational belief in God or even the Christian God? If its not rational and based on foundational knowledge then are you comfortable with mystic belief? And if you hold a mystical belief about your particular religion how do claim your religious belief to be exclusively true and how do you discount other religious claims?