Help, please Introduce me to the Background of Surveys

I need help understanding the following: Introductions, Backgrounds, Surveys - what are they exactly/how are they different from each (if they're not the same)? And maybe some not-too-technical recommendations for both the OT and NT as well? Thanks in advance!

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MJ. Smith

what are they exactly/how are they different from each

It varies from author to author and publisher to publisher but my rough guess is:

introduction - written for someone unfamiliar with the material
background - focus on the parallel written materials and culture rather than on the text
survey - a high-level view for a particular take on the material; audience may or may not be beginners

A decent set in Logos:

Drane, John William. Introducing the New Testament. Completely rev. and updated. Oxford: Lion Publishing plc, 2000.
Drane, John William. Introducing the Old Testament. Completely rev. and updated. Oxford: Lion Publishing plc, 2000.

Yasmin Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/857214#Comment_857214

Thanks MJ., this is very helpful.

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/857214#Comment_857214

A decent set in Logos:

Another good resource

Geisler, Norman L., and William E. Nix. A General Introduction to the Bible. Rev. and expanded. Chicago: Moody Press, 1986.

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/857214#Comment_857214

introduction - written for someone unfamiliar with the material

background - focus on the parallel written materials and culture rather than on the text

survey - a high-level view for a particular take on the material; audience may or may not be beginners

I agree with MJ. Another way of looking at it (in very general terms) would be:

Introduction: Read this before you read the text, and it will help you put the text in context.
Background: Read this as you read the text, and it will fill in some blanks.
Survey: Read this instead of reading the text, and it will give you a summary.

Yasmin Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/857278#Comment_857278

A decent set in Logos:

Another good resource

Geisler, Norman L., and William E. Nix. A General Introduction to the Bible. Rev. and expanded. Chicago: Moody Press, 1986.

Thank you - this one I have!

Yasmin Stephen

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/857289#Comment_857289

I agree with MJ. Another way of looking at it (in very general terms) would be:

Introduction: Read this before you read the text, and it will help you put the text in context.

Background: Read this as you read the text, and it will fill in some blanks.

Survey: Read this instead of reading the text, and it will give you a summary.

Thanks - this is a good complement to MJ.'s post because it helps me understand at what stage in my study they would come into play.

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/857299#Comment_857299

Introduction: Read this before you read the text, and it will help you put the text in context.

Background: Read this as you read the text, and it will fill in some blanks.

Survey: Read this instead of reading the text, and it will give you a summary.

This is not new to me but I love the simplicity of how you framed it. Thanks.

Cynthia in Florida

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/857289#Comment_857289

introduction - written for someone unfamiliar with the material

background - focus on the parallel written materials and culture rather than on the text

survey - a high-level view for a particular take on the material; audience may or may not be beginners

I agree with MJ. Another way of looking at it (in very general terms) would be:

Introduction: Read this before you read the text, and it will help you put the text in context.

Background: Read this as you read the text, and it will fill in some blanks.

Survey: Read this instead of reading the text, and it will give you a summary.

Mark, the explanation of this is fantastic!

Virgil Buttram

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/857289#Comment_857289

I agree with MJ. Another way of looking at it (in very general terms) would be:

Introduction: Read this before you read the text, and it will help you put the text in context.

Background: Read this as you read the text, and it will fill in some blanks.

Survey: Read this instead of reading the text, and it will give you a summary.

Jumping on the bandwagon - this is concise, illustrative, and effective. Thanks!