Pick and Choose or Buy a Set

mab
mab Member Posts: 3,071 ✭✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

I have a good problem for a change. I'm looking at adding some commentaries to my library but I can't really say that I value all the volumes in some sets. I'm looking at ICC and Anchor Bible. Definitely want some which are truly useful but not all. I've got some from both in print that I treasure. They'll go if I decided to go electronic.

Money isn't the issue, but being a steward, is there enough reason to do a set? I guesstimate that there are about 10-15 volumes in each that I'd like to have.

The mind of man is the mill of God, not to grind chaff, but wheat. Thomas Manton | Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow. Richard Baxter

Comments

  • Deacon Steve
    Deacon Steve Member Posts: 1,608 ✭✭✭

    That is a very interesting question.  I would posit a question back.  But first, go ahead and purchase the volumes that you truly value and would use from either or both sets.

    What about using the money you have left ... between what you buy and that of the full set price (for one or both) ... and put it to use helping out the poor in your area?

    Just a thought. 

     

  • Mike Childs
    Mike Childs Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭

    individual volumes in these sets are not cheap.  Figure how much you would really save if you buy 10 to 15 volumes in each set.  Not much, I suspect.  For very little difference you probably could get the sets.

    Whatever you do, I recommend calling a Logos sales rep and see what is the best deal you can get.

    I certainly agree about the need to be a good steward of God's resources.


    "In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church," John Wesley

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,838 ✭✭✭

    mab said:

    ...I guesstimate that there are about 10-15 volumes in each that I'd like to have.

    If that's the case, then call sales, you might be better off purchasing the whole set.  As mentioned by others, buying on an individual basis can get more expensive than buying a whole set even if you don't use all the volumes.

    Blessings!

    DAL

  • mab
    mab Member Posts: 3,071 ✭✭✭

    I guess I need to tally which volumes I want and add them up manually and then see how close it comes. Some of them are part of March Madness, so this should be interesting and I'll do ICC first because of that.

    Putting them into Logos means that the volumes will get more use.

    Thanks for your replies.

    The mind of man is the mill of God, not to grind chaff, but wheat. Thomas Manton | Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow. Richard Baxter

  • Bruce Dunning
    Bruce Dunning MVP Posts: 11,159

    The other thing to consider is that you can't be sure how you may use them in the future. Although purchasing volumes individually at first may be less expensive adding more in the future may cost more. The savings often are very significant.

    Using adventure and community to challenge young people to continually say "yes" to God

  • GS
    GS Member Posts: 48 ✭✭

    There are some useful resources for finding the "better" commentaries.  On logos check out D. A. Carson's guide : http://www.logos.com/product/5342/new-testament-commentary-survey-6th-ed.  Also check out the website "Best Commentaries": http://www.bestcommentaries.com/.  I would agree with Carson's observation that many series are "uneven" and that often our desire to own a full series is a reflection of a "collector mentality" ... although one does have to consider the cost advantage where one exists.

  • fgh
    fgh Member Posts: 8,948 ✭✭✭

    If you want it, make sure to get the March Madness price.

    Mac Pro (late 2013) OS 12.6.2

  • SWSovereign
    SWSovereign Member Posts: 51 ✭✭

    I have Carson's New Testament Commentary Survey in Logos.  The next edition is due out in print this Fall.  Hopefully, Logos will offer that as well.  Commentary surveys can becoming dated rather quickly.

    As a side note, to the best of my knowledge, Logos has never offered the corresponding Old Testament Commentary Survey by Tremper Longman.  The new print edition of that just came out a few weeks ago.  Maybe we'll get lucky and Logos with offer BOTH Carson and Longman!!!

  • ChelseaFC
    ChelseaFC Member Posts: 730 ✭✭

    Off topic. You have an awesome name or screen name.:-) 

    Chelsea FC- Today is a good day!

  • elnwood
    elnwood Member Posts: 487 ✭✭

    The Anchor Bible set is not available as individual volumes. Nahum, Proverbs 10-31, and Mark 8-16 are available individually, but they are not included in the set.

    I looked at getting the ICC set, but ended up getting the individual volumes from ICC available from March Madness (Best, Cranfield, Barrett). Most of the ICC volume in the set are dated. I already have Marshall on the Pastorals. The only volumes I may get later are Davies/Allison on Matthew and maybe Thrall on 2 Corinthians.

  • mab
    mab Member Posts: 3,071 ✭✭✭

    This was not nearly so hard to do for a start. The ICC is really sort of a no-brainer, even the older volumes are sought after. On the AYB I decided to do the NT first. There are more volumes of value in the OT AYB, but I haven't yet decided if there are enough to make my wallet open. 

    FWIW calling my salesperson made it much easier and more productive. I'm delighted!

    The mind of man is the mill of God, not to grind chaff, but wheat. Thomas Manton | Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow. Richard Baxter

  • mab
    mab Member Posts: 3,071 ✭✭✭

    ChelseaFC said:

    Off topic. You have an awesome name or screen name.:-) 

    [:$] Thanks!

    The mind of man is the mill of God, not to grind chaff, but wheat. Thomas Manton | Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow. Richard Baxter