Establishing the Boundaries of a Passage

A quick look at Logos'  Tools|Passage Analysis, Compare Pericopes shows us where a number of translators saw the boundaries of a passage. Note how this screen shot demonstrates that we should not too readily assume that 1 Peter 2:9-12 are a unit.

Compare this with how the results for 1 Peter 4 point to a boundary between verses 11 and 12.

Yes! Yes! Yes! BIG News

Source: Logos (probably originally Zondervan)

I know, most of you probably couldn't care less. But to me, this is just about the biggest news that could have happened - as far as Bible study, pastoral service, etc. is concerned. Zondervan has been one of - if not the - hottest publisher in Christian resources recently. One of their highly acclaimed resources is the NIV Application Commentary. They also publish all the Purpose-Driven materials, as far as I know. Until recently, they used their own software, making all their great resources unavailable to Logos users. But as of Monday last week, Zondervan is going to publish resources in Logos format. That's just plain about the best news on the Bible software front that I could have had. Some of the resources I'm looking forward to:

Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: New Testament
NIV Application Commentary: New Testament
Africa Bible Commentary

There are OT counterparts, too, and plenty of other great stuff - and it'll only get more.

In His Law He Meditates Day and Night

How do we go about "meditating in His law day and night" (Psalm 1:2)? Well, there's a new tool out there that may help. Logos has put up six twitter feeds, where you can have scripture sent to you on various schedules. Sounds interesting - if you use twitter, that is.

Bible Study Magazine Review

Bible Study Magazine (BSM) is a bimonthly magazine published by Logos, the producer of the predominant bible software in the U.S. The issue I am reviewing is the inaugural issue (Nov. / Dec. 2008).

As a minister, I care deeply about bible study. As a dedicated Logos user, I love the idea of a magazine that approaches Bible study with the tools in mind that I use. At about 40 pages of content, the magazine deals with subjects that I would break into three categories:

1. Inspirational & General Audience topics, such as “Facing Today with the Book of Hebrews,” and “Choosing a Bible Translation.”
2. “Text” topics, such as, the significance of the Qumran scrolls, or comparisons of archeological finds to the Bible text, or “Who Took Verse 4 Out of My Bible?”
3. “Getting the Most out of Logos” topics, such as “Using Bible Dictionaries,” and “Discovering the Power of Luke’s Gospel.”

For my purposes, I am particularly interested in the latter two, since I have ready access to plenty of the first category. Unfortunately for me, there was a fairly substantial portion of this type included.

I enjoyed the Text topics. The discovery in Isaiah 53:11 eloquently demonstrated the value of archeological finds, and the two accounts of Sennacherib’s attack on Jerusalem provided valuable perspective. This is the type of material that I could always read more of, though I’d want to be sure that BSM is more than just a facsimile of Biblical Archeology Review. “Who Took Verse 4 Out of My Bible?” may be the type of article that skillfully avoids that danger.

I would have liked an expansion of the “Logos” category, though too much of it may put the magazine name into question. Specifically, I’d like the steps of an article like “Using Bible Dictionaries” enriched with more depth, and a greater focus on resources that are part of common libraries. In my estimation, a magazine from Logos is going to be read primarily by Logos users. I’d enjoy a clear sense of which resources would be the best addition to my current library – not just Marketing talk (not that there was in this issue), but a demonstration that shows the power of a resource. In addition, there is value locked in the resources I already own, and I’d like to leverage that. I certainly hope that BSM never becomes a magazine that merely tries to upsell people.

In that sense, “Discovering the Power of Luke’s Gospel” is probably my favorite article in this issue (even though it made me put the BDAG on my shopping list).

To round up the review a little, let me add that the production quality and design of BSM is very nice. I’ve felt yucky paper before, and BSM is definitely an enjoyable experience.

