250+ Online Seminary Classes, Courses, Programs, and Book Recommendations

Free Online Seminary Resources Mp3 Lectures Classes Courses Book Programs Recommendations

The internet is revolutionizing every industry known to man. More resources and opportunities are available to everyone in the world like we could even imagine just a mere twenty years ago. Theological education is no different, and if anything presents students an amazing opportunity for students, pastors, and lay Christian leaders to bolster their faith.

Below is a smattering of every great seminary resource I could find.The courses come from a variety of schools and teachers and are organized by subject matter. Although there are some different theological views of teachers and schools listed below, I sought to provide resources (to the best of my knowledge) that maintain the authority of Scripture and orthodox evangelical beliefs. I will continually add to this post as more resources become available, so you may want to bookmark it and check back.

Let our theological pursuits echo the prayer of Philippians 1:9 that says, “…it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment..”

Recommended Books:

Audio lectures are one facet of a complete education involving personal instruction and reading relevant books. For each of the disciplines listed below, I have assembled a list of recommended books from my own personal study or various recommendations.

For more recommendations, see:9 Marks’ Ministries book recommendations, The Gospel Coalition’s Recommended books, Westminster Theological Seminary’s Recommended Reading, Alistair Begg’s Recommended Books for Pastors, or Reformed Theological Seminary’s reading list, orWayne Grudem’s Seminary Book List.

For recommended lists of the best Bible Commentaries, I recommend BestCommentaries.com, and for a Reformed perspective, Ligonier Ministries and Tim Challies have great recommendations.

A Quick Word on How to Best Use These Resources

The best theological education combines classroom time, hands-on learning, mentorship, peer interaction, and a rigorous reading list. Accredited degree programs provide structure and accountability that ensures students can hit their goals and grow from having wise and godly people speaking into their lives. The best use these lectures and books is done under local church leadership and mentorship who can connect the scholarly world of seminary with the real world of the church.

Just like there can be a huge distance between the classroom and the church, there can be a huge distance between a student’s head and heart. Here is a warning from J.I. Packer on studying theology:

“We need to ask ourselves: what is my ultimate aim and object in occupying my mind with these things? What do I intend to do with my knowledge about God once I have got it? For the fact that we have to face is this: that if we pursue theological knowledge for its own sake, it is bound to go bad on us. It will make us proud and conceited…to approach Bible study with no higher a motive than a desire to know all the answers, is the direct route to a state of self-satisfied self-deception. We need to guard our hearts against such an attitude, and pray to be kept from it.”(fromKnowing God)

Also check out John Frame’s 30 Suggestions for Theological Students and Young Theologians on Andy Naselli’s blog.

You may also enjoy:100+ Book Recommendations for Christian Readers

Key for Schools and Institutes

Biola University = Biola
Covenant Theological Seminary = Covenant
Reformed Theological Seminary = RTS
Dallas Theological Seminary = DTS
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School = TEDS
Biblical Training Institute = BTI (if link appears broken, search course title on BiblicalTraining.org and you should find it)
Westminster Theological Seminary = WTS
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary = SEBTS
The Master’s Seminary = TMS
Concordia Seminary = Concordia
Liberty University = Liberty
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary = GCTS
Certificate Program: Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s Dimensions of the Faith Program

Free Practical Ministry Training for Christian Leaders

Open the Bible Courses is not official seminary classes but really helpful and encouraging practical training for ministry leaders, lay and vocational. The key focus is pursuing godliness and keeping the words of 1 Timothy 4:16 to watch our lives and doctrine closely.