Next fall I will begin seminary. For anyone who has used Logos in seminary, what are the ways in which it helped you (besides studying the languages)?
I found it helpful in the following ways:
I found Logos to be most helpful in my preaching class. If you have a high enough base package (Gold or higher) you can pretty much prepare an entire sermon without going to the library. It makes the process so much more efficient. And I took preaching before Logos came out with the Sermon Editor, so I would imagine the Sermon Editor would help even more.
It was also helpful (as you mentioned) for my Greek class because you can use Logos to make flash cards to practice vocabulary so you don't have to carry a big stack of cards around. If your professor uses Mounce, there is are Faithlife users that have already created and shared Mounce vocabulary word list documents that you can save to your Logos without having to build them from scratch.
It helped get me started with my research on the exegesis papers (text comparison, word study, bible dictionary entries), but you will still have to go to the library to complete your research for your papers. But Logos helped jump start my research. And if you use a resource in your library for your paper Logos will automatically build a bibliography entry for the resource. You can create clippings files within Logos from the items that you use from your library, and make a bibliography automatically from all the resources in your clippings document.
The web app means you can access your Logos library on any computer that is connected to the internet (that was helpful when I had a super heavy laptop and didn't always want to bring it to campus). I used the mobile app on my smart phone to pull up bible texts in class, including Greek/Hebrew texts, so I didn't have to lug my study bible around everywhere. (I wish the Logos store carried more academic level study bibles like New Oxford Annotated, New Interpreter's, or Harper Collins, but alas, no.) There are a bunch of other things I use it for but those are the major ones that helped me through seminary. Not having to go to the library for everything (especially to access reference works) is the main benefit.
If you can afford it I would recommend you get the Platinum package. You'll have all the language resources you need and a bunch of commentaries (although I don't know what the Logos 8 libraries are going to look like). Don't forget to checkout some of the denominational packages, even if it isn't your denomination, because some of them have some pretty good resources in them that aren't in the standard package. But even if you get a lower package Logos will still be helpful in working with the biblical text itself.
First you have your own library system and that is the first thing you will tap into before using the seminary library. Second, the software can assist greatly learning biblical language, and in preaching having everything right there helped especially taking language and other classes at the same time. Had to use 5 commentaries once within the last 40 years and that was very easy in the bible software and very hectic in the seminary library. You will rely on Logos Bible Software for almost everything.
what are the ways in which it helped you
The number one use of Logos for me is as a "digital library." The ability to search an entire library (!) is spectacular. The ability to make highlights and review them, and to "cut and paste" quotes is a life saver.
I found it indispensable for writing papers. I did my undergraduate work a long time ago, when you had to do all of your research with paper books in a physical library. Logos not only gave me immediate access to a substantial library, but the various search tools effectively gave me a research assistant. It truly multiplied my effectiveness as a researcher.
Be blessed as you start Seminary!! I would echo the sentiments said here as well. Logos made me feel like I had a head-start and allowed me to get INTO the work I needed to do more quickly.
In addition to the other comments,
The first week I went through the theological library wondering, "How many of these books do I have on my phone/library?" Certainly not all of them, but I began to count "I have that bookshelf, most of that one, half of that bookcase..." I don't say that to brag on my library, but to say after that visit, I had decided that Logos was going to save me the two-hour round trip of regularly visiting the University Library to study and write. I had a significant enough library to be able to do all my work at home and spend the extra commute time with either my family, ministry or drinking coffee.
As far as challenges -
I realize that some of my benefits come from building my library over the past 7 years, so jumping NEW into Logos may not give as much mileage and that learning to use Logos AND do seminary may be an additional challenge. But, I do know my wife and kids are thankful that I could do my homework and write at the kitchen table between 11PM-3AM instead of library visits on Saturdays.
If you can afford it I would recommend you get the Platinum package. You'll have all the language resources you need and a bunch of commentaries (although I don't know what the Logos 8 libraries are going to look like). Don't forget to checkout some of the denominational packages, even if it isn't your denomination, because some of them have some pretty good resources in them that aren't in the standard package.
Standard Platinum and Gold are great packages. I also think the Methodist and Wesleyan Gold-Platinum have some solid resources as well! I just have not been impressed with the Diamond for what it offers above the Gold and Platinum in other Denominational packages.
using it to take notes in class
I never used Logos to take class notes! Just Evernote. Any insight would be helpful, Graham.
using it to take notes in class I never used Logos to take class notes! Just Evernote. Any insight would be helpful, Graham.
No massive insights I'm afraid.
