Logos, I would like to finish a project so please standardize referencing and dynamic text.

MJ. Smith

I've been slowly been working on a project for years. I want to build a parallel scripture resource that emphasizes the narrative:

• column 1: contains the bible text forming the backbone of the Biblical narrative (think Cavins, Jeff, Tim Gray, and Sarah Christmyer. The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation. The Great Adventure Bible Timeline. Ascension Press, 2011. 'cuz I'm Catholic)
• Column 2: the rest of the Bible aligned so that columns 1&2 form a chronological Bible.
• Column 3: parabiblical texts - Jewish, Christian, Gnostic aligned with the text they expand - Think of Jubilees and The Book of the Cave being the backbone here, Kedra Nagast and Adam Octopartite as supplements.
• Column 4: related texts from other Abrahamic religions e.g. Koran parallels to the Bible, the Book of Mormon additional Biblical history,

Unfortunately, there is one serious barrier in Logos where it ought to be doable easily with the use of dynamic text and standard references as was done for the shared parallel pericopes document. The problem:

• Not all works in an anthology are given milestones, e.g. Adam Octopartite
• Some works although versified in the text are given milestones only at the chapter level (I work at the pericope level again 'cuz I'm Catholic).
• Some works fail to provide syntax for prologues, prefaces, etc. giving them the milestone for the entire document which creates chaos.
• Some works use identical milestones for multiple recensions leaving one unable to specify the text one wants among those in a book
• Some basic works are available only as eBooks or library page scans e.g. Pistis Sophia when looking at Christian works; as for other Abrahamic religions anything outside the big three is sparse … and if it's not in Logos, it can't have a dynamic link or text.
• Some creeds are treated as parabiblical documents in some of the parabiblical anthologies. Please add a referencing system for the common creeds/confessions of faith.

It would help if:

1. Factbook were to give the standard reference, abbreviation for all parabiblical works
2. The book in which we can find the actual text be shown in Factbook, separate from books about the topic/text.
3. Consistently, tag the parabiblical text to the level of detail supported by the text.
4. Develop resources to support parabiblical texts world-wide - think Wallis Budge, G.R.S. Mead, Michael Stone … Remember that for disciplines and denominations that only Logos supports you build a captive market.

@Mark Barnes (Logos) Note, it is difficult to recommend and demonstrate software when it fails on your major project.