Introduction to Online Theological Reference Resources
The ORU Library has thousands of resources that support our theological degrees. While we cannot provide all of our resources in electronic form, this guide provides a selection of some of our best theological reference sources that can help you with your research.
Theological research usually begins with getting definitions of words, theological concepts, or information on individuals you want to study. This is done through reference works such as academic dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks. From there, you can pursue more focused studies in books and journal articles about your topic. This guide will help you with suggestions of scholarly reference materials available to online learners.
If you need more help, you can email us at librarian@oru.edu or use the chat button to chat with a librarian.
This guide a great source for the Seminar in Theological Research students.
Theological Dictionaries
A theological dictionary is designed to give you definitions of theological concepts found in the Bible and/or theological works. For example, "sovereignty" is a concept in theology, even though the word is not used often in the Bible. Same is true for "Trinity." These give you some basic understandings of how the word or concept is used in theological circles.
If you want to find more options, simply expand the box "Books, Ebooks, and Media" on the home page and in the search box type "theological dictionary". On the results page, change the dropdown from View Entire Collection to Ebooks and click on Search.
- The Cambridge Dictionary of Christian Theology byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780521880923Publication Date: 2011
- Encyclopedia of Christian Theology byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9781579582500Publication Date: 2004
- Evangelical Dictionary of Theology byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780801039461Publication Date: 2017
- New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis Set byCall Number: EbookISBN: 0310276195Publication Date: 2014
- The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Theology byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780199858699Publication Date: 2015
- Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780830814497Publication Date: 1999
- The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, Second Edition byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780664259761Publication Date: 2014
Bible Dictionaries & Word Study Resources
Word studies look at the definitions and uses of words in the Biblical text. Most in-depth word studies require knowledge of Greek and Hebrew in order to use a lexicon. However, a Bible dictionary also discusses how words are used and the background meanings of words.
If you want to find more options, simply expand the box "Books, Ebooks, and Media" on the home page and in the search box type "Bible dictionary". On the results page, change the dropdown from View Entire Collection to Ebooks and click on Search.
- Bible Hub Online Interliner BibleIf you need help knowing what Greek word is used in a Bible verse, you can begin here. From there, you may be able to look up words in a Lexicon.
- The Anchor Bible Dictionary byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780385193511Publication Date: 1998
- Collins Greek-English DictionaryCall Number: EbookISBN: 978000722427Publication Date: 2011
- A Concordance to the Greek Testament byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780567010216Publication Date: 1978
- Dictionary of Paul and His Letters byCall Number: EbookPublication Date: 1993IVP Bible Dictionary series
Print copy available in Reference collection: BS2650.2.D53 1993 - Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780830817818Publication Date: 2002IVP Bible Dictionary series
Also available in print: BS1225.52.D53 2003 Reference - The Essential Bible Dictionary byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780310278214Publication Date: 2011
- The Macmillan Dictionary of the Bible byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780333648056Publication Date: 2003
- Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780310859703Publication Date: 2009
- New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis Set byCall Number: EbookISBN: 0310276195Publication Date: 2014
- The New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780687333462Publication Date: 2009
- The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Bible and Theology byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780199858699Publication Date: 2015
- Ultimate Bible Dictionary byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9781535934718Publication Date: 2019
Handbooks on Theology & Other Topics
Handbooks provides scholarly level information on a variety of topics, very much like a theological dictionary. This could include theological topics, related perspectives on issues, or individuals in history. The Oxford Handbook Series provides a large variety of handbooks on many different disciplines in theology. For example, topics range from scripture and hermeneutics to faith and reason, creation, Jesus Christ, Israel and salvation, eschatology, worship, and politics.
If you want to find more options, simply expand the box "Books, Ebooks, and Media" on the home page and in the search box type "handbook and theology". On the results page, change the dropdown from View Entire Collection to Ebooks and click on Search.
- The Cambridge Companion to Pentecostalism byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780521188388Publication Date: 2014
- The Oxford Handbook of Evangelical Theology byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780195369441Publication Date: 2010
- The Oxford Handbook of the Bible and American Popular Culture byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780190461416Publication Date: 2020
- The Oxford Handbook of Systematic Theology byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9780199245765Publication Date: 2007
- The Routledge Handbook of Pentecostal Theology byCall Number: EbookISBN: 9781138580893Publication Date: 2020