I used it to take notes on what was discussed in class, and when preparing for assignments etc.
I've followed the various discussions about the use of Logos Notes vs an external platform such as OneNote / Evernote (and have tried other platforms on different occasions) but having everything in one place is why I have stayed with notes in a Logos environment
I never used Logos to take class notes! Just Evernote. Any insight would be helpful,
I created a layout for each class along with a Notes Document, a Clippings Document, and a Highlighting Palette (that would save to my class specific Notes Document. I would put each class text in a tab so that I could quickly refer to each textbook. NOTE: If you are in a Southern Baptist Seminary you may find several required texts in the Faithlife Ebooks (formerly Vyrso) store.
I also use OneNote and create a Tab for each class with tabs for each day (My seminary has been done in a Seminar hybrid with pre-class reading/writing, a one-week intensive on campus, followed by more reading/writing). I find that OneNote works better for cataloging all the PDF's that our Professors posted on our LMS and the e-Ink option allows me to freehand diagrams in my notes, that I can't do in Logos. Switching between Logos and OneNote is very quick and easy.
Thank you all for the replies.
I found it helpful in the following ways: having access to a range of resources electronically as opposed to having to use the library using it to take notes in class being able to use the various Guides and Tools to quickly look up information and check what was being said
Yes!! Although the third use you suggest may not be possible. Logos has never been that fast for me:)
Next fall I will begin seminary. For anyone who has used Logos in seminary, what are the ways in which it helped you (besides studying the languages)? I found Logos to be most helpful in my preaching class. If you have a high enough base package (Gold or higher) you can pretty much prepare an entire sermon without going to the library. It makes the process so much more efficient. And I took preaching before Logos came out with the Sermon Editor, so I would imagine the Sermon Editor would help even more. It was also helpful (as you mentioned) for my Greek class because you can use Logos to make flash cards to practice vocabulary so you don't have to carry a big stack of cards around. If your professor uses Mounce, there is are Faithlife users that have already created and shared Mounce vocabulary word list documents that you can save to your Logos without having to build them from scratch. It helped get me started with my research on the exegesis papers (text comparison, word study, bible dictionary entries), but you will still have to go to the library to complete your research for your papers. But Logos helped jump start my research. And if you use a resource in your library for your paper Logos will automatically build a bibliography entry for the resource. You can create clippings files within Logos from the items that you use from your library, and make a bibliography automatically from all the resources in your clippings document. The web app means you can access your Logos library on any computer that is connected to the internet (that was helpful when I had a super heavy laptop and didn't always want to bring it to campus). I used the mobile app on my smart phone to pull up bible texts in class, including Greek/Hebrew texts, so I didn't have to lug my study bible around everywhere. (I wish the Logos store carried more academic level study bibles like New Oxford Annotated, New Interpreter's, or Harper Collins, but alas, no.) There are a bunch of other things I use it for but those are the major ones that helped me through seminary. Not having to go to the library for everything (especially to access reference works) is the main benefit. If you can afford it I would recommend you get the Platinum package. You'll have all the language resources you need and a bunch of commentaries (although I don't know what the Logos 8 libraries are going to look like). Don't forget to checkout some of the denominational packages, even if it isn't your denomination, because some of them have some pretty good resources in them that aren't in the standard package. But even if you get a lower package Logos will still be helpful in working with the biblical text itself.
Thank you for all of those helpful comments. You brought up some things I have never thought about. I have Logos 7 Diamond and I underutilize it simply because I have never had any helpful training that is aimed toward pastors or seminarians (Even the Morris Proctor training is not helpful).
