Resource Links for DTS Grads

How to connect to grad resources

DTS grads should use the links on this page to connect to databases. Do not use the links on student resource pages because they are authenticated differently and the software will block you if you attempt to connect through those student links.

We have tried to select databases that link to free online resources. But some of the following databases also link to online resources that are restricted by paywalls. Some also list old fashioned print books and journals. Read about how to obtain books and articles.

Key Resources

• Atlas Serials Religion Collection is a subset of the larger Atla database you used as a DTS student. Everything in this subset is available full-text online. Use your @dallasseminary.edu ID, and the password you created. (If you have a problem, contact helpdesk@dts.edu.) Atlas provides access to articles and book reviews from many major theological journals. It includes literature on Bible, theology, church history, pastoral ministries, world missions, and religion in general. Atlas focuses on scholarly theological literature but includes a sampling of non-scholarly publications about popular Christian culture and church life. Over 200,000 full-text articles are available online, plus about as many book reviews. This includes material from Bib Sac, JBL, JETS and hundreds of other journals.
  When you click the Atla link, you will be asked to login using your @dallasseminary.edu ID and the password you created. If you have a problem, contact helpdesk@dts.edu. You can read about it at https://alumni.dts.edu/announcements/new-alumni-login-information/
• DTS on WorldCat is a key resource for almost any topic. By default, it will list most of what DTS Libraries offers (books and articles, print and online). Access to much content is restricted to current faculty and students. However, if you pick the "Open Access" filter in the left column, it will list online resources that anyone can use without a login. It is a surprisingly large assortment of resources. Give it a try. But see OADTL below.
• Open Access Digital Theological Library on WorldCat is a good resource for the general public. It links to thousands of books and millions(!!) of articles. Focus is religion, but articles include a lot of non-theological content. Everything listed is available free online. Compare OADTL to Atlas. OADTL is bigger than Atlas, but many of the most important journals in Atlas are not in OADTL. Compare OADTL to the DTS Libraries catalog (above). Both are based on Worldcat. DTS is bigger. Nearly 100% of the items in OADTL are also in the DTS version of WorldCat (listed above). But OADTL is more convenient for grads because it is limited to items that are available free online.
• Search Seminary Bookshelf to see what's included. Subscribe to download content. Yes, there is a monthly/annual fee to download.
  Coverage. As of Dec 2023, the Seminary Bookshelf describes itself as follows. "The Seminary Bookshelf is a comprehensive research library in religious studies. It is designed to provide religious professionals with a research library to support their personal growth and professional development. A unique resource, it provides members with access to a world-class research library in religious studies of over 1,300,000 eBooks (over 850,000 eBooks from the last 25 years, over 400,000 eBooks from the last 10 years, and over 125,000 eBooks from the last 5 years)." It also includes a significant number of journal articles. But SB is lacking in many key works such as bible commentaries. So the size is misleading.
  Eligibility and Cost. "Religious professionals" such as clergy, pastors, and chaplains, are eligible to subscribe to SB for a small monthly fee ($10/month as of Dec 2023). However, institutions, students in college or seminary, and faculty at any educational institution may not subscribe to SB. (That's because the publishers sell subscriptions to institutions at much higher rates.) Further, subscription to SB is limited to individuals who live in North America. If you live outside North America, read about the Global DTL.
• Most DTS grads have a personal library of books, including ebooks in a Logos bible study software collection. A personal library of well-chosen commentaries and bible study tools could (and should) include all the main resources the typical grad would to use on a weekly basis. Atla is probably the only supplement the typical DTS grad needs. And that is available to DTS grads at no cost. Open Access Digital Theological Library is also free. Seminary Bookshelf is an excellent choice for a grad engaged in writing. But it requires a subscription fee.

Additional Databases

• PubMed provides very full international coverage of scholarly literature in the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and health care systems, 1950 to date. This includes extensive coverage of psychiatry, and significant but limited coverage of clinical psychology and practitioner counseling literature. It includes links to full-text articles for many journals.
• ERIC cites and abstracts about 2 million items in the field of [secular] education, which include journal articles, ERIC documents, books, reports, etc. Covers all educational levels. Does not cover religious education per se. 1966 to the present. Utilizes ERIC thesaurus for subject headings. ERIC includes much full text and links many citations to the articles on publishers" web sites.
• Index Theologicus is primarily a citation database, but it does include links to some open access full-text articles. IxTheo lists books, articles and book reviews on theology and religious studies broadly, mostly from 1980 to date. It is smaller than Atla, although it does cite European literature, especially German, not in Atla. There is a lot of inconsistency in the metadata. For example, names may be written with the first name last or first, and with or without dates. But quality is improving. And there a several specialized interfaces to IxTheo that provide enriched metadata and refined access. The new-item interface lists very, very recent content. Index Biblicus supports searching by bible passage (e.g., John 3:16). That is not available in the general interface.

Free online Bible study tools

Free bible software is available everywhere. First there is software for bible reading. The YouVersion app for smartphones is very popular and good way to encourage daily bible reading. There are innumerable apps and websites that provide access to many different translations in many different languages. Then there is sofware for bible study. Most DTS grads purchase Logos or Accordance or similar software for heavy duty bible study. But sometimes grads want to point people to free online bible study tools that display and search in Greek and Hebrew. Here are some possibilities.

Back to top

Gateways to good web sites

• Religious Studies Web Guide. Excellent annotated guide to library and Internet resources. Focuses on free (open-access) internet resources ( bibliographies/indexes, library and archive catalogues, dictionaries/encyclopedias, e-texts and journals) supporting the academic study of religion.
• Websites on Religion provides links to religious and especially Christian Internet resources. Aims to serve needs of clergy and seminary faculty and students. This new-ish site is not yet mature.

Back to top

Free Online Resources
Through Your Local Library

Many states provide free online databases to state residents. Typically you must register with your local public library to gain access. If your state is not listed here check with your local public library or state libraries to see what is available.

Back to top