I was just thinking the other day how many are to many?
Also what is the best way of counting in library view?
When You cover every part of Your canon, or when You have each and every most recent commentary, or when they consist a huge part of Your library, or when You buy base-packages based on what commentary sets are in them:
In practice, any you can't use are "too many." The trouble with that definition is that we often buy in sets (e.g. I just got some more as part of the upgrade pack I chose for Logos 6). But when I'm buying commentaries these days, I ask what it will provide that I don't already have. Since most commentaries cross-reference the significant literature, there's no point buying more that just say the same thing.
Logos 6 now collapses your library by Type, and gives you a count of each type. You will see how many Bible Commentaries you have, as well as how many other commentaries you have (on things like ancient Greek or Latin texts).
I was just thinking the other day how many are to many? Also what is the best way of counting in library view?
Someone once said that you can never have too many (can't remember who). I kind of agree with that. Although the Word of God never changes, the way it is explained does. Once you have more than a few commentaries, you have to be aware that they borrow from each other. This is something to take into consideration when adding to your library.
The best way that I have found in counting your commentaries is to create a collection with the rule "subject:commentaries" (without the quotes). That search term also works in "Library View".
Ok
Thanks Allen so thats 773 Bible commentaries.
I have 874. I'm at 6 Gold Standard now and have my eye on some commentary-heavy packages. I can't get enough of 'em! [:D]
What is this "too many" of which you speak?
For me it is important to get a good balance of types of commentaries (technical, devotional, grammatical etc) and to get good coverage of the various books of the bible. OT is somewhat lacking in my library compared to NT because there are so many NT sets that are strong and not so many OT only sets.
I think a good OT commentary bundle would be nice especially if it can be discounted similarly to the other bundles.
Too many? Only if they are not used.
no such thing as too many. I will have enough when I have a copy of all of them. OK... well maybe all the ones I care about
I type in the word commentary in my Library and 1788 pops up. I do wish to finish series as they get released but I tend to have more than I need. Some older ones that were picked up in Community pricing for example rarely get used....
-Dan
[Y]
Ha! I have found that with the new search features in L6 I am using more of my commentarie. For instance the search {Milestone<bible ref>} combined with "within" help find very specific topics in relation to particular passages. Having more commentaris can only broaden the scope.
[Y] Does that work with monographs as well?:
Ha! I have found that with the new search features in L6 I am using more of my commentaries. For instance the search {Milestone<bible ref>} combined with "within" help find very specific topics in relation to particular passages. Having more commentaris can only broaden the scope:What is this "too many" of which you speak?
Just a few more than I currently own [:D] (To paraphrase John D Rockefeller)
You can get a more accurate count of your commentaries by displaying the Type column in the library and then clicking on it to sort by type. It'll show the number of each type of Resource in you own.
Open the Library pane in a new window (via a right-click). Show in Details view. Click on the Type column.
Alternatively, "type:commentary" in the Library such field will achieve the same thing (but is, perhaps, slightly less cluttered as it removes every other type from the Library pane). Additionally, this will also work in iOS.
Blessings
Note that that count isn't very exact. Logos merges some commentaries, and splits others.
Alternatively, "type:commentary" in the Library such field will achieve the same thing (but is, perhaps, slightly less cluttered as it removes every other type from the Library pane).
You'd still have to sort by type as well, unless you want Commentaries and Bible Commentaries mixed up.
I was just thinking the other day how many are to many? Just a few more than I currently own (To paraphrase John D Rockefeller)
Just a few more than I currently own (To paraphrase John D Rockefeller)
[:D]
the simple answer is 2,000,000,000- but then you would have to hire everyone who has Logos 6 to read them for you- I'm up for a part-time job [:O]
1. When you run out of money, one more is too many.
2. When you wife says, "Honey, could you help me figure out how to pay this bill?"
3. When you have bought everything ever written.
4. When God says, "ENOUGH ALREADY!"
I type in the word commentary in my Library and 1788 pops up.
Doing the proper type listing in Verbum the real number is 1524 for what it is worth...
1568 for me Dan.
I don't really think about commentaries as much as I used to do since I have most of the ones I consider useful and probably more of others that came in some package or other.
There is a real problem in using commentaries too much. It's ridiculously easy to do that in Logos.
It looks like the most accurate is: type:"bible commentary" (I have 3,397)
type:"commentary" ANDNOT type:"bible commentary" - shows another 79
They say that people, regardless of income, think about 20% more money would make them happy. I only want 20% more books.
In an attempt to give a realistic answer, I'll tell you what works for me, knowing YMMV.
I almost never look at more than four or five different commentaries on a particular passage, and that number will drop to about three if I have a commentary that I really like. I have those on about two-thirds of the books in the Bible...the go-to commentaries which really meet most of my needs.
While some will say you can't have too many, that's just silly. You can.
Some caveats:
If you are a specialist (i.e., research academic, etc.), you'll need more of a greater variety than if you are a layperson teaching a SS class.
