The first volume of Norm's Systematic Theology is very different than other sets of systematic theology. He goes into great depth about how we should do theology before he starts setting out his theology. As he tells his theology students, what you think with (methodologies) is just as important as what you're thinking about. This is helpful for showing his presuppositions (or preconditions as he calls them as presupposition isn't quite the right word) and methods for arriving at his conclusions. He's giving us a glimpse under the hood, so to speak, to see the machinery before he turns the machine on and revs it up. To use another metaphor, he's laying his cards on the table. This is something most theologians either don't do at all or do very lightly. Volume one is arguably the most important volume of the four. If you're only going to buy one volume of this set, buy volume 1. (Or go find the one-volume version which contains slightly abridged versions of all four volumes.) Why is there so much bad theology out there? Bad methodology. Everyone who reads and thinks about the Bible does some degree of systematization. It's inevitable and inescapable. The real question, I think, is how well we aspire to do it. Norm has taught theology for over fifty years in several seminaries. His mind is an amazing logic machine. His training and practice in logic and philosophy makes him a more effective systematic theologian. He is one of the few thomistic evangelical theologians in the world and that also makes these volumes unique and valuable. But he also is quick to point out where Aristotle and Aquinas were wrong. High recommendations for this!