Which 'tradition' to choose

I'm new to Logos. I'm fairly sure which package to buy, but am stuck on which tradition. I can use the comparison tool, but that just gives me the different books in each and I don't know enough about the books for that to be helpful. I know that I don't want a Lutheran, Orthodox, Pentacostal, SDA or Catholic bent, but, like many modern workers, I can usually move between the other traditions without much trouble. Does that make me 'Standard'? What made me worry about that conclusion was to see the wide difference in the resources for Standard and Baptist. I would love to hear from both experts and people who have thoughtfully made the choice.

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William Gabriel

The one you pick is the one you’ll be judged by in eternity. Think of this as your Divergent choosing ceremony on a spiritual level.

Personally, I’d call myself a reformed baptist, so I have base packages in standard, baptist, and Anglican. There’s no reason to limit yourself to just one. Find the resources that will interest you the most and go for it.

Ted Sherwood

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030269#Comment_1030269

Crikey William, that would be expensive! At USD1934 for the package they recommend for a regular preacher (Platinium), that's nearly six grand because I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool something. I'll have to look elsewhere.

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030269#Comment_1030269

Welcome to the forums Ted. I applaud you for taking time to reflect on the options that will suit you best. Of course every person will have their preferences. It sounds like you have set your budget which is wise. I would encourage you to compare each option and ask specific questions about resources that you would like more clarification than is on the website.

Which direction you choose also depends on what type of studying/reading you want to do and how you plan to use it. Is it for preaching, teaching, personal interest etc. ?

Another thing to consider is to purchase multiple traditions. I have standard portfolio but have chosen started base packages from most of the traditions to give me a balanced set of resources that represent a variety of views.

William Gabriel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030271#Comment_1030271

Crikey William, that would be expensive! At USD1934 for the package they recommend for a regular preacher (Platinium), that's nearly six grand because I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool something. I'll have to look elsewhere.

Apologies, I didn't mean to imply you needed to buy a certain tier of every tradition you're interested in. I'd say get Gold of the one you "align" with most to get all the features of Logos 8, then check some of the lower levels of the other traditions for other resources that might fill in the gaps. My anglican package is only bronze, I think, but I probably have gold for reformed and baptist.

Think of Logos as something you build over time. You don't need to invest in everything all at once. You can pick what looks the most interesting right now and then look for killer sales to get what you need to complete your library.

I should also mention that there is a lot of overlap among platinum packages that the checkout process can't show you where there would be savings. You don't ever have to pay twice for a book. So if you call or email sales, you can often realize great savings based on the overlap. Here's my email with sales about my Logos 8 purchase: Me> "What would the price be to get Standard Gold, Baptist Gold and Reformed Gold all in one go?" Sales> "Your price for the three is $405.73." Keep in mind that this was my personal dynamic price based on what I already owned. Yours would be different.

PetahChristian

When I started off with Logos, I went with a denominational package. Later on, my purchases were primarily based on commentary sets, and if I found a better deal in a different denominational package, I'd purchase that one. By the time Logos 8 rolled around, the standard package turned out to be the best value for its contents, and I skipped my denominational package.

I think you'll find that some of us buy a mix of denominational packages to simply get the resources we need at the best price, regardless of denomination.

Also, to add on to what William shared, make sure to go through Sales to get the best discount if you're going to purchase two or more packages. (You get additional savings on your first L8 order, and Sales can work out dynamic pricing due to any package overlap.)

Please make sure you purchase Logos by February 7th, or you'd miss out on the L8 introductory pricing.

Ted Sherwood

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030281#Comment_1030281

Thank you Bruce, William and PetaChristian. Very helpful.

Just to confirm PetaChristian, when you say 'a mix of denominational packages', you mean that after your first package you choose individual resources from across the different traditions?

As for pricing, a reduction for package overlap goes at least some way towards the hefty price for going across traditions. I am still coming to grips though with the need for investing in more than one base package just because I'm not being embedded in one tradition (a not unusual preacher in this day-and-age)

In L8, it seems sensible to at least start with the package that gives the full feature set, and I'm leaning, after hearing what you guys have said, towards the Standard. Then supplementing across the traditions as I need. I am not a theologian, just a preacher who wants to use the Bible and explain the Word properly, Comments welcome.

I have asked Logos how they choose what they put in the Standard (a default further tradition).

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030269#Comment_1030269

The one you pick is the one you’ll be judged by in eternity. Think of this as your Divergent choosing ceremony on a spiritual level.

William, surely you're jesting?

Didn't John hint at the exact opposite? I'm smiling, as St Peter checks your Logos license file. "Hmm ... Silver huh? Clearly, not right-hand material."

