Guest Blog Post by Joshua W. Anderson (joshuaanderson<at>fuller.edu)
What if I told you it’s possible to get a free theological education online? It’s well known that one can get a degree online these days; more and more schools are making their courses available on “virtual campuses.” They include the same lectures you would hear in the classroom—just recorded and posted online. Applying for school online has become a viable option, especially for those whose current walk in life makes them unwilling or unable to move across country to be on campus.
But let’s say you don’t want to actually enroll in a program and dish out the money for a degree. (Maybe you already have another degree, or are in the workforce, or ministry). Can you still get a theological education for free? You sure can: many Christian colleges and seminaries have posted classes to download for free on iTunes U. So much so, you can build your own curriculum rivaling the amount of classroom time it would take to actually go to school. At the end of your studies you won’t get a piece of paper to hang on the wall and show your friends, but you will learn a lot that God will be able to use for your ministry.
If you’re feeling led to do this, I’d recommend downloading a flash card program like Anki http://ankisrs.net/ and building flash card decks full of only the information you hear in the lectures you want to stick in your brain. Don’t go crazy building a huge deck of cards you’ll feel overwhelmed with; just put stuff on there you actually want to be able to quote off the top of your head. Then incorporate a daily (or weekly) time of study into your life. Just listen to a lecture (taking notes or adding info to your Anki deck), and then go over your flashcards again for the day. Anki is really cool because it’s designed upon an algorithm that works with the way we learn—so you only have to designate a set amount of time you want to study each day and over time you will master large amounts of material.
The time is going to pass either way: a year from now either you will have absorbed the equivalent of a master’s degree of knowledge, or not. I’m just telling you that you can do it for free!
Check out the links below for schools that have courses online, and my own ideas for putting together a curriculum.
God bless you in your studies.
Christian Schools:
Fuller Theological Seminary:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/fuller-theological-seminary/id380159118
Reformed Theological Seminary:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/reformed-theological-seminary/id378878142
Biola University:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/biola-university/id389654288
Dallas Theological Seminary:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/dallas-theological-seminary/id386158137
Liberty University:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/liberty-university/id427898998
Westminster Theological Seminary:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/westminster-theological-seminary/id430331214
Concordia Seminary:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/concordia-seminary/id426790662
Christian History:
History of Christianity I (Reformed Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/history-of-christianity-i/id378878676
History of Christianity II (Reformed Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/history-of-christianity-ii/id378878708
History I (Reformed Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=378878750
History II (Reformed Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=378878755
History of the Christian Church I (Liberty University)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=427913072
History of the Christian Church II (Liberty University)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=431286200
Ancient and Medieval Church History (Covenant Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=418582066
Christian Philosophy and Apologetics:
Critical Reasoning for Beginners (Oxford University)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/critical-reasoning-for-beginners/id387875757
Ethics for Complete Beginners (Oxford University)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=438910219
History of Philosophy and Christian Thought (Reformed Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/history-philosophy-christian/id378879176
Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (Notre Dame)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=382668779
Defenders Class by William Lane Craig (ReasonableFaith.org)
http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/defenders-podcast/id252618196
Apologetics and Outreach (Covenant Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=418582076
Introduction to Apologetics (Liberty University)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=427913229
Christian Apologetics as Taught by Ronald Nash (Reformed Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=409829793
Christian Apologetics as Taught by John Frame (Reformed Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=378879273
History and Nature of Apologetics (Westminster Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=430339495
Hermeneutics and Exegesis:
Biblical Hermeneutics (Fuller Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/ne505-biblical-hermeneutics/id380159148
Bible Study Methods (Dallas Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=386158693
Biblical Hermeneutics (Concordia Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=426809720
The Gospels as Histories taught by Richard Bauckham (Reformed Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=426936770
The Pentateuch (Fuller Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=380159249
The Prophets (Fuller Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=380159288
Textual Criticism:
The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (Daniel Wallace)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/center-for-study-new-testament/id416966041
Biblical Languages:
Basics of Biblical Hebrew (Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/beginning-hebrew-ruth-class/id392738805
Elementary Hebrew (Concordia Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=426804337
Elementary Greek (Concordia Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=426804037
Elements of Greek I (Dallas Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=386159183
Elements of Greek II (Dallas Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=386159200
Preaching and Homiletics:
Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety (UC Davis)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/itunes-u/overcoming-public-speaking/id414117823
Expository Preaching I (Dallas Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=386159618
Homiletics II (Concordia Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=426816801
Systematic Theology:
Systematic Theology as Taught by Wayne Grudem
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/wayne-grudems-systematic-theology/id322844869
Intro to Theology (Dallas Theological Seminary)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=386159276
Some Notable Secular Institutions and Courses:
Oxford University:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/oxford-university/id381699182
Yale University:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/yale-university/id341649956
Harvard:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/harvard-university/id379060688
MIT:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/mit/id341593265
Stanford:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/institution/stanford/id384228265
Philosophy of Mind as Taught by John Searle (UC Berkley)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=438307693
Science and Religion Lectures (Cambridge University)
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=418516646
*Note
I stuck with only links through iTunes U (except for William Lane Craig’s Defender’s class, and Dan Wallace’s material, because I couldn’t resist) but obviously you don’t have to limit yourself to this; there are also awesome podcasts that you could learn from that are not affiliated with a Christian university. Just go for it!
