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Thursday October 8, 2009 ~ 14 Comments
Needless to say, heading out to study for my sermon at a coffee shop or a park was next to impossible. Well, unless I stuffed my bag so full of books that the zipper began to pray. The Logos Scholar's Library: Gold has changed the way I study, where I study and the results of my studying. I am consistently impressed with it and thought I would share my review here at the blog. THE INSTALL -- I was attending a conference last year and was blessed with the opportunity to have my very own copy of this amazing software. At the time I was new to the Apple/Mac world and had no idea how to install in Mac world. I shared this with the Logos Team and they took my MacBook and installed the product during one of the conference sessions. I was good to go. I could now begin learning this program. They gave me links to several video tutorials explaining how to use Logos. The Logos Team recommended that I watch these videos as I begin to learn Logos so that I could see just how extensive the software really is--so I could learn to use all the tools it offers. I understand that everyone who purchases this software will not have the privilege of having the Logos Team install the program for him or her. However, the customer support at Logos is impressive. So much so, that Logos' CEO/President has repeatedly made it publicly clear that if the Logos Team of nearly 200 can't make you happy, he will personally address your concerns himself. They also ask you to email them your suggestions and feedback. The Logos Team also have recently developed a community forum where many of their staff members engage in the discussion. They received the 5 out of 5 stars award from Google Shopping, and ranked in the Top 5 Rated Websites at Reseller Ratings out of nearly 20,000 stores and 360,000+ reviews. MY TRIAL RUN -- When I first sat down to try this software out for the first time I knew I must be patient. If you are anything like myself, you resist what you do not know or understand. So, my advice is to watch the tutorials and then be patient--trying your best to learn the way this program works (it will not take long to learn it, but it will drastically increase your efficiency to watch the videos first). Of course you could simply pull 700 volumes off the shelf every time you study or do what I did for years and only reference my favorite 3 or 4 commentaries for every sermon. Once I learned how to use it, I found it easy to use. All I had to do was type in a Bible reference, or a topic and click the "Go" button. In the last year, I would have a research assistant photocopy and gather all the info I needed--putting commentaries, sermon examples, and other resources in one file for me to review. Logos basically does that for me (and cost one of my researchers his part-time job--well, at least I put him on another project). The program acts as your research assistant. It scanned over 700 titles in a matter of 7 seconds searching for information on the text I was preaching on. I was a bit amused that it even found songs that related to my passage as well as maps and graphs that I could import into my PowerPoint or Keynote presentations. THE COST -- The cost can be intimidating. Forking over $1,379.95 for the Gold edition is a decent amount of cash. However, Logos offers payment plans for some of their products. Also, Logos offers discounts to any degree-seeking student and faculty or staff members. But, I think it is worth it in the time I save and the resources I gain. Keep this in perspective; you are receiving over $11,700 worth of print books for about 10% of the price. THE FACTS -- So, my thoughts on the Scholar's Library: Gold is that it puts entire bookcases of Bibles and Bible reference titles one mouse-click away. The Logos Team has dedicated years of research and development to bring you a system that combines full features with full automation, creating software that is both powerful and easy to use. THE LINKS -- Thanks Logos for your hard work and for the resource. 14 CommentsLeave a comment |
  
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I have used this software for a about three years now and while I still reference paper copies, it is my main method of studying the Bible. There is simply no comparison with how much you can accomplish in such a relatively short amount of time.
While the cost is a concern, there are some other versions that may give the tools a person is looking for, for a much lower price.
Welcome to the world of Logos, Ed. I've been using it for over ten years and it's become an indispensable tool for me. I use it for EVERY message I give. It's been worth every penny I've spent on it.
Nice talk yesterday on church planting at Catalyst, BTW.
Ed,
Logos does more than even a good research assistant (and how many of us have one of those?). Logos finds stuff you wouldn't have thought to look for, and because it is so fast, it encourages you to buy reference material, like journals you might never think to own, so it can search those for you. It can do more the more you feed it, so as you add commentaries, dictionaries, journals, and the like, your 'library' grows and so does what Logos can locate for you.
