Reference books can provide background material and be a launching point for further research. The following titles are great starting points, but you can find many more in the library catalog advanced search with the Location limited to Reference. You can also search for e-reference items using our Gale Virtual Reference Library or Credo Reference.
Encyclopedia of Christian Theology by 
The New Interpreter's Bible by The Library Catalog is the gateway to finding books. Search the catalog for books about Christian ethics, Bible commentaries, or Hinduism. More instructions on how to find a book are at this link.
​Blumberg Memorial Library arranges materials by the Library of Congress Classification System. Books on theology generally fall into the following call numbers:
|
Christianity |
BR |
|
The Bible |
BS |
|
Doctrinal Theology |
BT |
|
Practical Theology |
BV |
Databases allow you to find scholarly articles. To see all of TLU's databases, visit the library's list of databases by Subject or by Title.
Here are a few key databases for theology:
Provides full text for nearly 3,200 scholarly publications covering academic areas of study including social sciences, humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, language and linguistics, arts & literature, medical sciences, and ethnic studies.
ATLA religion database with ATLASerials is a collection of major religious and theology journals selected by religion scholars in the United States. Full text journals representing all major religious faiths, denominations and language groups are included. Coverage dates back to 1949.
If you are using an off-campus computer, you will be prompted for your last name (Not your network username but last name only) and your 8-digit TLU ID number.
For some databases, instead of being asked for your instead of your last name and ID number, you will be asked for your normal TLU network username and password (Microsoft 365 Single Sign-On).
Need an item that our library doesn't own? No worries, you can email the title, author and date of what you need to ill@tlu.edu or fill out a form. We can get most (but not all) articles within 2 days and many books within 4-8 days.
For more information, visit our interlibrary loan page.
To see if a journal or magazine is available, either online or in print, look in the Publications by Title list.
Librarians offer in-depth research help.
During library open hours, ask at the main desk for help finding what you need. The desk is usually staffed by student workers - if you have in-depth research questions, just let them know that you want to meet with a librarian.
Click on the Ask a Question tab on the right side of a library web page. It will bring you either to live chat, or to a place where you can leave a message.
830-372-8100 (main desk)
Library directory (list of individual library staff and faculty)
