There are so many reasons that we give for not wanting to study systematic theology.

We might think it's too hard, or that it's just something for pastors and seminary students.

We might worry that it puts God in a box, or frankly, we might find it all just a bit boring.

In my interview today, I'm talking with John Nielsen about six common objections to studying

theology that he's heard over the years as a pastor, including that it's too impractical, too

confusing, and too divisive. John Nielsen serves as the senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois.

He's also the author of Knowing God's Truth, an introduction to systematic theology, which

is the first book in Crossway's new Theology Basic Suite, a collection of books and study

guides that introduce readers to systematic theology, biblical theology, and biblical hermeneutics.

Let's get started.

Well, John, thank you so much for joining me today on the Crossway podcast.

Good to be here. Thanks, Matt.

So today we're going to talk about some of the common objections that people often

have when it comes to systematic theology. For some people, that term obviously is they love theology.

They love talking about these things, but for others, it's a pretty intimidating kind of topic,

or it has all kinds of baggage that they don't love. And so today I want to talk about some of that baggage perhaps that people might have.

And so we're going to go through a few of these together.

The first one, I think the most maybe common one that people would resonate with is

just systematic theology is too hard.

I'm not smart enough.

I don't have a degree.

I never went to Bible college.

...