Life Long Learning - Calvin Theological Seminary

Self Guided Online Classes

You can learn through one of our online resources. The fee is $128 for one year of access (for 2021-2022). If you are interested in one of the online resources, fill out the form below to register.

Registering will give you access to our Canvas system, this is where you will be able to view the content. An email with login instructions will be sent to you.

Online Resources

Bible Overview

This resource provides a condensed overview of the Bible and can be completed in about 15 hours. It traces the themes of creation, fall, and redemption and presents the Bible as the one true story of the entire world. Participants will read "The Drama of Scripture: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story (2nd ed.)" by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen. This educational and formational tool is meant to complement training specific to your ministry context.

Bible Survey

These videos will demonstrate how each book of the Bible finds its focus in Jesus Christ. And because believers are being conformed to the likeness of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, the videos will also demonstrate how each book of the Bible has continuing relevance today for individual believers and for the church as a whole. When you have completed these videos, your own understanding of the Christ-centeredness of the Bible will be greatly enhanced. You’ll be able to lead a person to Christ from anywhere in the Bible! You’ll also have an excellent framework on which to hang all the rest of your biblical studies. The main textbook for your reference is Michael Williams’s How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens: A Guide to Christ-Focused Reading of Scripture (Zondervan, 2012).

Christian Reformed Church Polity

This educational resource is intended for leaders in the Christian Reformed Church, especially those appointed to positions such as stated clerks, church visitors, and synodical deputies, but is open to any church leaders. The series is self-directed and consists of brief videos on a number of topics and sections of the CRC’s Church Order, as well as discussion boards and opportunities to ask the professor questions in general, or privately about specific situations. You can choose the sections that apply to your interests or needs, but for those interested in learning more, the resource provides a review of the entire Church Order. For this course, registration allows for unlimited access to the resource.

Digital Bible Tools

These materials introduce students to using digital tools for studying Scripture: exploring the text in its original language, finding resources for deeper enrichment, and establishing a lifelong process for preparing to teach and preach.

Foundations: Creeds and Reformed Confessions

This resource introduces Reformed theology through a study of creeds (Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed), confessions (Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort), and contemporary testimonies and declarations (Contemporary Testimony, Belhar Confession).

Hebrew Fundamentals

These resources guide users all the way from the basics of the Hebrew alphabet and pronunciation to the reading and comprehension of Old Testament texts. Resources include instructional videos, lesson summaries, vocabulary audio files, guided exercises and labs, and quizzes. The textbook is Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar by Gary Pratico and Miles Van Pelt.

Thinking about Trying Seminary?

You may take courses at Calvin Seminary either as a non-degree student or as a community auditor. Here are the differences:

Non-degree students

Non-degree students complete all assignments, receive feedback from the professor, and receive graduate-level credit. To get started as a non-degree student, you fill out the application at Apply Now.

Community Auditors

Community auditors attend all class meetings, but do not have required assignments, receive grades, or receive graduate-level credit. The auditing fee is $115 per credit hour (for 2022-2023). Email continuing.education@calvinseminary.edu to receive registration information.

Listed below are the continuing education offerings for Spring 2022:

These options are great introductions to coursework at Calvin Seminary and would be helpful both as one-time course work for professional development, or as a springboard to further education.

Spring 2022 - Residential

I Corinthians

Studies the historical context, social setting and epistolary structure of 1 Corinthians, emphasizing the major themes and issues of this letter and its message for the church today.

Instructor

Jeffrey Weima

Meeting Times

Sunday 1:30pm - 3:15pm

Course Availability

Type of Course

Course Term

Spring

Theology of Worship and the Sacraments

Studies Reformed theological writings on corporate worship and the sacraments and examines how their enduring themes are reflected in worship practices today.

Instructor

John D. Witvliet

Meeting Times

Wednesday 1:30pm - 4:15am

Course Availability

Type of Course

Course Term

Spring

The Person, Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit

An in-depth study of the Scriptural teaching and theological reflection on the person of the Holy Spirit, his work in the world, and his role in the salvation and life of believers.

Meeting Times

Tuesday 1:30pm - 4:15pm

Course Term

Spring

Spring 2022 - Distance

Human Suffering and Pastoral Care

Engages the spiritual struggle to embrace the realities of human suffering and the loving nature of God through a variety of theological perspectives from classical and popular texts.

Instructor

Danjuma Gibson

Course Availability

Type of Course

Course Term

Spring

Christianity and Race in America

This course explores the tangled history of Christianity and race in America. It examines how empire-building, migration, slavery, abolition, racialization, and other features of European expansion impacted the development of Christianity in North America. We will pay special attention to Native American and African-American voices in the Atlantic world as well as Asian and Asian- American perspectives in the Pacific world to study the multicultural dimensions of American Christianity. Along the way, students will learn how historical inquiry can shape Christian witness that aspires toward the common good.

Course Term

Spring

Conferences at Calvin Seminary

Calvin Seminary hosts a number of conferences, lectures, and other public events. See any upcoming events below. For more information on regular occuring conferences and lectures, visit our Conferences page.

The Puritans and Their Impact September 24-25, 2021

Just over four hundred years ago, in 1620, the Mayflower arrived on the shores of Cape Cod. Many of those on board had left England first for the Netherlands and then embarked on the transatlantic voyage because they felt they could not live within the theological and liturgical framework of the established Church of England. Within the next decades, these dissenters, known as the Pilgrims, were joined by other Puritans, establishing colonies along the northeastern seaboard of North America. Many aspects of this migration have become part of the fabric of the story of the United States, yet this legacy is complex and deserving of further reflection. To shed light on the Puritans and their impact, and to foster informed discussion, the Meeter Center is organizing a two-day conference on September 24 and 25, 2021, at Calvin Theological Seminary. All are heartily welcome. In plenary lectures and panel discussions, expert presenters will focus on the theological roots of Puritanism and on the history of Puritans' actions and legacies in North America, including their relations with Native American communities. Speakers include Margaret Bendroth (executive director (ret.) of the Congregational Library and Archives), Richard Muller (emeritus, Calvin Theological Seminary), Matthew Tuininga (Calvin Theological Seminary), Chad Van Dixhoorn (Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia), Abram Van Engen (Washington University in Saint Louis), and Adrian Weimer (Providence College). Conference participants will also get a special tour of the Meeter Center's Puritan exhibit, with several rare books on loan from Puritan Reformed Seminary's extensive collection. Don't miss this outstanding opportunity!

Other Resources

Calvin Theological Seminary is pleased to offer the Visiting Scholar Program to professors and pastors who would like to spend a study leave of one or more months on campus.

Visiting Scholars