Advice on my proposed purchases after ditching Scholars

Hi,

I have requested a refund on Scholars Library and have a shopping cart with the following in it:

Bible Study Library Package
Tynedale Commentaries
ISBE
Systematic Theology - Grundem
The Essential Bible Companion
IVP Essential collection

That comes to the princely sum of $823

Can you review my choices and advise what I should keep or ditch and if there are any duplicated materials, that I only one or other to begin with.

Thanks

Jonny

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Rich DeRuiter

Can you review my choices and advise what I should keep or ditch and if there are any duplicated materials, that I only one or other to begin with.

There is no way to advise you regarding your choices, since we don't know your level of theological training, the purpose for which you will use Logos4, the theological tradition/heritage from which you come, nor your total economic situation.

Regarding ISBE there is an older and a revised (updated) edition of ISBE (1979-1995). I would advise the revised edition, as it includes the most recent archeological discoveries, and better scholarship on some matters (please don't ask for specifics, it's been too long since I looked into it).

The other selections are good, respectable products as well. The Bible Study base package is fine for personal Bible study, without a need/ability to work with the original languages.

To answer your question regarding duplicated materials, you can look at the comparison chart here for what your target package includes, and then compare it with the product pages for your other potential collections. Use your browser's on page (usually CTRL-F) search function to look for resources on that page that may be duplicated with your other choices.

As regards what might best suit your needs beyond these general descriptions, tell us more about your purpose in using Logos and your theological training, or take advantage of Logos excellent sales staff. Talk with them on the phone if you can (look for the 800 number on the top right of the Logos.com web site), or email them: sales@logos.com.

DAL

I'd say it's a good start, though I'd rather buy something else instead of ISBE since IVP dictionaries will give you a lot to the point that (IMO) you wouldn't need ISBE. What you have it's good though and IMHO it doesn't matter what level of theological training you have, you'd still benefit from the information regardless. I remember when I had no theological training and read commentaries, and I was able to tell which information was good and which one was questionable because it was a matter of the author trying to push his own theological agenda. Anyway, in the final analysis, it'll be your choice, but don't worry you've made a good one with what you've got so far.

Blessings!

DAL

nicky crane

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/315763#Comment_315763

If you can afford it, I'd recommend UBS Translators Handbook. My commentary of choice.

BriM

Based on your other posts, I think I'm talking to someone who has been a Christian for a number of years but has no theological training. You don't intend to study languages but want to be able to defend your faith to your friends. If I've misunderstood then I'm sorry and please disregard my post.

ISBE and IVP Essential Collection are similar in that they are both quality bible dictionaries. Some prefer one, some the other. You'll need to decide whether you need both - there will be some duplication. I have IVP at the moment and hope to buy ISBE later this month. You'll find other people's comments here http://community.logos.com/forums/t/31000.aspx. If you decide on the IVP route, there are two other IVP dictionaries not in that set http://www.logos.com/product/4714/ivp-dictionary-of-the-old-testament-bundle.(There are also supposedly 3 more volumes of OT on the way).

Grudem is good. You might also consider http://www.logos.com/product/3620/christian-theology-2nd-ed as a good alternative and is cheaper.

I don't have the Essential Bible Companion so can't comment on that.

There is a good review of the sort of resources you're talking about here: http://wiki.logos.com/Resource_Review

Jonathan Cousins

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/315828#Comment_315828

Based on your other posts, I think I'm talking to someone who has been a Christian for a number of years but has no theological training. You don't intend to study languages but want to be able to defend your faith to your friends. If I've misunderstood then I'm sorry and please disregard my posts

perfect description

David A Egolf

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/315828#Comment_315828

One advantage of Grudem's text is that there are podcasts available of him teaching at Scottsdale Bible. Over 100 mp3 files are online for free. The topics correspond to his text. They can be accessed strictly from a web browser or you can locate them from iTunes on either a PC, MAC, or handheld. Did I say they were FREE! I listen to them prior to reading the corresponding chapters in either my Logos version or the hardcover.

Grudem teaches from the Reformed tradition and is very clear and down to earth.

Paul N

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/315828#Comment_315828

By exchanging the Bible Study package for Scholars you're losing nearly all ancient text and original language grammars. Any need for other language tools?

[EDIT] - and looks like you answered my question above.

Any thought on adopting a famous dead guy and becoming an expert? Spurgeon? Calvin? Luther? Edwards? Augustine?

Todd Phillips

I have requested a refund on Scholars Library and have a shopping cart with the following in it:

Bible Study Library Package

Tynedale Commentaries

ISBE

Systematic Theology - Grundem

The Essential Bible Companion

IVP Essential collection

That comes to the princely sum of $823

Can you review my choices and advise what I should keep or ditch and if there are any duplicated materials, that I only one or other to begin with.

Looks good to me. Make sure your ISBE is the revised one.

Be aware that some of those products are available from resellers for a discount. I can't give you links because of the forum rules.

Josh

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/315916#Comment_315916

I would also consider:

http://www.logos.com/product/8029/evangelical-dictionary-of-theology-edt-2nd-ed

Jms_D

You can find the ISBE in the public domain and included with several of the free Bible programs on the market. This might "free" up some of your funds for something else.

Rich DeRuiter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/315937#Comment_315937

You can find the ISBE in the public domain and included with several of the free Bible programs on the market. This might "free" up some of your funds for something else.

Yes, but that is the old ISBE, not the rev. ed. (Logos sells both). Further, by not having it integrated into Logos, it takes longer to find what you need and the Scripture highlights in ISBE won't directly link to passages in Logos, nor give the text on hover.

Allen Browne

I have requested a refund on Scholars Library and have a shopping cart with the following in it:
Bible Study Library Package

Tynedale Commentaries

ISBE

Systematic Theology - Grundem

The Essential Bible Companion

IVP Essential collection

That comes to the princely sum of $823.

Can you review my choices and advise what I should keep or ditch and if there are any duplicated materials, that I only one or other to begin with.

If you don't read Hebrew or Greek, that combination may make more sense than a Scholar's pack.

One thing to keep an eye out for are the specials that come periodically. One option you might consider is the Nelson bundle available as a Christmas special:

http://www.12daysoflogos.com/day-10-nelson-bible-reference-bundle-200-vols/

For $600, this would replace the Tyndale commentaries and Essential Bible Companion for starters, and the cash bonus would let you buy the ISBE and Grudem.

The IVP Essential Collection would be worth delaying until later (perhaps when it comes on special somewhere), so your immediate total purchase would be similar, but I think you'd have a more comprehensive library.

(That's not detracting at all from the choices you are considering: all good.)

Jacob Hantla

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/315765#Comment_315765

If you can afford it, I'd recommend UBS Translators Handbook. My commentary of choice.

Cheaper to just get Silver or higher...but I agree very helpful set for the niche which it addresses.

David Carter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/316001#Comment_316001

If you can afford it, I'd recommend UBS Translators Handbook. My commentary of choice.

Cheaper to just get Silver or higher...but I agree very helpful set for the niche which it addresses.

Even better if you got Gold, which unlike Silver actually includes the UBS series [:D]

Bill Moore

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/316007#Comment_316007

Hi Jonathan. My advice is to contact Logos sales by phone instead of ordering online. You may very well get a better price on some of the resources than you get online.