Chapala Theological Seminary
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Chapala Theological Seminary seal

Seminari ya Kitheolojia ya Chapala

Seminari ya Kitheolojia ya Chapala

Chapala, Jalisco, México
A ministry of Common Ground Fellowship at Little Chapel, Ajijic, Mexico

Free. At your own pace. In English, Spanish and French.

Complete courses in Bible, theology, preaching and ministry, with a certificate for every course you finish and no fees of any kind.

Register Free — Begin Studying See the courses

You register once, for every course. Email is optional.

✦

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)

🔑 Your progress is kept under your student code. Write the code down — it brings your work back on any device. Your code and backups →
Maandishi haya bado hayajatafsiriwa kwa Kiswahili; yanaonyeshwa kwa Kiingereza.
Welcome

A Free Online Seminary for Serious Bible and Ministry Training

Karibu, and thank you for joining us. Chapala Theological Seminary is a free online seminary offering complete, Christ-centered self-study courses in Bible, theology, preaching, pastoral ministry, counseling, missions, and related fields — in English, Spanish, and French, at no cost, and at your own pace. Whether you are preparing for ministry, deepening a lifelong walk with God, or simply hungry to study His Word more carefully, there is a place for you here.

Each course is a complete, self-study program you can work through entirely in your browser. Every lesson is offered in English, Spanish, and French, with built-in review and a certificate at the end. Begin with any of the seven foundation courses, in whatever order suits you; the rest of the catalog opens once they are complete, and your progress is saved as you go.

Your Instructors

A Word from the Faculty

Dr. Ted Rogers

Director, Ph.D.

Dr. Rogers serves as Director of Chapala Theological Seminary and as a co-pastor alongside Dr. Cook. He holds a Ph.D. and brings years of teaching and pastoral leadership to the seminary, guiding its vision and curriculum. His passion is to see the church strengthened by sound doctrine and faithful, well-trained servants.

Dr. Wayne Cook

Faculty & Course Author, Th.D.

Dr. Cook is the author of the seminary's self-study curriculum in English, Spanish and French, and a co-pastor alongside Dr. Rogers. He holds a Th.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has given decades to preaching, pastoral ministry, and teaching, including a book on preaching. He has prepared these courses so that what he has been given might be entrusted to others who can teach as well.

Programs of Study

Certificates & Degrees

Every course you finish earns a Class Certificate. As your courses add up, you earn the seminary’s higher recognitions — at the certificate level, or, with the added written work, at the master’s level. Choose the path that fits your calling, and aim as high as you wish.

Every student begins with the same seven foundation courses — Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Systematic Theology, Evangelism, Pastoral Ministries, Church History, and Preaching. Once those seven are finished, the entire catalog opens. The counts below are the minimums for each recognition — you are warmly encouraged to keep going and complete every course in the library.

Before You Begin — Program Requirements →

Class Certificate
Per course

Finish a course’s lessons and pass its multiple-choice review.

Cheti
Certificate level · 12 courses

The multiple-choice review only.

Shahada ya Mshiriki
Certificate level · 25 courses

Multiple choice, plus ten fill-in-the-blank questions in each unit.

Shahada ya Uzamili ya Teolojia (Th.M.)
Master’s level · 15 courses

Adds written short answers, and every textbook and reading test.

Shahada ya Uzamili ya Huduma ya Kiungu (M.Div.)
Master’s level · 30 courses

The fullest preparation: a 20-course core, the written work, and every textbook and reading test.

Compare the programs — full requirements
ProgramCoursesWork in each unitTextbook and reading tests
Class CertificateCoursesOne courseWork in each unitChagua jibuTextbook and reading testsAs your program requires
ChetiCourses12: the seven foundation courses + 5 of your choiceWork in each unitMultiple choice onlyTextbook and reading testsOptional
Shahada ya MshirikiCourses25: the seven foundation courses + 18 of your choiceWork in each unitMultiple choice + 10 fill-in-the-blankTextbook and reading testsOptional
Shahada ya Uzamili ya Teolojia (Th.M.)Courses15: the seven foundation courses + 8 of your choiceWork in each unitMultiple choice + 10 fill-in-the-blank + 10 short answersTextbook and reading testsRequired: every textbook test and every reading test
Shahada ya Uzamili ya Huduma ya Kiungu (M.Div.)Courses30: the 20-course core + 10 electivesWork in each unitMultiple choice + 10 fill-in-the-blank + 10 short answersTextbook and reading testsRequired: every textbook test and every reading test

Both tests are required for new M.Div. and Th.M. course completions after activation; valid earlier master’s completions remain valid.