PetahChristian

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030289#Comment_1030289

Just to confirm PetaChristian, when you say 'a mix of denominational packages', you mean that after your first package you choose individual resources from across the different traditions?

Yes, I would choose the tradition that offered the best price for the resources I wanted.

As for pricing, a reduction for package overlap goes at least some way towards the hefty price for going across traditions.

You don't have to match tiers (e.g., Gold across all traditions you get). For example, if something I wanted came in Lutheran Bronze, I'd just buy that Lutheran tier, even if it's lower than my Standard tier. Other tradition purchases add to what you already own -- they won't cancel anything out or "lower" what you already own.

I'm leaning, after hearing what you guys have said, towards the Standard. Then supplementing across the traditions as I need.

Sounds good!

If you happen to need a resource which isn't in any base package, keep in mind that publisher sales occur every so often. If you can be patient and don't need a particular resource immediately, add it to your wishlist and wait for a sale price (instead of buying it at regular price).

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030279#Comment_1030279

Think of Logos as something you build over time. You don't need to invest in everything all at once. You can pick what looks the most interesting right now and then look for killer sales to get what you need to complete your library.

I would like to echo these thoughts. For the most part I have waiting for those "killer sales". One such sale is also going on now - https://www.logos.com/special-edition-heiser-collection but it probably is not the best to get started with Logos.

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030279#Comment_1030279

I'd say get Gold of the one you "align" with most to get all the features of Logos 8, then check some of the lower levels of the other traditions for other resources that might fill in the gaps.

This is good advice. I had standard platinum in an earlier release, but went with 6 starter or bronze packages in L8 to broaden my exposure to varying trains of thought.

Mike Pettit

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030512#Comment_1030512

The "Ultimate" tradition

GaoLu

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030292#Comment_1030292

The one you pick is the one you’ll be judged by in eternity. Think of this as your Divergent choosing ceremony on a spiritual level.

William, surely you're jesting?

Didn't John hint at the exact opposite? I'm smiling, as St Peter checks your Logos license file. "Hmm ... Silver huh? Clearly, not right-hand material."

If you buy Ultimate, which includes all the traditions, you automatically get Peter's Pearly Gate Precheck with much shorter lines.

Ted Sherwood

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030541#Comment_1030541

Would somebody please explain to me what the 'Standard' tradition is.

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030541#Comment_1030541

[:)]

If you buy Ultimate, which includes all the traditions, you automatically get Peter's Pearly Gate Precheck with much shorter lines.

I just knew it!

EastTN

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030551#Comment_1030551

Would somebody please explain to me what the 'Standard' tradition is.

Originally, there weren't separate packages based on tradition or denomination. When they started adding denominational packages, they renamed their old packages "Standard." The "Standard" packages represent that default that isn't intentionally tailored towards any particular tradition. If you put a gun to my head, I'd probably describe it as broadly "evangelical."

David Drew

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030541#Comment_1030541

If you buy Ultimate, which includes all the traditions, you automatically get Peter's Pearly Gate Precheck with much shorter lines.

Only if you've read every page on every resource! Otherwise, it's off to purgatory for you until you finish your reading. Oh wait, wrong tradition. [:)]

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030565#Comment_1030565

Whichever tradition that has the resources you want and are included in it. I’ve picked up several because resources were scattered across different traditions 👍😁👌 Remember, it’s for research 👍

Ted Sherwood

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030567#Comment_1030567

Thank you EastTN. Very helpful.

DAL, sure I can do that after I have purchased something. The very fact that I am quite OK with studying across traditions is my challenge now: I am only up to the stage of buying LOGOS for the first time, and unless I spend a great deal of money, I am forced to pick a tradition. But now that the gun at EastTN's head has worked, I think I'll go for the Standard and supplement with individual resources across the traditions. (Still leaves Starter and up as the choice though.)

Bill Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030571#Comment_1030571

This time around I purchased Standard Diamond and Anglican Bronze. I'm toying with the idea of buying Pentacostal Bronze because my price is $65 and for that price I get the Life Application Bible Commentary. That retails at $199. Most of the rest of the stuff in the Pentacostal Bronze package is useless to me, but I probably won't be able to get that one commentary set for a lower price. That's an example of what others are saying by picking up a lower tier denominational package. They have some good resources that you couldn't buy cheaper otherwise.

Ted Sherwood

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030595#Comment_1030595

Bill, your contribution, has, I think, has led to a minor (Logos) ephiphany. Buying Pentacostal Bronze for $65 - way below the cost of that product if you had started Logos with it - tells me that the price of the second tradition when you building is way less than shown on the site. My question is now whether than pricing applies when I start with Logos: is the cost of two traditions the total of the price of each them, or do you get the discount that you are talking about?

Richard Villanueva

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030596#Comment_1030596

is the cost of two traditions the total of the price of each them, or do you get the discount that you are talking about?

