Logos 6 Buyer's Guide: Starter editions

Since the launch of Logos 4, I've tried to write Buyer's Guides to Logos Base packages. Here are my belated opinions on Logos 6 Starter packages. Starter is suitable for those looking for an entry-level package, who aren't working with the original languages. (There are also guides for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum editions.)

Starter includes several English Bibles (though it's missing the NIV, NCV, NKJV and GNT), reverse interlinears, lectionaries, maps, images, interactive resources, and a handful of dictionaries, one-volume commentaries and theologies. Tools include only limited Bible Word Study, Passage Guide and Exegetical Guide functionality. It's very light on lexicons.

Anglican Starter also adds several dozen books on theological topics, mostly written by Anglicans or about Anglicanism. The most valuable addition is undoubtedly N.T. Wright's New Testament for Everyone Series ($199.95), which is superior to the one-volume commentaries it replaces. NCV and NKJV replace the HCSB and NET Bible. The devotional works and commentaries are replaced with those that reflect Anglican thinking (there's a strong emphasis on the lectionary).

Baptist Starter swaps out many resources for equivalents more in the Baptist tradition. NKJV, NCV and GNT replace the NRSV, RSV and NET. The New Bible Dictionary ($39.95) is a welcome addition, but the Dictionary of Biblical Languages (DBL) and most lectionaries are gone. In their place are the works of Andrew Fuller ($59.95), John Dagg ($37.95), Augustus Strong ($99.95) and John Bunyan ($79.95), and a few books for ministry and preaching.

Lutheran Starter also has NCV and NKJV, this time at the expense of HCSB, NLT, Message and NET, and it's also missing the NIV reverse-interlinear (which means if you later buy the NIV, it won't have reverse-interlinear functionality). It has stronger commentaries than Starter, with the Lutheran Commentary [$174.95] and Keil and Delitzsch Commentary [$119.95], although that's at the cost of several small Bible dictionaries (including DBL) and some basic ministry/devotional works and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Also included is the English Septuagint [$24.95], Creeds of Christendom [$49.95], several historical and liturgical works, and two editions of both the Book of Concord and Luther Bibel.

Pentecostal/Charismatic Starter also swaps out resources for their equivalent, and loses a few Bibles (such as HCSB and NASB) and DBL. It's very weak on commentaries. In their place are several books on prayer and charismatic/Pentecostal theology, including Sam Storms' Theological Studies [$32.95].

Reformed Starter adds several books on biblical and theological topics (the most valuable additions are Battle's Calvin's Institutes [$69.95], and the Works of Jonathan Edwards [$119.95]), but has less on devotions, counselling or ministry. There are also some good works on early creeds, but fewer dictionaries and English Bibles (the GNT, HCSB, and NLT are all missing).

Verdict: Unless you're keen to get Wright's NT for Everyone series, Anglican Starter doesn't have much for the generalist, but may suit Anglicans who are Anglicans by conviction, rather than by accident. That's even more true of the Baptist Starter and Pentecostal/Charismatic Starter, but if you don't fall into those categories, Starter (for dictionaries), Lutheran Starter (for commentaries) or Reformed Starter (for theology) would be better choices.

Want more? You can read the entire guide to 37 base packages at my website: http://www.logosbiblesoftwaretraining.com/documents/logos-6-buyers-guide/