The full requirements

Class Certificate
Per course

A certificate for each course you complete — finish its lessons and pass the multiple-choice review.

Cheti
Certificate level · 12 courses

Twelve courses at the certificate level — the seven foundation courses plus five of your choosing — the lessons and multiple-choice review in each.

Shahada ya Mshiriki
Certificate level · 25 courses

Twenty-five courses, including the seven foundation courses — the rest are yours to choose — with the multiple-choice review and the ten fill-in-the-blank questions in each unit.

Shahada ya Uzamili ya Teolojia (Th.M.)
Master’s level · 15 courses

Fifteen courses at the master’s level — the seven foundation courses plus eight of your choosing — adding the ten fill-in-the-blank questions and the written short-answer work in each unit.

Shahada ya Uzamili ya Huduma ya Kiungu (M.Div.)
Master’s level · 30 courses

Thirty courses at the master’s level, with the written work in each — the fullest preparation. The M.Div. has a 20-course required core: the seven foundation courses plus Hermeneutics, Language Appreciation, Genesis Intensive, Psalms, Matthew Intensive, Romans, Acts, Apologetics, Counseling, Administration & Leadership, Worship, Christian Education, and World Missions. The remaining ten courses are electives.

Certificate of Ministry — Progress & Certificate → M.Div. — Progress & Degree → Th.M. — Progress & Degree → Associate of Divinity — Progress & Diploma →

Register Once

Register Here — for Every Course

Enter your name and choose your track — you only register once. Your progress is saved in this browser as you study, and kept with the seminary under your student code, so you can continue on any device. Email is optional. Add one so we can return your student code, send reminders, and deliver a certificate. You can enroll and keep studying without it.

Confirm your email when convenient — you can keep studying.

The Curriculum

Orodha ya Kozi

Sixty-five courses, each complete, in English, Spanish, and French. Click any course to begin.

Start Here: The Seven Foundation Courses

Every student begins with these seven, in any order. The rest of the catalog opens once they are complete.

Utangulizi wa Agano la Kale
A guided overview of the Old Testament.
Utangulizi wa Agano Jipya
A guided overview of the New Testament.
Teolojia ya Kimfumo
The great doctrines of the faith.
Uinjilisti
Sharing the gospel with confidence.
Huduma za Kichungaji
The shepherd's work and calling.
Historia ya Kanisa
From the apostles to today.
Uhubiri
The heart and craft of biblical preaching.

All Courses by Subject

Open a group to see its courses.

Bible Survey & Books

19
Jinsi Tulivyoipata Biblia
How the Bible came down to us — and why we can trust it.
Anza →
Utangulizi wa Agano la Kale
A guided overview of the Old Testament.
Anza →
Utangulizi wa Agano Jipya
A guided overview of the New Testament.
Anza →
Torati (Vitabu Vitano vya Musa)
The first five books of Moses.
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Yoshua
Conquest, covenant, and faithfulness.
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Zaburi
Israel's songbook of worship and lament.
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Injili ya Yohana
The signs and the “I AM” of the Son of God.
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Mathayo — Somo la Kina
An in-depth, thirteen-unit study of the Gospel of Matthew — the King and His kingdom.
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Matendo ya Mitume — Somo la Kina
The Spirit and the mission of the early church.
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Waraka kwa Warumi
Paul's gospel of grace and righteousness.
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Maisha ya Kristo
The earthly ministry of Jesus.
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1 Petro — Somo la Kina
Hope and holiness for the suffering church.
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Wagalatia — Somo la Kina
Freedom in Christ and the gospel of grace.
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Ufunuo — Somo la Kina
A full study of the Apocalypse of John.
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Ruthu na Esta
Taught by Glenda Rogers.
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Mwanzo — Somo la Kina
The book of beginnings — creation, fall, covenant, and providence.
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Wahusika wa Biblia
Twelve lives across Scripture — faith, failure, and the grace of God.
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Wahusika wa Biblia II
Eleven more lives across Scripture — prophets, apostles, and the grace of God.
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Mifano ya Biblia
Earthly stories with heavenly meaning: the parables of the prophets and of Jesus, and how to preach them.
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Theology, Doctrine & Discipleship

10
Teolojia ya Kimfumo
The great doctrines of the faith.
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Roho Mtakatifu
The person and work of the Spirit.
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Upentekoste na Vuguvugu la Karismatiki
A fair, biblical study of the movement — its gifts, history, and distortions.
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Utetezi wa Imani (Apolojetiki)
Giving a reason for the hope within.
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Maadili ya Kikristo
Living wisely under God's Word.
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Hermeneutiki: Kufasiri Maandiko
Principles for interpreting Scripture.
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Ukristo wa Kujitoa Kikamilifu
The cost and the call of following Christ.
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Teolojia ya Vitendo
The disciplines of the Christian life.
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Madhehebu Potofu na Dini za Ulimwengu
Another gospel: testing the cults and world religions by Scripture, and witnessing to those in them.
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Dini za Ulimwengu
A twelve-unit survey of the world's major religions and folk traditions — understanding them accurately, comparing them fairly, and proclaiming Christ with both accuracy and love.
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Preaching & Evangelism

6
Uhubiri
The heart and craft of biblical preaching.
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Kuhubiri kwa Masimulizi
Preaching with story — the art of the story sermon.
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Kuhubiri Mafundisho
Preaching the great truths with clarity.
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Kuhubiri kwa Kiinjilisti
Preaching for decision and the appeal.
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Uinjilisti
Sharing the gospel with confidence.
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Misheni ya Ulimwengu
God's heart for the nations and the missionary task.
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Church & Pastoral Ministry

9
Huduma za Kichungaji
The shepherd's work and calling.
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Utawala na Uongozi wa Kanisa
Leading and ordering the local church.
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Ukuaji wa Kanisa
Principles for a healthy, growing church.
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Historia ya Kanisa
From the apostles to today.
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Ushauri wa Kibiblia
Biblical care for the soul.
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Mpango wa Huduma ya Mashemasi kwa Familia
Equipping deacons to care for the families of the church.
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Hali za Ushauri wa Kichungaji
Wisdom for real counseling cases.
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Ibada ya Kikristo
Worship in spirit and in truth.
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Elimu ya Kikristo
Teaching the faith to every generation.
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Biblical Languages

1
Kuthamini Lugha za Biblia
An introduction to biblical Hebrew & Greek.
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Denominational Electives

Twenty electives in four traditions, five courses in each.

Pentecostal–Charismatic Electives

5
Historia na Maendeleo ya Upentekoste
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kipentekoste na ya Karismatiki.
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Teolojia ya Kipentekoste na ya Karismatiki
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kipentekoste na ya Karismatiki.
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Roho Mtakatifu, Karama za Roho na Kupambanua
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kipentekoste na ya Karismatiki.
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Ibada, Uhubiri na Huduma ya Kipentekoste
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kipentekoste na ya Karismatiki.
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Uongozi wa Kichungaji na Misheni ya Ulimwengu ya Kipentekoste
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kipentekoste na ya Karismatiki.
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Baptist–Congregational Electives

5
Historia ya Wabaptisti na Maendeleo ya Dhehebu
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kibaptisti na ya Usharika.
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Teolojia ya Kibaptisti na Mafundisho Yake Bainifu
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kibaptisti na ya Usharika.
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Utawala wa Kanisa kwa Usharika na Mfumo wa Kibaptisti
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kibaptisti na ya Usharika.
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Ibada, Maagizo na Mahubiri ya Kibaptisti
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kibaptisti na ya Usharika.
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Huduma ya Kichungaji, Misheni na Uongozi wa Kanisa wa Kibaptisti
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kibaptisti na ya Usharika.
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Methodist–Wesleyan–Nazarene Electives

5
John Wesley na Historia ya Umethodisti
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kimethodisti, ya Kiwesley na ya Kinazarayo.
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Teolojia ya Kiwesley na Fundisho la Wokovu
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kimethodisti, ya Kiwesley na ya Kinazarayo.
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Utakatifu, Utakaso na Ukamilifu wa Kikristo
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kimethodisti, ya Kiwesley na ya Kinazarayo.
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Utawala, Ibada na Sakramenti za Kimethodisti na za Kinazarayo
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kimethodisti, ya Kiwesley na ya Kinazarayo.
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Huduma ya Kichungaji, Uinjilisti na Misheni ya Ulimwengu ya Kiwesley
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kimethodisti, ya Kiwesley na ya Kinazarayo.
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Reformed–Presbyterian Electives

5
Historia ya Matengenezo ya Kanisa na Makanisa ya Kireformed
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kireformed na ya Kipresbiteri.
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Teolojia ya Kireformed na Mafundisho ya Neema
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kireformed na ya Kipresbiteri.
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Teolojia ya Agano, Maandiko na Maungamo ya Kireformed
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kireformed na ya Kipresbiteri.
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Utawala, Ibada na Sakramenti za Kipresbiteri
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kireformed na ya Kipresbiteri.
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Huduma ya Kichungaji, Uhubiri na Misheni ya Kireformed
Kozi ya kuchagua ya muda, imeandikwa kutoka ndani ya mapokeo ya Kireformed na ya Kipresbiteri.
Anza →
Textbooks, Readings and Resources

Study Library

The textbook and required readings for each course, each with a link to its test, are listed in the Study Library, together with Reading With Honors and our free study resources.

Open the Study Library →Kusoma kwa HeshimaStudy Resources

Start a Study Group

Are you a pastor or church leader? Start a free CTS study group in your church or community. Members study together, and each one takes their own tests and earns their own certificate. If some members have no phone or email of their own, write to us and we will help.

Write to us about a group →
Getting Started

How to Proceed

  1. Start with the foundation, and register. Open the first lesson of any of the seven foundation courses. Enter your name and select your track (Certificate, Associate, Th.M., or M.Div.) — saved automatically and carried across every course. The rest of the catalog unlocks once the seven foundation courses are complete.
  2. Study each unit in order. Read the lesson in English, Spanish, or French — use the language toggle on each page to switch at any time.
  3. Complete the review. Each unit ends with a multiple-choice review. Associate, Th.M. and M.Div. students also answer ten fill-in-the-blank questions, and Th.M. and M.Div. students ten short answers as well. Pass every part your track includes, at 90%, to unlock the next unit.
  4. Learn it, and try again if you need to. Our examinations are designed to help you learn, not to trick you. Our goal is mastery of the material. If you do not reach the required score on your first attempt, review the lesson and try again — after a short wait, you may retake an examination as many times as you need. We care more about what you eventually learn than about how many attempts it takes.
  5. Earn the certificate. When every unit is passed, the course certificate unlocks. On the M.Div. and Th.M. tracks, a course with a textbook or required readings is complete when its test is passed as well; Certificate and Associate students are not held by it. Enter your name and print or save it as a PDF.
  6. Keep your student code. Your progress is saved under your student code. Write it down — entering it on any device or browser brings your work back, so you can continue where you left off.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chapala Theological Seminary completely free?

Yes. Every course at Chapala Theological Seminary (CTS) is 100% free, with no tuition, fees, or hidden costs, for pastors and lay leaders anywhere in the world.

Where can I study seminary online for free?

Chapala Theological Seminary (CTS) is a free online seminary offering 65 complete self-study courses in English, Spanish, and French, in Bible, theology, preaching, pastoral ministry, counseling, and missions, with Certificate, Th.M., M.Div., and Associate of Divinity tracks — unlike sites that publish free theological articles or lectures but are not structured as an actual academic program.

What free seminary courses does CTS offer?

CTS offers 65 self-study courses across six volumes, covering biblical studies, theology, church history, and practical ministry — available in English, Spanish, and French.

What credentials can I earn?

Students can pursue a Certificate of Ministry (12 courses), an Associate of Divinity (25 courses), a Master of Theology, Th.M. (15 courses), or a Master of Divinity, M.Div. (30 courses). Every student studies the same teaching content and begins with the same seven foundation courses. The programs differ in the work required in each unit: the Certificate takes the multiple-choice review; the Associate adds fill-in-the-blank questions; the Th.M. and M.Div. add written short answers and, in courses that have them, a textbook or required-readings test. The M.Div. also requires a specific 20-course core.

Is CTS accredited?

No. CTS is not accredited. Its Certificate, Associate, Th.M. and M.Div. recognize ministry study completed at CTS; they are not official academic degrees. CTS is currently pursuing formal recognition as an educational institution in Mexico. The seminary’s teaching faculty have themselves taught theology at an advanced level, and CTS was built to bring that same rigor to pastors and lay leaders who cannot access traditional, accredited institutions — particularly where cost, location, or language are barriers.

Who is CTS for?

CTS was built primarily for pastors and lay leaders who lack access to traditional seminary education — including many in Cuba and Mexico, among other places — but the courses are open to anyone, anywhere, who wants free, serious theological training in English, Spanish, or French.

What theological perspective does CTS teach from?

CTS teaches from a non-denominational evangelical perspective while presenting differing views (such as Calvinist vs. Arminian, differing understandings of perseverance and security, and the major millennial positions) fairly and even-handedly rather than requiring one denominational system.

Is CTS Baptist?

No. CTS is non-denominational and is not affiliated with or presented as a Baptist institution.

In what languages is CTS available?

CTS teaches in English (NKJV), Spanish (RVG), and French (Louis Segond 1910).

Contact

Contact Us

If a certificate isn’t working, you run into any other problem, or you simply want to send a comment, we would be glad to hear from you. Write to us at info@chapalaseminary.org.