So, am I sold? On the one hand, there’s much to like. On the other hand, I feel there’s a degree of lack of focus (remember, though, that I have only seen one issue!). I’m not the kind of guy who needs more interesting reading. To make my list, it’s got to be something I really, really want to read. At the current stage, there may not be enough of that type in BSM, though I’ll admit I’m still on the fence.

Note: Logos currently is running a promotion - you could win a free subscription!

God's Word in Different Media

As I was reading my Bible, a random thought struck me. I was using Logos, and the text was nice and large, and scrolls forever to the top and bottom. I realized that I had no sense of how much space the portion I read would take up in a "normal" Bible, and I thought how that would be very upsetting to some people. Making the transition from print to digital makes Bible reading just not the same thing! Turns out that the "normal" Bible we are used to is obviously quite far from the original scriptures. They had no chapter or other headings, bold print or italics, not even chapters or verses, for the most parts no book titles like we have today, and most importantly, they came on scrolls. So all of you paper-lovers: those of us who like to read their Bible on the computer aren't really any further from the original way than y'all!

So, there.

Amplified Bible for Logos (new), 50% off until July 31st

Logos Bible Study Software now offers the Amplified Bible as a single book download (previously only available in some obscure package, and not part of even the GOLD Scholar's library). Until July 31, it can be had at 50% off by typing AMPLIFIED into the coupon area in the checkout process (i.e., $20 instead of $40).

Book Download: http://www.logos.com/ebooks/details/AMP

More Information: http://blog.logos.com/archives/2008/07/amplified_bible_now_available_for_download.html

As you may know, if you don't have it yet, you can download the Logos ["Libronix"] software (no books) for free, and adding a package can be substantially lower if you qualify for a student discount.

Several Scripture Passages Side-by-Side

This one is for novices...oh, well. If you want to look at several passages from the same translation side-by-side, open your preferred translation, then select "Window, New Window" from the menu.

What to Do with Your Logos Box

I know, I know, you're all going to call me crazy. So, here goes nothing...

Most Logos resources you'll buy will be downloads or single CDs. However, when you buy a library, you get a box that measures two by three feet and 15 inches deep, with a single CD in it. Alright, I was stretching the truth. There are two CDs in it (one has training videos). Anyhow, here is my genius idea: hold on to the paper casket you got with the library, and put all your loose CDs into it. Now, wasn't that clever?

It took me 101 days to come up with that.

Choosing Bible Study Software

As most of my friends now, I am a firm believer in Logos bible software. Let me give a few reasons why:

1. It is by far the largest collection out there, which means you can do one search and get lots of results, not just from two or three commentaries. "It has critical mass."

2. The software is extensive, and has a substantial community backing it. There are newsgroups, training videos, and a blog, for instance. Last time I checked, I couldn't even find a product page for Zondervan's Pradis, other than a mention with a few product bundles they offered. It also offers a format that other publishers can write to, and software to write your own books. "It's around to stay."

3. Logos does a marvelous job getting you quick access to extensive search results. I especially like that you don't have to wait for the search to complete, but that it shows what it has already found as it continues searching. "It gets the job done."

4. There's great student pricing. "It's a great value."

I ought to write a few more, but my lunch break is only so long... Sorry.

Addendum: Logos would love to do a link exchange with you: you add them to your blogroll, and they put you into an April 28 post (if you tell them about it).

Amplified Bible for Logos

A helpful soul just pointed out on the Logos Bible Software Blog that the Amplified Bible is available for Logos after all. It's part of the NAS Electronic Bible Library package for $29.97.

Incidentally, if you feel that you just absolutely can't afford even the cheapest Logos package, this could be a very reasonably priced means to get started on Logos. Remember that you can download the Libronix software for free, and this package will then give you the NASB, Amp, ASV, and KJV, Easton's dictionary, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, NAS Topical Index and concordance, Nave's Topical Bible, and more. Don't forget, though, that if you're a student, you already get incredible discounts, and should thoroughly consider a more complete package.