Switched to Logos

When I was at the seminary I bought Bibleworksto help with translation, exegesis, and Bible study prep. It was a great program and I used it a lot during those years. I upgraded to a new version several years ago, but found I was using it more for just general searches and on the fly translation help–like using a Formula 1 race car to drive a mile to the grocery store.

Meanwhile I bought a copy of Luther’s Works on CDROM which used theLibronixLibrary format and did not integrate with Bibleworks. I used it some and realized how useful having one collection of electronic resources would be.

So I used some of my professional development money and bought myself a copy of the Logos Oringial Languages  collection (at a huge discount from the MSRP at the link!). It has the complete TDNT on it, a few grammars (always useful) Metzger’s Textual Commentary, digited copies of the “P” manuscripts, and tons of stuff I haven’t discovered yet. That’s the good–it has a lot and can do some really neat searches.

The bad is that the Logos company has some crazy packages. Missing from the Original Languages collection was the lectionary viewer, Bible maps and other basic tools that are present in every other collection. That, and I have been using Bibleworks for so long it’s hard to adjust. I haven’t learned how to do one of my most basic searches: look up a cross-reference and have the English and Greek and Hebrew originals appear with it.

I also hate that there is no manual with it. Yes, I know manuals are going the way of steam engines, but I hate watching tutorial videos. They are so slow and dumbed-down, and every little step is narrated. It’s quite annoying. But I am forcing myself to watch them–a couple a week–as I’m having to learn the system from the ground-up.

All in all, I’m pretty happy with my decision. I think that after the first of the year I may upgrade to one of the other collection in order to have some of the tools that will make Bible study prep easier. I’m also toying with saving up for the Early Church Fathers collection. Though I own them in book format, being able to click a box and search the 34 volumes for references may mean I would use them more than I do now. Though the price tag on those is a bit overwhelming.

Related posts:

1. Passages Visit and Review
2. Days Grown Cold and Humility
3. Logos: Strike That
4. What Grace Looks Like
5. On the Remodel