Theology/Denomination Tags

Thanks! I took a peak at this and I was surprised there was no theology: premillenial but there was one for amillenial.  Is that tag in the works?

I'm happy to add it if anyone can find a reliable list of premillennial authors to start it off (or any other theological grouping for that matter).

The latest edition of the spreadsheet is: 4314.Denominations and Theology - 26 September 2016.zip

The reference guide is: 0763.Theology and Denomination Tag Reference - 5 April 2016.doc

Thanks for all your meticulous work to do this. [Y] Personally I think it would be amazing if this was incorporated directly into the Logos software but I also know that there are challenges with that.

The latest edition of the spreadsheet is: 4314.Denominations and Theology - 26 September 2016.zip

The reference guide is: 0763.Theology and Denomination Tag Reference - 5 April 2016.doc

Thanks for all your meticulous work to do this. Personally I think it would be amazing if this was incorporated directly into the Logos software but I also know that there are challenges with that.

The latest edition of the spreadsheet is: 4314.Denominations and Theology - 26 September 2016.zip

The reference guide is: 0763.Theology and Denomination Tag Reference - 5 April 2016.doc

Thanks for all your meticulous work to do this. Personally I think it would be amazing if this was incorporated directly into the Logos software but I also know that there are challenges with that.

      

 

Thanks for the positive feedback, Bruce and Gao.  I agree that it would be good if Logos took this on properly.  Apart from meaning I wouldn't spend so much time on this, we could also deal with the 21 non-unique names in the spreadsheet, such as William Alexander, Charles Brown and Douglas Campbell, by using unique reference IDs instead of names.  It may also encourage them to de-duplicate, so that people like David John Atkinson and D. Round aren't entered twice.  (Filter spreadsheet subcategory = Not Unique and subcategory = Duplicate.)

The latest edition of the spreadsheet is: 5466.Denominations and Theology - 28 January 2017.zip

The reference guide is: 0763.Theology and Denomination Tag Reference - 5 April 2016.doc

Rather than add hundreds of new authors this time, I have mainly been checking the nearly 7000 authors already present against Bibliographical Dictionaries and Encyclopedia entries in Logos resources.  The spreadsheet now records whether the authors are mentioned in works such as the Baptist Encyclopedia, Book of Saints, Jewish Encyclopedia, Lutheran Cyclopedia, SDA Encyclopedia and the massive Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, along with its supplement and addenda (see the spreadsheet notes page for the complete list so far).  This has allowed extra data to be added for existing authors, though it is clear that there is a minor discrepancy in the dates of birth and death for many authors.  I've tended to favour the most recent publication.

I've also added theology categories for amillennialist, premillennialist, postmillennialist, annihilationist, theistic evolutionist and creationist.  The spreadsheet differentiates some young earth and old earth proponents as well.  I'm open to other suggestions, particularly if they are backed up by reliable starter lists of candidates.

As always, feel free to make suggestions, corrections, etc. and I'll try to add them as soon as I can.  I've updated all the collections available through the Faithlife Group as well (https://faithlife.com/logos-library-theology-denomination-tags/about).

Note that the spreadsheet contains far more information than the collections in the Faithlife Group, but it is too unwieldy to create all the collections that could be created from the data in the spreadsheet, such as denominations with fewer authors and bespoke groups such as Female Lutherans, nineteenth-century Anglicans and 'either sixteenth-century or Catholic'.

I would love it if the data here was available directly in Logos, as suggested here (https://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-7/suggestions/9285627-library-hierarchy-and-filtering), and part of a larger database of biblical issues and stances, as suggested here (https://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-7/suggestions/17871697-create-a-database-of-biblical-issues-and-stances-w). If you appreciate this project, please consider supporting at least the second of these ideas by clicking the link, signing in and voting.  Thanks.

I just added votes to both suggestions. I am grateful for all the hard work that has been done with this! 

I just added votes to both suggestions. I am grateful for all the hard work that has been done with this! 

Many thanks, Matthew.

Some of us are just learning that the collection filters caches are rebuilt every time the application starts. If Logos could implement some type of theological/denominational tagging, it would certainly speed up the application launch for anyone who values the convenience of these types of collections.

I don't keep these as permanent collections. I just use the rule to filter my library, tag the resources accordingly and then use the tag as a filter if I require it when running  search.

Phil recently posted that FL is discussing how to incorporate Denominations and Theological tagging into Logos:

"This is definitely something we'd like to do. We've been discussing it internally and want to make sure we approach it in the right way. Once we have an agreed-upon approach, it's just a matter of timing when to do the work."

Phil recently posted that FL is discussing how to incorporate Denominations and Theological tagging into Logos:

"This is definitely something we'd like to do. We've been discussing it internally and want to make sure we approach it in the right way. Once we have an agreed-upon approach, it's just a matter of timing when to do the work."

Looking forward to this as an added feature.

Phil recently posted that FL is discussing how to incorporate Denominations and Theological tagging into Logos:

"This is definitely something we'd like to do. We've been discussing it internally and want to make sure we approach it in the right way. Once we have an agreed-upon approach, it's just a matter of timing when to do the work."

Thanks for the cross-post.  I would have missed it otherwise.  

Those who use this project may want to see one of the ways I see this developing here: https://community.logos.com/forums/p/133058/918806.aspx#918806 and consider voting for the new development here: https://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-7/suggestions/17871697-create-a-database-of-biblical-issues-and-stances-w

Logos have only taken on the Denomination/Theology project because of all the interest shown in it.  Votes count, and it's taken five years for them to get round to discussing an approach to it.  The project may be controversial (it certainly was at the start at least), but it's useful and could be increasingly so.

Andrew, thanks so much for putting this together - it's a fantastic resource. 

