Tentatively Christian; looking for a reasonable discussion

[Esquilax]

They are basically the same problem. Anyone, but Heraclitus, can see that from cradle to grave, Joe is still Joe. And anyone, except Parmenides, can see that Joe has changed in material composition, size shape, and capacities. I wish there was a philosophical tradition that could somehow resolve this dilemma. Hmmmmm....

There's also a realistic tradition that resolves this dilemma, by revealing that the dilemma is merely an equivocation offered by people wishing to resort to the philosophical tradition; Joe may have changed in material composition, but he has not done so entirely, all at once. Joe changes gradually over time, and since "Joe," as an identity,exists as a process going on within Joe's brain, that process can persist regardless of how many physical things change. Sort of like how I can replace the fan on my PC, yet the hard drive doesn't require magic to retain all its programs just because a physical component changes.