If you have a settled confessional view of Scripture, you'll need fewer commentaries because you can focus on those which are friendly (or at least, not hostile) to your view.
If you count your spiritual health by how many books you have on your shelves, vs. by how many you've read and digested, then you'll need many, many more.
You will almost never find a set that is consistent with regard to quality from volume-to-volume. Prepare to build an eclectic set (which means you'll have some redundancies if you buy whole sets).
That's my two euros worth. As I said, YMMV.
That's a good point! I'd prefer read and digested:
Also relevant to this is what was just discussed on Christianforums:
...so the words themselves take form and effect our perception of what we read. We think of saved as related to our destination of heaven or hell...so we think when we are saved from sin it is about destination...instead ofactions....so each one by perception has the concepts of truth shaded
I think a more accurate warning for this context is that the number of books on your shelf don't correlate to being a successful pastor, or exegete either. However, I still stand firm on wanting more commentaries. Many have a lot of duplicated content, but that one line in that one commentary that sets you thinking in a different direction. that deepens your view makes it (to me) worth it all in the end. I may not read every page on every book, but I read every page I can relevant to whatever the Lord has me studying at the time. 1600 commentaries sounds like a lot, till you divide it by the number of books in the bible. That averages out to 24 per book of the bible. If a chapter is all that is relevant to what you're studying, thats only 24 chapters. When I read fiction for pleasure that was a days read, not a weeks, and I study for a week leading up to when I preach; longer if I can.I think there are some assumptions being made about the value of others methods when it comes to studying the bible. I can have quite a few more commentaries before I reach the point where I am unable to read them all before a sermon. I don't think its covetous or sinful for me to want to do my part of the sermon to the best of my ability; and in my process that requires more books. Maybe it doesn't in yours, and thats fine. I knew a guy who would write a 3 point sermon on a potty break after lunch before class. No books required. His ministry was fruitful - and he argued more spirit led. So long as we are using the gifts and resources we are given as God directs, then Praise God. I don't know what that looks like for most of you, but I do know what that looks like for me. The same is most likely true of you in regards to yourselves, and certainly true for you of your view of others.As a student, I've taxed my library quite a bit on certain subjects. I currently have a paper I'm writing on eschatology for a prof that disagrees with me and I daresay scripture (lets face it, any of us who hold a position convictionally & having studied the topic believe that scripture supports their view) on the subject. This may well be the most sources I have ever used or consulted in a paper... I'm over 30 pages of works consulted/works cited. This paper has guided some of my more recent purchases as well as some in my immediate future. Its a blessing to me, to have this many titles in my library. So just be careful tossing around judgement, as I am sure there are many out there that serve in a context, or with giftings' that make owning a bunch of commentaries worth while.
Amen, that part is important!:
So long as we are using the gifts and resources we are given as God directs, then Praise God.
I picked many commentaries along with base packages. But in reality I am using about 3 sets constantly and if something is not cover d there, small chance it's covered on the other ones. Usually I am doing my own research. Saying that, I would prefer to have few highly ranked commentaries sets, then hundreds of mediocre ones
I agree:
I would prefer to have few highly ranked commentary sets, than hundreds of mediocre ones
I don't ONLY want average either
This thread caused me to peruse the commentary section on Logos. And I ran across The Complete Classic Commentaries Bundle -- 1537 volumes of various classic commentaries, with coverage on all the books of the Bible. It contains some commentaries that are already in base packages, so this seems a good way to pick up a lot of commentaries all at once that you don't already own.
https://www.logos.com/product/33554/the-complete-classic-commentaries-bundle
This thread caused me to peruse the commentary section on Logos. And I ran across The Complete Classic Commentaries Bundle -- 1537 volumes of various classic commentaries, with coverage on all the books of the Bible. It contains some commentaries that are already in base packages, so this seems a good way to pick up a lot of commentaries all at once that you don't already own. https://www.logos.com/product/33554/the-complete-classic-commentaries-bundle
I pick up a few titles here and there over time from that collection... Maybe it will be in reach one day
Yep, for me it's the equivalent of some of the higher base packages, but I definitely want it. I'll get some of these titles when I upgrade to Reformed Portfolio, and then I'll add a few individual titles until I'm close to owning them all.
Just know that if you buy them seperately, and not on sale or as part of a base package, they cost around 5$ a volume.
Keeping in mind that 'commentary' means linkable to a text milestone (Bible or otherwise). There's quite a few commentary volumes that are monographs (not directly linkable).
Thanks. That's good to know. This thread is getting me in so much trouble. Now I've got all these commentaries on my wish list. But I really like that it tells you if the set can be found in a package. In one case a smaller Anglican base package was only $70 more than the commentary set, so I'm glad I'm doing this research.
How many good Christian friends are too many?
Here's my 2 cents- I have 3912 commentaries- with approx. 400 more in pre-pub or CP,
Do I use them all- not in full, but it is good to read men of different flavors through the ages and their remarks or understanding of a passage. I am always amazed at how much of how they thought or understood has NOT been lost through the years.