Logos is also very helpful to those of us who have lost some of our Greek and Hebrew along the way.
For those in vocational ministry who use the Windows software platform there isn't anything else like it out there. For work solely in Greek and Hebrew there is another program that is valuable, but for general Bible study and preparing Bible studies and sermons, no one can touch Logos.
I appreciated your review very much (I am also a Logos Scholar's Library, Gold user), but for we Mac Users, this link will take them to the training videos: http://www.macbiblesoftware.com/support/articles/
All the best, and looking forward to the day when Mac and PC users of Logos software will achieve parity ; )
John
I use Logos and enjoy it, but the prohibitive factor is cost and the extra books, commentaries, etc are by no means cheap. However if one can afford them, it is a great tool above some of the others. For general scripture look up I fall back to a outdated version of "Quickverse" Thanks for your blogs that keep us on the fringe edges up-todate!
Hello,
I work for Logos Bible Software and I would love to offer you a discounted price on the Scholar's Library Gold Edition no matter who you are! If you want to take your Bible study to the next level, take a look and give me a call. I would love to hear from you!
Jared Bryant (800) 875-6467 ext 2319
Should a pastor go into debt with Bible software? I would love to hear some thoughts on this. I dont know where I stand on it.
GB
If you're a Mac user, you should make sure you check all your options before spending that much money on a software package.
I use Accordance and love it. It's Mac native and feels like it. It's fast, and cost effective ($699 for the "Super Bundle" which is more than you'll need), which makes it a wise stewardship choice.
Mind you, I'm in no way affiliated with Accordance, other than being a very pleased customer...
Logos has been amazing. My family and I moved from Canada to Florida this Summer. Our first night in Spokane, WA our moving van was stolen with everything we own (logos software, etc). Long story short... Logos sent me a new install DVD because my other one was stolen. No questions asked just superb customer service and help...
I haven't regretted for a moment getting Gold: Scholar's Edition, and I utilize probably 1% of its potential. The thing's flippin' powerful... you could take a few seminary courses just learning what all you can do with it. Oh, and the commentary and dictionary collections that you can add make it sweet beyond imagination. When you can take your whole library to Starbucks (OK, you're probably not going to write a good sermon or Bible study at Starbucks) or the public library on your laptop, how sweet is that?
The prepub deals that come along are unreal, and occasionally publishers will offer commentary sets at insane prices (T. Nelson recently offered the entire Word BC set for $299).
Highly recommend the IVP Essentials set as well.
Shalom,
matt
Those who would like to use their Logos program more effectively might want to consider purchasing a manual available at:
http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/16609864/izwfgczm825rkj0v80f?from_email_13_share_upload=1
As for the affordability and stewardship aspects- I do not believe going into debt is ever wise. Even the lesser packages are good- like the Leader's Library (much cheaper too with tons of resources). If you put away some money each week or month, in time you can buy it.
I have looked into Accordance and Logos, as well as QuickVerse and iLumina (which is not very good about available resources)- and I am sold on Logos. I am currently saving buy Logos for my Mac and upgrading to the Leader's Library for now.
I'd heard Mark Driscoll make mention of Logos and when I read this post I was sold on it. I purchased the Leader's edition the next day.
I was going to buy it outright, but I decided to spread the payments. I'm paying something liked $45 per months for 8 months, and as I'm in the UK, it actually works out as being very affordable for me.
The package arrived this morning, which means it took about 5 days in total to process and ship my order from the States to my home, which is great, IMO.
I've been playing about with Logos for the past half hour and I'm really excited to get my teeth into it. Thanks for the review, Ed.
(I've blogged in brief here;
http://mjhunter.posterous.com/expanding-my-knowledge)
If you are a mac user I would highly recommend Accordance. I actually have both Accordance and Logos (now for Mac). Accordance is just more Mac native and user friendly, not to mention the commentary resources and price are much superior. If you are a PC user go with Logos, but if you are a Mac user and know why you are, help yourself out with accordance.