It sounds like you are describing what Logos calls "Dynamic Pricing" Disregard my comment if you are already aware of it, but Dynamic Pricing is Logos way of making sure that you don't pay for a resource twice.

Let's say you buy Base Package A that has 200 resources. You then want to buy Base Package B that has 100 resources, 50 of which are also included in Package A, which you already own. Logos has some wild formula that calculates a valued discount to make sure you receive a discount that sets a value for the 50 Resources you already paid for.

Sometimes it's a real steal. I am looking to purchase the Academic Professional BP for under $250, specifically because it will include TDOT ($699) and ICC ($1570). Not too interested in ICC... but... it may help me out with Dynamic Pricing for my next purchase. I'm just stoked I can get TDOT plus some other stuff for 65% off, the same strategy Bill is contemplating for the Life Application Commentary set.

If you were looking to purchase two Base Packages in one go, you should contact sales, from my understanding, buying two Base Packages online may not give you a proper Dynamic Pricing discount.

Ted Sherwood

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030610#Comment_1030610

Another very helpful post. Thanks Richard. (Logos website very pretty but nowhere near helpful enough for first-timers. I can see no mention of Dynamic Pricing. In fact the search box is only for products.

PetahChristian

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030612#Comment_1030612

I can see no mention of Dynamic Pricing.

Dynamic pricing won't appear until you make your first purchase. Once you own some resources, other collections which happen to contain some of what you own, will have a lower price:

If you're just looking for information about dynamic pricing, this link might be helpful:

https://www.logos.com/dynamic-pricing

Ted Sherwood

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030617#Comment_1030617

Thank you for the example. (And if Logos staff ever read the forum so that they can improve their business: Yes, I found the page on Dynamic Pricing by using site:logos.com. But I shouldn't have to. There is no search function on the site, and the site map is at a high level. The other issue is that there is no mention of any saving when buying more than one tradition as a new user. Without this forum I would have been lost.)

Richard Villanueva

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030619#Comment_1030619

And if Logos staff ever read the forum so that they can improve their business:

If it is any consolation to you, the FL staff does check the Forums (Bob the CEO of FL and other Executives as well). I know they start threads asking for insight and chime in when they see fit, usually open to suggestions, ideas, and challenges.

I personally think the Forum Community is probably one of the best things FL has going for it - nothing against customer service, but the first few years of me forum-stalking during L4-L5 was a tremendous help. Between The Forum, Logos Pro Videos, and a driven curiosity, I've done well learning the ropes (admittedly not as experienced as most power-users, but I'm a confidently functional user.)

You should definitely stick around and ask as many questions in new threads as possible.

William Gabriel

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030292#Comment_1030292

The one you pick is the one you’ll be judged by in eternity. Think of this as your Divergent choosing ceremony on a spiritual level.

William, surely you're jesting?

Of course--I tried to lay it on pretty thick.

Michael S.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030758#Comment_1030758

Aren't there also some Scholar's packages too?

-Michael

PetahChristian

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030764#Comment_1030764

Aren't there also some Scholar's packages too?

Are you thinking of the Logos 8 Academic packages?

Michael S.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030783#Comment_1030783

Are you thinking of the Logos 8 Academic packages?

YES!! Thanks.

Michael S.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1030783#Comment_1030783

Logos 8 Academic

Interesting that this does not come with a free Mobile Ed course...

Justin Gatlin

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1031024#Comment_1031024

From a Baptist pastor who did Diamond in Logos 5, Collectors in Logos 6 and who has now been more selective in 7 and 8 (since I already have most of what I want): the peak library for a generalist, evangelical preacher is standard Gold. I am grateful for a massive library purchased over a number of years, but if I had it to do over, Gold is the place to start.

The lowest price will come by subscribing to Faithlife Connect (so your software is always up to date) and then opting out of buying the datasets on Standard Gold. That will give you good commentaries, good dictionaries and an overall strong foundation, you will have an annual subscription, but it comes with some other perks (two free books a month, on top of Logos' free ones). If you ever decide to quit renewing, you can buy the feature set you know you will use at a subscriber discount. Plus you got a discount on the base package (I think 5%) which probably covers the subscription.

For supplementing, Factbook collection has got a lot of valuable books at a low price. If you are into the original languages, see what it would cost to add the academic package. For me it was a great deal. If not, I would just go with Gold until you see what you would like that you do not have, and look at tradition base packages to scratch that itch.

Ted Sherwood

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1031042#Comment_1031042

Thank you Justin I'm a member of a Baptist community now, and am not too far from your preacher description, so a powerful recommendation for me. And the purchase + subscription option hadn't been mentioned yet, so I'm glad I didn't rush. Thank you again.

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