We can never read all we buy unless we bought one book at a time- but study requires us to be more judicious with our time, at 60 time has become something I have grown truly to appreciate the fact it cannot be wasted.
I work on the road 12 months a year, only home for a 4 day weekend each month or when I'm on vacation. I have a 2 yr degree from Bible College, but am basically self taught through study and the availability of resources provided by other preachers, and institutions on the internet.
Having said that, Logos is a very valuable tool to me, and when I leave this life, its going to be left to another individual to take advantage of- so remember don't for get to do a "will"- there is a pastor, elder, deacon, layman or bible/ seminary student who would benefit greatly from your ability to collect this resource in your life time. Don't let it quit working when you do [;)]
I'm still wanting a "like" button on the forums! [:)] a lot of good comments, funny remarks and some well-laid out thoughts, such as from Doc B and abondservant.
Here is why I don't think you can have "too many:" similiar to Doc B's experience who used 30 commentaries to bolster his point, there are times when you want a good rigorous debate over a passage, especially over a particular point, and you may be surprised to find that many of the commentaries may just skip over it--you will need to wade through some until you find one that addresses it, and maybe a few more who corroborate or cogently disagree.
Some commentaries don't seem to engage in "deep" or "original" thinking. By deep, I mean, to consider a wider context, to wrestle with how this scripture compares or contrasts with others and how we are to integrate it into theology and/or life. By "original" I mean, they sometimes just parrot what others have said, eg, responding to the comments of others, and have not done the "deep" thinking required to unearth some gems of their own. Some series (for good or for ill) do that more consistently, like Paidea or the Socio-Rhetorical sets.
Which brings me to a valuable experience I had early in my training. While learning to use a concordance and original language tools and I would wade through scriptures and begin to form my own ideas before looking at the commentaries or lexica. I was pretty excited to discover some of the "big boys" (or girls, as it were!) discovered what I had--which boosted my confidence, as well as made for a deeper heart-experience within me, because I had done the work, vs. merely read someone else's conclusion), and at other times, I had some fresh ideas that others had not come up with. --lol, now take that fwiw, sometimes fresh means "spurious" or "heretical", lol, there may be a reason others have not thought of it, or at least discarded that thought! [:D]
That said, I still use commentaries a lot, I enjoy some of them, and they are discussion partners with me when I don't have people around to discuss and learn with me. Happy commentary hunting/buying/using!
But if there's someone who doesn't have other NT commentaries, Paideia is a good choice, right?:
When you have as many as I do, and want more. I am addicted.
But if there's someone who doesn't have other NT commentaries, Paideia is a good choice, right?:Some commentaries don't seem to engage in "deep" or "original" thinking. By deep, I mean, to consider a wider context, to wrestle with how this scripture compares or contrasts with others and how we are to integrate it into theology and/or life. By "original" I mean, they sometimes just parrot what others have said, eg, responding to the comments of others, and have not done the "deep" thinking required to unearth some gems of their own. Some series (for good or for ill) do that more consistently, like Paidea or the Socio-Rhetorical sets.
Hey Unix, first, I have not used all of their commentaries--scratch that, not used "most." So I cannot comment on all of them. I recommend it based on my limited experience and their stated approach: they don't go verse by verse, but look at pericopes, larger sections and flow of scripture. That approach alone is different than most.
But to you point, if others don't have NT commentaries, or many, Paideia does not yet have the full complement of New Testament books in their set, they only have 11 volumes covering 14 of the 27 NT books (with a twelfth volume on John's Epistles under development) To my knowledge they do not have OT. So they will be helpful if you are focusing on books that they have. You can buy them individually, as well.
"Hello, 'Michael!" (you are amongst friends, here, like any good dysfunctional 12 Step group! [:P])
He has Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library (29 vols.) as well, forgot to mention that, it contains a couple of introductions which should cover the Gospels and serve in the same way as introductions in commentaries:
Paideia does not yet have the full complement of New Testament books in their set, they only have 11 volumes covering 14 of the 27 NT books (with a twelfth volume on John's Epistles under development). To my knowledge they do not have OT.
did I detect a sly sense of humor there?[;)]
In the old days the shelf space use to help answer this perennial question... now it is the HD space.
Which is a lot less expensive and easier to relocate when you move. [:)]
In the old days the shelf space use to help answer this perennial question... now it is the HD space. Which is a lot less expensive and easier to relocate when you move.
Which is a lot less expensive and easier to relocate when you move.
aint' it great???!!!
Dan Francis:In the old days the shelf space use to help answer this perennial question... now it is the HD space.
Also Dan & Bruce if we run out of space we can Upgrade to a larger SSD [:D]
i didnt know the answer to your question when I first saw it so I did a search of all my commentaries for the answer. Since I did not find the answer through my search the answer must be at least one more set than I curently own :-)
