Course Catalog
Chapala Theological Seminary offers 65 free online Bible and theology courses, in English, Spanish, and French. Every course includes bilingual lessons and a self-graded review. See Program Requirements for how courses combine into the seminary's four credential tracks.
Foundation Courses
Every student begins with these seven courses. Once complete, the rest of the catalog opens.
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Church History
A survey of church history from the apostolic era to the present.
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Evangelism
A biblical and practical course on personal evangelism and sharing the gospel.
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New Testament Survey
A survey of the New Testament from the Gospels through Revelation, tracing the life of Christ and the early church.
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Old Testament Survey
A chronological survey of the Old Testament from Genesis through Malachi, tracing the storyline of Scripture.
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Pastoral Ministries
A course on the biblical foundations and practical duties of pastoral ministry.
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Preaching (WiseSpeak)
An introduction to expository preaching using Wayne Cook's WiseSpeak method.
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Systematic Theology
A study of core Christian doctrine, including revelation, God, humanity, sin, salvation, the church, and last things.
Master of Divinity Required Core
These thirteen courses, together with the seven foundation courses, make up the M.Div.'s twenty-course required core.
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Acts
A study of the book of Acts and the spread of the early church.
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Administration & Leadership
A course in church administration and pastoral leadership.
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Apologetics
A course in defending the Christian faith and answering common objections.
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Biblical Counseling
A course in biblical counseling using Drakeford's ten steps.
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Christian Education
A course in the theory and practice of Christian education in the local church.
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Genesis Intensive
An in-depth study of the book of Genesis, from creation through the patriarchs.
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Hermeneutics
Principles of biblical interpretation for accurately understanding and applying Scripture.
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Language Appreciation
An introduction to the value of biblical Hebrew and Greek for pastors, without requiring fluency.
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Matthew Intensive
An in-depth study of the Gospel of Matthew.
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Psalms
A study of the Psalms as prayer, praise, and instruction for the life of faith.
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Romans
A verse-by-verse study of Paul's letter to the Romans.
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World Missions
A biblical and practical study of world missions and cross-cultural ministry.
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Worship
A biblical and practical study of Christian worship.
Electives
Additional courses open to all students once the seven foundation courses are complete.
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1 Peter Intensive
An in-depth study of the first epistle of Peter.
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Bible Characters
A study of key figures throughout Scripture and the lessons of their lives.
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Bible Characters II
A second course studying additional figures throughout Scripture.
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Parables of the Bible
The parables of the prophets and of Jesus, how to read them, and how to preach them.
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Church Growth
A course on biblical principles for healthy church growth.
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Counseling Situations
A course applying biblical counseling to specific pastoral situations.
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Cults & World Religions
A survey of major cults and world religions from a Christian perspective.
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Deacon Family Ministry Plan
A course on organizing deacon ministry around caring for church families.
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Doctrinal Preaching
A course in preaching that clearly teaches Christian doctrine.
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Evangelistic Preaching
A course in preaching for evangelistic effect.
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Galatians Intensive
An in-depth study of Paul's letter to the Galatians.
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How We Got the Bible
A course on the transmission, canon, and translation history of the Bible.
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Joshua Intensive
An in-depth study of the book of Joshua.
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Narrative Preaching
A course in preaching narrative Scripture as story.
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Pastoral & Christian Ethics
A course in Christian ethics and its application to pastoral life and ministry.
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Practical Theology
A course applying theology to daily Christian living and ministry.
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Radical Christianity
A course on radical discipleship and wholehearted commitment to Christ.
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Revelation Intensive
An in-depth study of the book of Revelation.
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Ruth and Esther
A study of the books of Ruth and Esther.
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The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
A study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
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The Gospel of John
An in-depth study of the Gospel of John.
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The Life of Christ
A harmonized study of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ across the Gospels.
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The Pentateuch
An in-depth study of the first five books of the Bible.
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The Pentecostal & Charismatic Movement
A study of the history, theology, and practice of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement.
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World Religions
A survey of the major world religions from a Christian perspective.
Pentecostal–Charismatic Electives
Written from within this tradition for students who belong to it. Full elective credit toward CTS degrees; open after the foundation courses.
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History and Development of Pentecostalism
Interim elective written from within the Pentecostal and Charismatic tradition.
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Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology
Interim elective written from within the Pentecostal and Charismatic tradition.
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The Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, and Discernment
Interim elective written from within the Pentecostal and Charismatic tradition.
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Pentecostal Worship, Preaching, and Ministry
Interim elective written from within the Pentecostal and Charismatic tradition.
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Pentecostal Pastoral Leadership and Global Missions
Interim elective written from within the Pentecostal and Charismatic tradition.
Baptist–Congregational Electives
Written from within this tradition for students who belong to it. Full elective credit toward CTS degrees; open after the foundation courses.
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Baptist History and Denominational Development
Interim elective written from within the Baptist and Congregational tradition.
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Baptist Theology and Distinctive Doctrines
Interim elective written from within the Baptist and Congregational tradition.
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Congregational Church Government and Baptist Polity
Interim elective written from within the Baptist and Congregational tradition.
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Baptist Worship, Ordinances, and Preaching
Interim elective written from within the Baptist and Congregational tradition.
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Baptist Pastoral Ministry, Missions, and Church Leadership
Interim elective written from within the Baptist and Congregational tradition.
Methodist–Wesleyan–Nazarene Electives
Written from within this tradition for students who belong to it. Full elective credit toward CTS degrees; open after the foundation courses.
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John Wesley and the History of Methodism
Interim elective written from within the Methodist, Wesleyan and Nazarene tradition.
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Wesleyan Theology and the Doctrine of Salvation
Interim elective written from within the Methodist, Wesleyan and Nazarene tradition.
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Holiness, Sanctification, and Christian Perfection
Interim elective written from within the Methodist, Wesleyan and Nazarene tradition.
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Methodist and Nazarene Polity, Worship, and Sacraments
Interim elective written from within the Methodist, Wesleyan and Nazarene tradition.
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Wesleyan Pastoral Ministry, Evangelism, and Global Missions
Interim elective written from within the Methodist, Wesleyan and Nazarene tradition.
Reformed–Presbyterian Electives
Written from within this tradition for students who belong to it. Full elective credit toward CTS degrees; open after the foundation courses.
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History of the Reformation and Reformed Churches
Interim elective written from within the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.
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Reformed Theology and the Doctrines of Grace
Interim elective written from within the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.
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Covenant Theology, Scripture, and Reformed Confessions
Interim elective written from within the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.
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Presbyterian Polity, Worship, and Sacraments
Interim elective written from within the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.
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Reformed Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, and Missions
Interim elective written from within the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition.