I’m currently working on a Master of Divinity degree, below I’ve listed a few of the resources I’ve found helpful in my studies. Nothing below is an affiliate link or ad/sponsor, these are genuine recommendations. However, your mileage may vary. Also, be aware that I may update this page occasionally so it may change over time.
First off though I want to point out that some of these resources cost money, which I realize isn’t always easy to find when doing school. So please keep in mind that these are resources that I have found helpful, you may not, and none of them are essential to complete a degree. Don’t feel pressured to do what I’ve done or use the resources I’ve used. Everyone’s course is different, and that’s a wonderful thing from God. But if you have the ability and desire to use or borrow these resources, hopefully they will be helpful.
John Newton’s Letter to a Student of Divinity
I recently typed up this letter from John Newton (the author of the hymn Amazing Grace). I providentially stumbled across it at the beginning of my Seminary journey and have found it very helpful, centering, and encouraging, maybe you will too: https://quietresolve.net/2026/09/18/john-newtons-letter-to-a-seminary-student/
This quote from the letter was especially helpful to me recently: “I have long since learnt, that if I was ever to be a minister, faith and prayer must make me one.”
Dictionaries
Many terms and concepts go by in textbooks and lectures that I have either never heard or don’t have a solid grasp on. Further, some terms may be defined in class but not in a way that I can understand at first. So dictionaries have been very helpful to me. Particular to seminary the following are very helpful:
- IVP Pocket Reference Series: https://www.ivpress.com/the-ivp-pocket-reference-series
- The Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms is generally useful, if you only get one I would recommend this one. However, if there is a dictionary that is specific to the class I’m taking I’ve found those helpful as well.
- Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms by Richard A. Muller
- For English dictionaries I’ve found the Webster’s New World College Dictionary to provide the best selection of words defined and the most useful definitions. The American Heritage Dictionary or the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary are good second choices. Personally, I don’t find the definitions of the Oxford dictionary very useful or clear.
- If you want an English dictionary in app form the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary has a great app.
Mentoring/Counseling
All degree programs are challenging in many different and personal ways. A Seminary degree is challenging particularly because it deals directly with worldview, moral, and spiritual issues. I personally think that all Seminaries should have some form of student support built into the degree program. Really this would be helpful for any degree program at any college.
Regardless, if your school doesn’t provide this kind of help, or you need additional help, I would highly recommend finding someone who is your senior (further along in school, in the area of ministry you are pursuing, or maybe someone older/wiser at your local church) to mentor you through challenges. Of course supportive friends and family are also a help.
If you find that you need more help, you might consider finding a good Biblical, or at least Christian, counselor to help you out as needed. Having a Biblical counselor has helped me tremendously in not feeling so spiritually isolated while doing an online Seminary degree, and with helping me sort through some of the personal challenges that the coursework may bring up. If you don’t know of any Biblical or Christian counselors in your area, your church/pastor should be able to recommend some.
Research and Writing resources
Some links to free resources that may be helpful:
- Zotero Bib for generating & formatting citations: https://zbib.org/
- Net Bible with translation notes: https://netbible.org
- Ligonier top 5 recommended commentaries on every book of the Bible: https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/top-5-commentaries
- Turabian Formatting Tip Sheets (also see below): https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/turabian/Student-Tip-Sheets.html
I have found that having a paper copy of the citation guide that my school follows is actually quite helpful. For instance, there are all kinds of abbreviations that are used in academic writing that I wouldn’t have understood if I didn’t have this guide (vv for ‘verses’, ff after a Bible reference for ‘and following’, Lv for ‘Leviticus’). My school uses Turabian citations, so the Turabian A Manual for Writers is the guide I use. Of course use the guide that your school uses, which you may be able to find online.
General Advice
Maintain a regular time with God — While much of Seminary coursework is helpful and formative, not all of it is. Greek grammar for instance doesn’t really in itself provide spiritual benefit, though once you know Greek there are benefits in being able to understand and apply Scripture more accurately. Further, the distanciation that is necessary for much of the academic research can tend to “dry out” the value of what is being studied in terms of application and personal growth. So to combat this, make sure to maintain regular time with God, even if it’s just 5 minutes a day. In my opinion quiet time doesn’t need to be a big production. Mine is usually just reading a little Scripture (a paragraph to a chapter), mentally reflecting on it, and then praying about that and anything else that comes to mind (roughly 5-15 minutes). Of course if you have time for more, and it’s helpful, go for it.
I hope some of this is helpful. If you’d like to point me in the direction of other helpful resources, feel free to send me an email (see the website footer).