No-cost theological and biblical studies resources
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Many neurodivergent people find the topics of theology, biblical
studies, studies of religions, philosophy, and ethics interesting,
even if they do not necessarily believe in them uncritically. At
the same time, they often find conventional schooling extremely
challenging.
Here I have made a list of no-cost resources that offer
college-level lectures and courses. They can be accessed from
anywhere with access to the Internet.
Please note that most of these institutions are very conservative
theologically and politically, as they tend to be the ones who are
more willing to offer free educational opportunities that they
believe would advance their missions and objectives. Nevertheless,
even within such institutions, professors and academics are less
likely to be doctrinaire conservatives or fundamentalists, and you
will find many of their offerings quite valuable for your
education. Please use critical thinking and discernment, as always.
I do not necessarily endorse them as institutions, or their
positions on a variety of issues.
Willow.
(This list is current as of July 6, 2024.)
## Graduate Theological Union's GTUx
GTUx is the online extension program (open courseware) of the
Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, California. This is
an interreligious institution and perhaps the most liberal of all
programs listed here. GTUx consists of an extensive collection of
video lectures from a very diverse community of lecturers.
=>
https://gtux.gtu.edu GTUx
## Dallas Theological Seminary Global Institute
Founded in 1924, Dallas Theological Seminary celebrates its
centennial this year and counts many well-known names as its
alumni, including Chuck Swindoll, Andy Stanley, and David Jeremiah.
While DTS is non-denominational, it has had a profound influence on
the development of American Evangelicalism, including its emphasis
on dispensationalism and biblical inerrancy. Recently rebranded
"DTS Global Institute" offers a wide array of free courses on the
Bible, ministry, and theology.
=>
https://courses.dts.edu/ DTS Global Institute
## BiblicalTraining
BiblicalTraining, based in Lebanon, Oregon, is a non-denominational
and "broadly evangelical" digital ministry offering free
college-level courses featuring distinguished professors from
world-class seminaries and universities. Certificates are available
(for a fee). In addition, college degrees are offered through
Okanagan Bible College through affiliation (subject to OBC's
tuitions, fees, and policies).
=>
https://www.biblicaltraining.org BiblicalTraining
## CBN/Regent University
Regent University and Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) offer a
6-hour course on how to read the Bible, taught by Regent
professors. Regent University was founded by televangelist Pat
Robertson, so that should tell you about its theological and
political bent.
=>
https://courses.cbn.com/ CBN Courses
## Hillsdale College
Over many years, Hillsdale has gained a reputation as a bastion of
far-right thoughts. The college often makes public statements in
support of extreme conservatism. Nonetheless, their free online
course platform has a lot to offer if you are interested in
classical philosophy and theology. Of particular interest to
learners of theology are: "Ancient Christianity", "C.S. Lewis on
Christianity", "Introduction to Western Philosophy", "Introduction
to Aristotle's Ethics", "Western Heritage: From the Book of Genesis
to John Locke", and "Theology 101: the Western Theological
Tradition."
=>
https://online.hillsdale.edu/course-list Hillsdale College
Online Courses
## Christian Leaders Institute
Unique among all the institutions listed here, Christian Leaders
Institute (CLI) of Spring Lake, Michigan, not only offers free
college-level courses in theology and ministry, it also enables
students to earn transferable college credits, as well as
certificates, diplomas, and undergraduate degrees (the degrees are
not available in all states). CLI currently holds a "candidate"
status for accreditation by the Association for Biblical Higher
Education (ABHE) and has a number of articulation (credit
transfers) agreements with other universities and colleges. The
course offerings are very extensive and also include several
general studies courses. CLI claims to be non-denominational and
Evangelical, but most professors appear to be from the Reformed
(Calvinist) traditions and accordingly Calvinism is the predominant
theological bent at CLI.
=>
https://www.christianleaders.org Christian Leaders Institute
## Thirdmill Institute
Thirdmill (short for "third millennium") is a ministry creating
high-quality courseware to meet the global need for theological
education. Thirdmill's multimedia course materials are used
worldwide by churches, schools, and Bible colleges. The video
curriculum is open to everyone. A structured free diploma program
is also available, although this is geared toward local churches
that are willing to form a small group learning community.
=>
https://thirdmill.org/seminary/ Thirdmill video seminary
curriculum
=>
https://thirdmillinstitute.org/ Thirdmill Institute (must join a
Learning Community)
## The Opened Bible Academy
This program appears to be in-person and in Texas, but an interview
with an OBA instructor mentions a live virtual class as well.
=>
https://www.the-oba.org/ The Opened Bible Academy
=>
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/theestuary/2023/08/the-opened-bible-academy-bringing-seminary-to-church/
An interview with instructor Rick Hale
## Honorable mention: School of Business and Technology
While the School of Business and Technology (SOBAT) is a business
school, not a theological school, it deserves a mention here
because it offers college-level courses in business and social
sciences leading to certificates, diplomas, and degrees, much like
CLI. Based in Lucerne, Switzerland, SOBAT delivers courses through
its Moodle platform (also very much like CLI).
=>
https://sobat.org/ School of Business and Technology (SOBAT)