Be blessed as you start Seminary!! I would echo the sentiments said here as well. Logos made me feel like I had a head-start and allowed me to get INTO the work I needed to do more quickly. In addition to the other comments, I used Logos to create a set of custom highlighters for my research. I used the clippings documents to gather information on assignments that I worked on over the course of several weeks. While it was not perfect, the Bibliography tool was helpful in compiling and starting my reference pages. Citations made things so easy to keep track of. It should be said again that being able to Search my whole library and utilize my guides was HUGE. The first week I went through the theological library wondering, "How many of these books do I have on my phone/library?" Certainly not all of them, but I began to count "I have that bookshelf, most of that one, half of that bookcase..." I don't say that to brag on my library, but to say after that visit, I had decided that Logos was going to save me the two-hour round trip of regularly visiting the University Library to study and write. I had a significant enough library to be able to do all my work at home and spend the extra commute time with either my family, ministry or drinking coffee. As far as challenges - It was a bummer to not have every one of my textbooks Logos-ready. I determined that the effort to buy the kindle book and then convert it into a personal book was not worth the effort - I tried it with a couple and just have not deemed it time-effective or give me a helpful enough result. I just bought Kindle or paper. Others may have differing opinions. The bibliography tool was not always as accurate as I needed it to be. Page Numbers!!! Not every resource had them. That was the one reason I had to make a trip to the Library, on a page number hunt. That was for anything that I could not find online in Google Books. I did end up (at that time) subscribing for $5/month to Galaxie, but that seems to be changing with new journal offerings here. I realize that some of my benefits come from building my library over the past 7 years, so jumping NEW into Logos may not give as much mileage and that learning to use Logos AND do seminary may be an additional challenge. But, I do know my wife and kids are thankful that I could do my homework and write at the kitchen table between 11PM-3AM instead of library visits on Saturdays. If you can afford it I would recommend you get the Platinum package. You'll have all the language resources you need and a bunch of commentaries (although I don't know what the Logos 8 libraries are going to look like). Don't forget to checkout some of the denominational packages, even if it isn't your denomination, because some of them have some pretty good resources in them that aren't in the standard package.
So much great information. Thank you. I have Logos Diamond and I have added things individually. And I will surely buy a class book in Logos if it is available.
That sounds great. What would they do? What was their purpose?
I use galaxy anytime I need journals. I cant always buy journals for Logos. I have various ones in my package and I bought a few.
I never used Logos to take class notes! Just Evernote. Any insight would be helpful, I created a layout for each class along with a Notes Document, a Clippings Document, and a Highlighting Palette (that would save to my class specific Notes Document. I would put each class text in a tab so that I could quickly refer to each textbook. NOTE: If you are in a Southern Baptist Seminary you may find several required texts in the Faithlife Ebooks (formerly Vyrso) store. I also use OneNote and create a Tab for each class with tabs for each day (My seminary has been done in a Seminar hybrid with pre-class reading/writing, a one-week intensive on campus, followed by more reading/writing). I find that OneNote works better for cataloging all the PDF's that our Professors posted on our LMS and the e-Ink option allows me to freehand diagrams in my notes, that I can't do in Logos. Switching between Logos and OneNote is very quick and easy.
Thank you for the tip. I am considering SEBTS.
I have never had any helpful training that is aimed toward pastors or seminarians
Does the series at https://www.logos.com/logos-pro/logos-7-intro-to-academic-and-theologian-study-series help at all?
I have never had any helpful training that is aimed toward pastors or seminarians Does the series at https://www.logos.com/logos-pro/logos-7-intro-to-academic-and-theologian-study-series help at all?
Graham, I've never seen this video series before, and I am loving it. Thank you for posting the link!
Hi Jon
So pleased you are finding it helpful
Graham
SEBTS is a great choice! I currently attend there (distance learning at the moment) and have loved it. Take anything you can with Danny Akin (I think he still teaches Hermeneutics once in a while) or Leiderbach. The classes I took from them rank among my favorites across my entire educational experience. If you can get David Allan Black for your languages you won't regret it (hes hard, but phenomenal)!
To answer your question, Logos is great anytime someone asks you to make a list of books you plan to consult for a paper. you can with a few clicks have a list of every book in Logos that is relevant, export it, and (then double check the entries - not all of them will be exactly right - but still less work than a library). It helps with original languages. Topical studies. I mean, imagine being able to walk into a library, and leave with every single book in the whole library that had anything to do with your topic, all opened to the right page. With linking, if you find a quote you like in a book, you can click it and read it in its context. I have found a number of quotes being used out of context in a way I'm not sure the original author wouldn't have supported. With Logos you can find those types of things. I think one of the best pieces of advice I received before seminary, actually even before bible college was to make sure I maintained my time in God's word. You'll spend a lot of time there for school, in class, in chapel, outside of class studying for class, and so forth... Its easy to let your own personal quiet time drop. Guard that time though its vital. Leiderbach has such a heart for the lost. One of the assignments in one of the classes I took with him was to share the gospel with someone and write about it. The day it was due he openly wept over one person accepting Christ. He loves the Lord deeply, he loves God's word, his students, and teaching. He likes tests, and I struggle with tests. But even so I wish I had taken more classes with him. If your a calvinist, there are professors that lean that way, if you're arminian there are professors that lean that way, or amyraldian, or even Keathley whose a molinist. Really, there are so many fantastic professors there with sharp minds, deep abiding love for the Lord and strong missions/evangelistic focus that you really cant go wrong. I may not mesh with one or two, but all in all from this students perspective in terms of producing students that will be involved in ministry, its the best the SBC has to offer. If Bruce Little likes you, you'll probably be published before you graduate if that is where you're heading then make sure to make a good impression.
