Geek, Scholar, Pastor, Student or something else? Maybe all?
I find myself reading the Logos forums quite frequently, just to know whats going on (although my own comments are less frequent). I am usually not looking for personal advice about my bible study, but rather am I curious about the technology itself. This is actually also true with any other piece of software that I use.
When I was a student I used Logos for my greek and hebrew studies, as well as kind of a "christian" version of OneNote; i.e. I wrote my study notes there (which I am glad I did, by the way). I could also have used it for looking up certain topics, but wikipedia often proved to do the job well enough for my needs. When I needed *more* I usually had to go to the library anyway. Now that my seminary time is over I use the software far less; only for the occasional sermon preparation or followup on my own bible study. It grieves me to say, but to be honest, my main interest in the software is of the geeky nature. The digital processes, the bells and whistles usually impress me more than the actual results that Logos creates.
I am just wondering how you look at the software? Are you the same as I: the geek, or are you more of the scholar, pastor or the student. Maybe something else? Maybe all of them?
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I consider myself a student-scholar. I prize the knowledge logos puts at my command. I am not really interested in the software as long as it works.
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I just graduated last week and am currently "mr. mom" while I look for a church. I am browsing the forums quite regularly. I am sure part of it is boredom. I have been in classes for four years and don't know what to do with myself... [;)] Hopefully a good church in Michigan will come along soon!
Justin
macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
Choose Truth Over Tribe | Become a Joyful Outsider!0 -
Sakarias,
I think if you spend much time here you'll find a few geeks, but mostly pastors, seminary students, and laypersons who are attracted to Logos for what it accomplishes and not so much for the bells and whistles. Some are very technically proficient, even software developers, but are usually more interested in Logos for the studying they can do with it.
That's why many of us have large libraries of resources (which, by the way, increases greatly the day-in, day-out usefulness of Logos as a tool rather than a piece of software). We use the software for studying and preparation. Other lighter users take delight in some of the tools like Biblical People and Bible Places, the devotional resources, Bible reading plans, prayer journal, and so on. They don't do heavy study, may never work in the original languages and often have small libraries, but rely on Logos as the major avenue of the Bible study they do do in their life.
I am in the pastor, heavy user group. The technology is fine, but for me it is a tool, not a technical marvel (though I am sure in some ways it is). I use it daily.
Pastor, North Park Baptist Church
Bridgeport, CT USA
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Sakarias, I am in the heavy user layman's camp. Having never had formal training in theology I use logos to make up for that lack. That has resulted in investing vast quantities of money into the product over the last year and a half (I now have just under 3000 resources).
I, like Mark, view Logos as a wonderfully beneficial tool for the breadth of knowledge that it gives. For me, whether I am studying Hebrew, Greek or just a random theological topic, the amount of resources available and the ease of use that the package affords has converted me from the "paper books are the best books" position.
All that being said, as I find new features it does bring out a bit of the geek in me and does make me smile!
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Sakarias Ingolfsson said:
I am just wondering how you look at the software?
For me, Logos is simply a took to enhance my Bible Study. I am interested in the software only as it contributes to this goal.
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Right now I'm stringing together three part time jobs, one of which is serving as an interim pastor. Logos helps shave a lot of time off my sermon prep so I can still get to all the things that I need to do. I'm a geek and earlier adopter at heart (but not in budget) Logos is cool in that regard but it is very practical to have most of my commentaries with me on my laptop if I have a spare minute for Bible study when I'm away from the home.
Prov. 15:23
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Layman, using Logos for around 15 years for Bible study.
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15" rMBP 2.6 GHz i7 | 16 GB RAM | 1.0 TB Flash Drive | OS X 10.12.3 | Logos 7.0 (7.3.0.0062)
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I consider myself a geek which is not mutually exclusive with any of the other categories. My personal use of Logos is mostly for my own study, reading, and prep for lay preaching or worship leading. Occasionally I'll also use it in my research for writing. But actually, since I'm an MVP and spend much time helping answer other people's questions on how to use Logos, I probably use it as much to reproduce scenarios others are having as I use it for my own purposes. Whenever a new beta comes out, I spend a certain amount of time just playing with it to learn the new features and find bugs to report.
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Sakarias Ingolfsson said:
I am just wondering how you look at the software? Are you the same as I: the geek, or are you more of the scholar, pastor or the student. Maybe something else? Maybe all of them?
I'm a layman, trying to teach myself theology in the "free" time. I stumbled over Logos just this year (or was lead this way by the Lord...) and see it as a very beneficial tool for studying theological topics, trying to understand the Greek behind the NT etc. It is IMO far superior to other bible software out there (noting that I don't do studies in exotic features of Hebrew grammar). I also like that the breadth of resources available helps me to see beyond my theological leaning into other traditions of christian faith. With a large paper-based library I wish I had my study-related resources all in Logos...
Concerning the software: I am impressed by many of the features that I discover by reading in the forums (such as changing words by use of a filter overlay - never dreamed of such stuff -, sympathetic highlighting etc.), I have just begun to edit a Reading Plan using database manipulation.
I participate in the forums, trying to give others advice if I can to sort of "give back" fo the help that I receive here. It's a great community!
Mick
Have joy in the Lord!
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I am a pastor who strives toward good scholarship and who more than likely qualifies as a geek.
Logos is for me a tremendous resource in library portability and access.
Sarcasm is my love language. Obviously I love you. 0 -
I am a student at theological college, a pastor and - before that - had 22 years in the IT industry.
So while my primary use of the software is for study - sermons, Bible studies, assignments, personal devotions, various questions from people I enjoy coming across interesting way in which the software works.
Graham
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I'm a hybrid geek-scholar-still trying to figure out what I'll do when I grow up. Right now I am serving on our church board, prepare short messages and just finished my first sermon. I also serve as a webmaster for a local ministry. I worked as a programmer and tech writer along with some QA.
My Bible training was in the dead tree 1980s, so I still use quite a few books, but I've determined that Logos pretty much makes the difference for me. I use both Win and Mac--can't imagine being completely one or the other although I do most things on the Mac out of habit.
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
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Sakarias Ingolfsson said:
I am just wondering how you look at the software? Are you the same as I: the geek, or are you more of the scholar, pastor or the student. Maybe something else? Maybe all of them?
I have the benefit of a bachelor's degree from a Bible college and a master's degree from the early 70's.
I was in Christian retailing and publishing for over 20 years and built a huge personal print library.
I have taught Sunday School for over 40 years.
I use Logos extensively in preparation for that class and for personal use. I enjoy digging deeper than the level that I wind up presenting to my class.
My print library gets very little use since I added Logos to my resources. I still add books that are not available in Logos.
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I would be classified as a "geek" in computers except with Logos.... for me its all about the resources, I just want it to work reasonably quickly.
I guess I see L4 as a portal to resources, a means to the end.
I am a pastor, church planter. I use it every day, my wife calls it "my other wife" [:D] She also says I am the "logos evangelist" I tell everybody about it, but most people just look at you with a "glossed over" look [:(]
L4 has been a HUGE blessing to me....
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