RTS offers free
content on iTunes
The Layman, February 9, 2010
Wanting to gain a deeper understanding of Christian theology, but not quite ready to enter the seminary? Through Reformed Theological Seminary’s “Virtual Course” offerings available on the iTunes Website, anyone with an Internet connection can access free seminars, lectures and other content historically available only to enrolled students.
Through RTS’s iTunes U program, anyone with an Internet connection can download lectures, seminars and other resources historically available only to students.
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Among RTS’s offerings through “iTunes U” are 25 full courses and chapel messages from three of its campuses. The “Seminars and Lectures” section covers a variety of subjects, including several seminars on John Calvin. The current “Featured Content” section has lectures by Dr. Richard Belcher on interpreting Ecclesiastes, an examination of Judges through Esther and the literature of the Old Testament.
According to iTunes, the most popular downloaded item from RTS is Dr. John M. Frame’s “History of Philosophy and Christian Thought – General Observations” lecture. Other popular downloads include lectures by Dr. Frank A. James III, Dr. Knox Chamblin and Dr. Douglas F. Kelly.
RTS, through its virtual campus, began offering content on iTunes in 2006 then expanded to having lectures from every virtual course freely available. In 2008, RTS celebrated its one-millionth download and a year later surpassed 3 million.
“We are constantly reminded of the goodness and grace of God in opening the doors that allowed us to participate in the iTunes U program and in continuing to bless our efforts in trying to get solid, Biblical and theological training materials into the far reaches of the globe,” an RTS statement on iTunes says. “We receive many e-mails telling us how RTS on iTunes U materials are being used and how they are blessing Christians (and non-Christians!) all over the world.”
iTunes U, hosted by Apple Inc., is an initiative to provide free content from colleges, universities and graduate schools. RTS bills its presence on iTunes U as an opportunity to help Christians better “understand God and His works more fully, grow in their sanctification and take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every tribe, tongue and nation.”
Content can be played on computers with iTunes software and some compatible media hardware, or on Apple hardware such as the iPod or iPhone. The iTunes software can be downloaded for free.