Christian University GlobalNet
Our Daily Bread University (ODBU), formerly Christian University GlobalNet, is an online learning platform offering a collection of courses provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It provides online resources for learners of all levels[1] in topics such as Bible, Theology, Leadership, Christian Apologetics and more. Its courses are also offered on a Premium site, which provides reflection questions, tests, and a Certificate of Completion for each completed course[2]. Lessons for most courses are available for students to watch (video), listen (audio), or read as a downloadable PDF transcript. Today over 75,000 people from over 150 countries visit the site each month and engage in online learning about the Bible, Theology, and the Christian faith and life.
ODBU partners with other organizations such as the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) in fulfilling Chrisitan Philosophy of Education and other Continuing Education requirements[3], [4] and NewWay Ministries[5].
History
1994
Efforts begin with research and testing of digital delivery methods, including CD-ROM.
1995—1998
Development of the first digital product, a multimedia Guided Tour of the Bible in 180 lessons on CD-ROM. The effort expands to other digital products.
1998—2002
Christian University GlobalNet (CUGN) is formed and later merges with RBC Ministries (now Our Daily Bread Ministries).
2002—2008
Under the umbrella of Our Daily Bread Ministries, the course database expands to over 70 courses with emphasis on the non-formal learner.
2008
Christian University GlobalNet acquires The Institute of Theological Studies (ITS), including a database of over 70 graduate-level courses from some of the world’s leading scholars.
2008—2017
Multiple Certificate Programs are offered on the website. The ministry continues to grow with over 25,000 new students per year. The course database grows to over 200 courses. The courses are hosted on a new domain name, www.ChristianUniversity.org.
2018 to Present
The ministry expands its reach under the name Our Daily Bread University by adding additional courses from global leaders, translation of the core curriculum into multiple languages, and through partnering with on-site education and training centers.[6]
Courses and Instructors
As of June 2020, the organization offers the following categories and numbers of courses:
As of June 2020, the following scholars have authored courses:
- Pete Alwinson, DMin
- Vincent Bacote, PhD
- Hans F. Bayer, PhD
- John Beck, PhD
- Craig L. Blomberg, PhD
- Steve Brown, LittD
- Sid Buzzell, PhD
- Constantine R. Campbell, PhD
- Henry Cloud, PhD
- Rodney Cox, PhD
- Larry J. Crabb, PhD
- Andrew Davis, PhD
- Martin Deacon
- Dan Doriani, PhD
- David Frees, ThM
- Matt Friedeman, PhD
- Paul Gardner, PhD
- Benjamin Gladd, PhD
- Rev. Michael J. Glodo
- Robert Harp, DMin
- D. A. Horton
- Reggie M. Kidd, PhD
- Alice Mathews, PhD
- Vincent Mathews, Jr., ThD
- Deb McCormick
- Richard L. Pratt, Jr., ThD
- Richard Ramesh, PhD
- Scott Redd, PhD
- Elisabeth Selzer, PhD
- Aaron Smith, PhD
- Douglas K. Stuart, PhD
- Seth Tarrer, PhD
- John Townsend, PhD
- John Trent, PhD
- Linda Triemstra Cook
- Stephen Um, PhD
- Simon Vibert, DMin
- Bruce Wilkinson, DD
- Thurman Williams, DMin
- John Worgul, PhD
- Mark Young, PhD[9]
Legacy Lecture Library Professors (authors of courses from Our Daily Bread University’s Legacy Lecture Library):
- Richard E. Averbeck, PhD
- Wendell K. Babcock, PhD
- Darrell L. Bock, PhD
- J. Oliver Buswell Jr., PhD, DD
- Samuel Canine, PhD
- Scott T. Carroll, PhD
- Patrick O. Cate, PhD
- Jonathan Chao, PhD
- Harvie M. Conn, LittD
- John J. Davis, ThD, DD
- C. Fred Dickason, ThD
- John S. Feinberg, PhD
- John M. Frame, DD
- Abraham Friesen, PhD
- Richard C. Gamble, ThD
- Kenneth O. Gangel, PhD
- John H. Gerstner, PhD, DD
- W. Robert Godfrey, PhD
- Louis Goldberg, ThD
- Michael P. Green, PhD
- Roger S. Greenway, ThD
- James M. Grier, ThD
- John D. Hannah, PhD, ThD
- R. Laird Harris, PhD
- Harold W. Hoehner, PhD, ThD
- H. Phillip Hook, ThD
- Terry C. Hulbert, ThD
- Dennis E. Johnson, PhD
- Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., PhD
- J. Herbert Kane, LHD
- Robert A. Kolb, PhD
- Stuart E. Lease, DD
- Gordon Lewis, PhD
- John R. Lillis, PhD
- Harold L. Longenecker, DD
- Lucy Mabery-Foster, PhD
- Victor M. Matthews, STD
- William D. Mounce, PhD
- Kenneth B. Mulholland, DTheo
- Roger R. Nicole, PhD, ThD
- Lubbertus Oostendorp, ThD
- Richard O. Rigsby, PhD, ThD
- Haddon W. Robinson, PhD
- Garth M. Rosell, PhD
- Allen P. Ross, PhD
- Gordon T. Smith, PhD
- Glenn Smith, DMin
- Wilbur M. Smith, DD
- John R. W. Stott, DD
- Lehman Strauss, LittD
- William D. Taylor, PhD
- Tite Tiénou, PhD
- Peter Toon, DPhil
- Bruce K. Waltke, PhD
- John C. Whitcomb, ThD
- Leon J. Wood, PhD[10]
Languages
While all courses are available in English, the organization also provides a number of its courses in Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic.[11]
Affiliates/Course Content Providers
- Our Daily Bread Ministries
- Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
- Third Millennium Ministries
- Denver Seminary
- Urban Youth Workers Institute
- NewWay Ministries
- MOPS International (Mothers of Preschoolers)
- Compass: Finances God's Way
- Teach Every Nation
References
- “Who We Are.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- “Subscription Options.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- "Options for Completing the Christian Philosophy of Education." Association of Christian Schools International. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
- "How to Earn Bible CEUs." Association of Christian Schools International. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
- "Requirements for the Certificate in Spiritual Direction." NewWay Ministries. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
- “ODBU Brochure.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- “Courses by Topic.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- “Legacy Lecture Library.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- “Meet Our Professors.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- “Meet Our Legacy Professors.” Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.
- "Language Options." Our Daily Bread University. Retrieved 2020-06-03.