August 17, 2011 at 10:58
Many of the pastors at my church went to Covenant Theological Seminary. Glad to see a Jerram Barrs lecture linked on this blog!
August 17, 2011 at 12:26
Really good post. Here’s some more courses on iTunes:
A Conversation in History and Theology by Dr. Maxie Burch
http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/a-conversation-in-history/id215629223
Apologetics, 23 Lectures by Professor Charles Self:
http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/agts.edu.2091850736.02091850741
Professor Douglas Groothuis’ course on Apologetics:
http://graphe.wordpress.com/2006/11/30/douglas-groothuis-mp3-apologetics-lecture/
Biblical Training has college courses by Ronald Nash and others:
http://www.biblicaltraining.org/
The Ultimate Apologetics MP3 Audio Page by Apologetics 315 also has numerous lecturates, including such scholars as Wayne Grudem, Robert Bowman, Ken Boa, Phil Fernandez, John Robbins, Van Til, et al.
August 17, 2011 at 12:28
Really good post. Here’s some more courses on iTunes:
A Conversation in History and Theology by Dr. Maxie Burch
http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/a-conversation-in-history/id215629223
Apologetics, 23 Lectures by Professor Charles Self:
http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/agts.edu.2091850736.02091850741
Professor Douglas Groothuis’ course on Apologetics:
http://graphe.wordpress.com/2006/11/30/douglas-groothuis-mp3-apologetics-lecture/
Biblical Training has college courses by Ronald Nash and others:
http://www.biblicaltraining.org/
The Ultimate Apologetics MP3 Audio Page by Apologetics 315 also has numerous lecturates, including such scholars as Wayne Grudem, Robert Bowman, Ken Boa, Phil Fernandez, John Robbins, Van Til, et al.
http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-apologetics-mp3-audio-page.html
August 17, 2011 at 12:32
Wow! What an abundance of resources. Thanks for sharing
August 17, 2011 at 12:33
Nicely done! Thanks.
August 17, 2011 at 12:34
GREAT post. All great resources.
Readers might also want to check out The Ultimate Apologetics MP3 Audio Page http://j.mp/1t47g
August 17, 2011 at 16:57
Excellent post!
Thanks for the resources
August 21, 2011 at 18:21
Hey guys,
Can you recommend to me any other “expository preaching” series on iTunes, besides the ones posted above? I want all that I can get.
August 21, 2011 at 18:32
I am sorry. I should explain what I meant. I have noticed online that there are spots like Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s “Expository Preaching Workshop” which seem to concentrate on “improving” one’s expository preaching. I am too much of an amateur myself for “improving” at this point; I would like some very systematic teaching from the basics upward.
August 21, 2011 at 18:36
I am already aware of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s annual Expository Preaching Workshop, but it seems to concentrate on “improving” one’s expository preaching. I am too much of an amateur for that. Please direct me to all the more elementary and systematic classes available, if you would.
August 21, 2011 at 18:39
(Sorry for the repeated post. Computer problem)
August 28, 2011 at 02:43
That is awesome! Thanks for the resource list!
September 14, 2011 at 12:13
please help in introducing me a place where i gain a good training in theology
this is my e-mail; dedarks1@yahoo.com
December 20, 2011 at 03:32
When i see all this materials, something happens on the inside of me. You guys are fortunate to have unlimited internet access. I have always wanted to get theological training, i mean quality training unlike what is being offered in bible schools here in Zimbabwe which leaves you craving for more. Pray for me that i might be enabled to get an ipad, an ipod and uncapped internet. Thank you
December 20, 2011 at 10:07
Leonard, I’m so encouraged to hear this! I’ll certainly be praying.
February 8, 2012 at 15:50
Covenant Seminary has and entire MA worth of classes on iTunesU and on the website http://www.worldwide-classroom.com
October 22, 2012 at 20:30
Wow, incredible weblog layout! How long have you been running a blog for? you make blogging look easy. The whole look of your site is excellent, as well as the content material!
November 26, 2012 at 19:19
Absolutely fantastic blog post. Thank you VERY much for sharing.
November 26, 2012 at 19:30
You’re welcome! Please be sure to share this with others! It’s very valuable resource.
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November 14, 2011 at 17:58