TIP of the day: Why I don't use the Cross-Reference section of the Passage Guide - Part VII

MJ. Smith

Yes, we are drawing close to the end ... and the really fun part ... but we have one or two more types of cross-references to examine. Passages that cover the same topic or concept are divided into 2-4 categories. These 3 plus "standard cross-reference" are what are identified by Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

•     *      placed before a cross-reference indicates an especially clear reference.
•     ✓      placed before a cross-reference indicates a critically clear, pertinent, significant reference.
•     ◐      Contrast. Identifies groups of references gathered on another aspect of the topic, or identifies cross references which explain an apparent or alleged contradiction or alternate doctrinal position.

Examples:

These cross-references which are the foundation of most cross-reference systems depend upon people finding, marking and classifying the Scripture. Simple searches on words may help but they are incomplete and inaccurate.

1. The Catholic Topical Index has a useful Sacred Scripture section.

2. The Topic section of the Passage Guide provides links to the Topic Guide for each of the topics in the passage. Here the Topic section provides links and references from the various topical indices in your library. It also contains a Related Verses section.

3. The Topic section also point us to the Sermon Starter Guide where the Theme and Passages sections provide useful references. Note here we have a relatively uncommon feature - pericope references rather than single verse.

4. The Sermon Starter Guide Them section also links us into the Factbook.

Note none of the Logos links tackle the contrast/contradiction topics.

5. While it does not provide additional references, the Cultural Concepts section is sometimes helpful in organizing the topical/conceptual/thematic information we gather from this complex of references.

6. The final section with Bible references in the Sermon Starter Guide is the Thematic Outlines section.