SEBTS is a great choice! I currently attend there (distance learning at the moment) and have loved it. Take anything you can with Danny Akin (I think he still teaches Hermeneutics once in a while) or Leiderbach. The classes I took from them rank among my favorites across my entire educational experience. If you can get David Allan Black for your languages you won't regret it (hes hard, but phenomenal)! To answer your question, Logos is great anytime someone asks you to make a list of books you plan to consult for a paper. you can with a few clicks have a list of every book in Logos that is relevant, export it, and (then double check the entries - not all of them will be exactly right - but still less work than a library). It helps with original languages. Topical studies. I mean, imagine being able to walk into a library, and leave with every single book in the whole library that had anything to do with your topic, all opened to the right page. With linking, if you find a quote you like in a book, you can click it and read it in its context. I have found a number of quotes being used out of context in a way I'm not sure the original author wouldn't have supported. With Logos you can find those types of things. I think one of the best pieces of advice I received before seminary, actually even before bible college was to make sure I maintained my time in God's word. You'll spend a lot of time there for school, in class, in chapel, outside of class studying for class, and so forth... Its easy to let your own personal quiet time drop. Guard that time though its vital. Leiderbach has such a heart for the lost. One of the assignments in one of the classes I took with him was to share the gospel with someone and write about it. The day it was due he openly wept over one person accepting Christ. He loves the Lord deeply, he loves God's word, his students, and teaching. He likes tests, and I struggle with tests. But even so I wish I had taken more classes with him. If your a calvinist, there are professors that lean that way, if you're arminian there are professors that lean that way, or amyraldian, or even Keathley whose a molinist. Really, there are so many fantastic professors there with sharp minds, deep abiding love for the Lord and strong missions/evangelistic focus that you really cant go wrong. I may not mesh with one or two, but all in all from this students perspective in terms of producing students that will be involved in ministry, its the best the SBC has to offer. If Bruce Little likes you, you'll probably be published before you graduate if that is where you're heading then make sure to make a good impression.
Thank you for such a long reply!! Very helpful. Sadly, because none of the SBC schools do the federal loan program, I am forced to consider another seminary. I too am doing a distance program. The best that I have found that fit my needs are Western seminary and Columbia Biblical Seminary. I would really like your opinion on my current options. There are pro's and cons to each and I would like some good advice for my current concerns.
I'm not really famliar with either of the other two options. I will say that I was certain I would be unable to attend SEBTS this term, and thus would have been a full calender year without attending a class, and so would have had to re-apply or appeal to them to keep me on the books for another semester without having taken a class. BUT in the 11th hour the Lord provided some funding from a surprising vector and I was able to register for not one, but two classes (2045$ after the 50% sbc discount).
IF SEBTS is the direction the Lord is leading you, then He will make tuition possible.
I'm not really famliar with either of the other two options. I will say that I was certain I would be unable to attend SEBTS this term, and thus would have been a full calender year without attending a class, and so would have had to re-apply or appeal to them to keep me on the books for another semester without having taken a class. BUT in the 11th hour the Lord provided some funding from a surprising vector and I was able to register for not one, but two classes (2045$ after the 50% sbc discount). IF SEBTS is the direction the Lord is leading you, then He will make tuition possible.
My general question I have been having for some time is whether I should get an MDiv or an M.A.
Liberty University's online program is SACS accredited, so they do federal student loans. As far as MDIV vs. M.A., what do you want to do with it?
Yes, I know. I am leaning toward the MDIV because I want to do pastoral ministry. The only reason the MABTS has come up is for two reasons: (1) I will hate repeating an obnoxious amount of classes in the MDIV I have already taken in my UG Christian ministry degree and (2) I will hate having to spend another 4 years slaving over a degree.
If I took the MABTS I would add some classes like preaching, counseling, and a guided internship with my pastor.
For me, I wanted an MDIV back in 2007, but I needed to do it online, and I wanted to take original languages. I chose Liberty University, but they did not offer Hebrew and Greek online, so I got a M.A. in religion, which is half of a MDIV. I saw in the last couple of years that they offered languages online now (Michael Heiser is actually the professor for Hebrew Exegesis), so I started back to finish up my MDIV. All of the MAR classes transferred into the new program. I understand that I won't be teaching at Harvard with a degree from Liberty, but I love it and it suits my needs. I have gotten federal student loans through the school throughout.
