Core Theological Beliefs
1. The Word of God. We believe that the Bible is the word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and that it has supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct (John 17:17; Rom 15:4; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:19-21).
2. The Trinity. We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three components‒ Father, Son, Holy Spirit‒ that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence and redemption (Matt 28: 19; John 1:1-4; 1 John 5:7).
3. God the Father. We believe in God the Father: an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He draws men unto Himself, concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17; 4:24, 17:5).
4. Jesus Christ. We believe in Jesus Christ, Gods only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, teachings, miracles, healings and deliverances. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth ( Isa 7:14; John 1:14; Phil, 2:5-11; Heb 1:2,3; 1 John 1:7).
5. Regeneration. We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are, therefore, under condemnation. We believe that those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit (John 1:12-13, 3:3, 16-17; Acts 20:21; Eph 2:1-9; Titus 3:5).
6. The Spirit of God. We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin; and regenerates, indwells, sanctifies, and empowers all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit is an abiding helper, teacher and guide; and that through Him, we are able to receive edification, exhortation and comfort and minister them to others through spiritual gifts (John 14:26; 16:7-15; Rom 8:14-17; Eph 1:13-14; 1 Cor 14:3).
7. Believer Autonomy. We believe that every human is designed for direct relationship and communion with God, and is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith, since Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father as our sole high priest. We believe that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and that we are to live in grace, truth and love as governed by the Spirit of God (Heb 4:14-16; Matt 5:17-20; John 13:34; 1 Peter 1:22;
8. Christian Conduct. We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellowmen; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of spiritual maturity and purpose in Christ (2 Cor. 9:6-8; Eph 4:11-16; Phil 2:14-16; Col 3:17-23; 1 Thes 5:17-18).
9. Religious Liberty. We believe that each Church is independent and must be free from interference by an ecclesiastical or political authority as intended by our Creator. We believe that the American Bill of Rights has provided complete religious liberty for US citizens; and regardless of what national authority one is under, the Spirit of God has called us to boldness in speaking into our society in every realm.
10. The Church. We believe that all regenerated persons are members of the body of Christ of which Jesus is the head; and that the calling of believers is to connect with local fellowships for the teaching of spiritual truth, the building up of the faith, the giving and receiving of ministry, the testimony of integrity and love, and the bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world (Heb 10:24-25; Matt 16:16-18; Eph 2:19-22; 1 Cor 14:3; Matt 28: 18-20).
11. The Last Things. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal joy of the righteous, and the endless suffering of those who have chosen to reject Christ. We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of his kingdom (John 5: 28-29; Rev. 20: 1-15; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb 11:6; Matt. 25: 31-46).
12. Christian Unity. We believe in the power of love and unity in the body of Christ as a testimony to the unsaved world; and that it’s not God’s intention for the church to be divided or hostile over differing opinions on non-essential spiritual matters or cultural differences (John 17:21; John 5:28-29; Rev 20:1-15; 2 Cor 5:10; Matt 25:31-46).
Seminary Distinctives
Affordable. There are gifted men and women of God across the globe who feel called to deeper ministry but cannot access formal preparation because tuition costs eclipse their personal or regional economy. Sword & Spirit exists to remove that barrier. By delivering courses online, streamlining non-essential add-ons, negotiating textbook licensing, and operating as a 501(c)(3) U.S. federal nonprofit, we keep tuition at the lowest sustainable rate. A full MDiv from us typically costs 64 %–85 % less than comparable accredited programs, yet the instruction comes from the same caliber of scholars featured in premier seminaries. While we forego some premium “extras,” every course retains the academic rigor, biblical fidelity, and ministry relevance students need—making the program a rare combination of affordability and genuine value.
Balanced & Respectful. At Sword & Spirit, we refuse to tip the scales toward mere academics or unchecked experience; we value the Word and the Spirit in equal measure. Core doctrines—such as the authority of Scripture, the divinity of Christ, and salvation by grace—remain immovable. Yet on secondary issues we present several credible voices, inviting students to examine topics like eschatology, Cessationism vs Continuationism, Dispensationalism, the Calvinism/Arminianism question, and spiritual callings from multiple angles. Our team is racially diverse, and our 40 + curriculum authors represent evangelical, charismatic, traditional, and orthodox institutions, offering a library of viewpoints seldom gathered in one place. You are encouraged to weigh evidence prayerfully, discuss respectfully, and emerge with convictions tested rather than inherited—cultivating the kind of theological maturity today’s church desperately needs.
Intentional & Flexible. Every course in the catalog has been prayerfully selected for direct, practical impact—not simply to fill credit hours. We concentrate on areas veteran pastors and missionaries say are most lacking in new leaders: comparative religion, apologetics, evangelism strategy, exegesis, expository preaching, historical theology, deliverance counseling, and prophetic ministry. Specialty offerings—like Deliverance Counseling Foundations & Practice, Theological Roots of the U.S. Constitution, and a complimentary Introduction to Eschatology—equip you to speak into the cultural, political, and spiritual crises of our era. Together these subjects form a cohesive, purpose‑built curriculum aimed at strengthening churches, advancing missions, and preparing graduates for real‑world ministry the moment they step off the virtual stage with diploma in hand. You’ll also enjoy flexibility in your academic journey—with elective options and course selections that align with your calling, interests, and ministry goals.
Doable. Rigorous study should stretch you, not break you. To that end, each course carries one of the 5 clear difficulty designations, and chapter study-guides that preview exam content— eliminating blind‑spot surprises and lowering test anxiety. Students without a bachelor’s degree can still pursue graduate work through our four‑course Bridge track, proving mastery of foundational skills before stepping into the MDiv or DMin. As a bonus, up to 20 credit-hours is allowed for M/Div Credit for Unaccredited Verified Ministry Courses & Pastoral Experience! Busy bivocational pastors, missionaries in remote fields, and parents balancing homeschool duties have all completed programs here by pacing themselves wisely. In short, the framework is robust enough to challenge scholars yet flexible enough to let ordinary believers cross the finish line with confidence.
Excellent Content. Accreditation and quality is never sacrificed on the altar of affordability. Our core textbooks and video lectures come from acclaimed theologians, biblical scholars, and ministry practitioners drawn from more than fifty respected seminaries and universities worldwide. Authors include best‑selling apologists, pioneering church historians, veteran missionaries, seasoned pastors, and gifted professors who have shaped Christian thought for decades. Their collective expertise ensures academic depth, doctrinal soundness, and ministry relevance in every lesson. Even though we forego flashier (and pricier) tech add‑ons, we channel resources directly into acquiring top‑tier scholarship—so your learning is anchored in excellence over expediencey.
Self‑Paced. Time is one of the rarest commodities in modern life, and rigid academic calendars can turn a calling into an impossibility. That’s why Sword & Spirit operates without semesters, schedule-based groups, paced cohorts, fixed schedules, or hard deadlines. You can enroll on Monday, start when your textbook arrives, pause for a mission trip, and resume the day you return—never losing credit or paying extra fees. Early‑morning commuters stream lectures on the subway; overseas missionaries download materials in off‑grid regions; night‑shift workers tackle assignments at 2 a.m. Because the classroom is open 24/7/365—you alone set the rhythm: accelerate through lighter seasons, slow down when responsibilities rise, and graduate on the timeline God designs for you rather than one imposed by an academic registrar.