From time to time, the dudes [sic] over on apologetics Twitter get upset when people with advanced degrees in theology/religious studies have the audacity to tell them that they're ignorant. Because "having a PhD in theology doesn't make you an expert." <cracks knuckles>

Their logic seems to be that having a PhD in something like Chemistry makes sense because there are certain skills and ways of thinking that characterize the discipline. But having a PhD in theology is dumb because "I have a Bible and can read it for myself."

It's a stupid argument, and it betrays (among other things) their profound ignorance of the tradition that they claim to revere so highly. Want to read the Bible without the help of a biblical scholar? Ok. There are plenty of Greek manuscripts out there to choose from.

Want to read John Calvin? Hope your Latin is good. To watch these guys [sic] flail around and try to make sense of complex theological concepts is to witness the Dunning-Kruger Effect (cue next Tweet) in its natural habitat.

Part of being educated in ANY field is becoming aware of just how much you don't know. Unfortunately, most of the bros [sic] on apologetics Twitter are still climbing Mt. Stupid. Many will never make it to the peak.

Training in a field (be that theology/religious studies, medicine, or chemistry) means that one has expertise *in that field.* That does not mean that one is necessarily "right" about everything in the field. That's not the point of expertise.

But also, having an advanced degree in a field does not mean that you are automatically a master of all. My PhD in early Christianity makes me an expert in early Christianity. You would be a fucking moron to take medical advice from me.

I guess that's it. Happy Monday, y'all.