On opening it on my Mac, running the latest version of Excel as of November 2017, Visual Basic gives a compile error, "Can't find project or library." 

Any ideas?

Andrew, thanks so much for putting this together - it's a fantastic resource. 

On opening it on my Mac, running the latest version of Excel as of November 2017, Visual Basic gives a compile error, "Can't find project or library." 

Any ideas?

Thanks for the encouragement.

It would be great if someone else was able to step in on this one.  Randy W. Sims did the work on the macros that generate the rules.  If he was able to help that would be greatly appreciated.

If no-one steps in soon, I'll try to look into it, or at least try to publish a copy without macros, which I'm assuming would work.

Also, I'll add another request that those who appreciate this project might like to consider voting for a project that builds on this one here: https://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-7/suggestions/17871697-create-a-database-of-biblical-issues-and-stances-w 

There's a longer explanation here: https://community.logos.com/forums/t/133058.aspx 

and here:  https://community.logos.com/forums/p/133058/918806.aspx#918806 

Thanks again for the encouragement.

Andrew, thanks so much for putting this together - it's a fantastic resource. 

On opening it on my Mac, running the latest version of Excel as of November 2017, Visual Basic gives a compile error, "Can't find project or library." 

Any ideas?

Thanks for the encouragement.

It would be great if someone else was able to step in on this one.  Randy W. Sims did the work on the macros that generate the rules.  If he was able to help that would be greatly appreciated.

I keep hoping VB.* will die, but every time I think it's gone... It comes back again. It's a tool of the devil. To make programmers cuss and throw stuff. How about C++, C#, Perl, or Ruby. I'd even take Python or Java over VB. Oh, well... Let's see...

Just giving a brief look, I'm guessing it's my use of the Microsoft Scripting Library (for the Dictionary/Hash) which isn't available on Mac (says Google; I don't have a Mac to test on). I'd have to find an alternative or code around it... 

Does the error prevent the spreadsheet from opening? You don't actually need to run any code to use the sheet. The code is mainly for Andrew when he updates the tables. Does the error prevent you from viewing the Workbook? Can you dismiss it and continue?

Mmm, I think OLE should probably be removed from the References too. (Alt+F11 to Code Editor, Tools => References menu)

I keep hoping VB.* will die, but every time I think it's gone... It comes back again. It's a tool of the devil. To make programmers cuss and throw stuff. How about C++, C#, Perl, or Ruby. I'd even take Python or Java over VB. Oh, well... Let's see...

One advantage of Python is that it is free.  I believe that it is open source while Java is 'owned'. 

The PROBLEM is that changing languages requires a total rewrite of the code. Have Fun!  [[And thanks]] 

'free' and 'owned' are independent things; both are under license (nothing isn't).

Java SE is free; the advanced enterprise versions (not relevant here) are not. 

cf. https://www.aspera.com/en/blog/understanding-oracle-java-se-licensing/

Thank you Andrew for your continued efforts to keep your work up to date. I have meticulously used it to tag all of my library which increases its usefulness. Your work is appreciated.

The spreadsheet excludes the VBA Project code, as suggested above.  I was surprised to find that removing the code reduced it from over 13 MB to just over 2MB. 

I'm not sure why Excel does this. But you can re-import the code back in to the no-macro file, add reference back to Microsoft Scripting Runtime (the ref was removed when saved without macros), and save as a macro enabled file and the file will stay at a little over 2 MB. I have no idea why the file bloats like that.

just checking in, haven't noticed any updates here in approaching a half year. any word on Logos adding this level of granularity into the software?

Bump. This is a good resource. Any updates? 

Cheers,
 ChelseaFC

Bump. This is a good resource. Any updates? 

Cheers,
 ChelseaFC

Is Chelsea gonna get a new manager again??  I think so.

Definitely, but we love Conte!!!! 

This all looks good and we could spend quite some time honing it between us.  My post was to make it look doable, and potentially useful.

However, my basic point is that Logos are willing to label resources for marketing purposes, as Rosie points out, so my request is that they simply add these tags to the actual resources within Logos and create collections based on them, thus saving hundreds or thousands of us creating these collections for ourselves. 

EXACTLY!!! The tagging is there when we search on the Logos.com website so why can't that just be integrated with searching one's library?

This is a very good point. I would greatly appreciate such a tagging. 

This is a very good point. I would greatly appreciate such a tagging. 

[*][*][*][*][*][Y]

Andrew - have you had the time to add any updates in the past year? Would love to see these updated for L8 as well.

Andrew, Here is a small modification that uses the new exact match operator (L7.15) to speed up library queries. I've only applied it to the "Author" field. I'm assuming the authors listed in the spreadsheet are all Exact Matches, otherwise results will be reduced. From what I can tell, the Publisher field isn't exact match, so I didn't apply the optimization on it. Eg the second rule in the sheet has a publisher "Mennonite" which matches on "Mennonite Book and Tract Society", "Mennonite Book Concern", "Mennonite Publishing", but there is no exact match for simply, "Mennonite". OTOH, the rule also includes "Herald Publishing" and the current non-exact match finds "Franciscan Herald Publishing", which is probably not intentional. Let me know if my assumptions are wrong.

In the "Rules" module, the last function, "JoinRuleElems" change the line:

[quote]

JoinRuleElems = Field & ":(" & StrList & ")"

To:

[quote]

If Field = "Author" Then
    JoinRuleElems = "{" & Field & " " & StrList & "}"
Else
    JoinRuleElems = Field & ":(" & StrList & ")"
End If

Andrew, Here is a small modification ...

Many thanks, Randy.  That seems to work for the first collection I tested it on at least. 

I think ideally I would remove all references to publishers and series, leaving just authors.  I would then add about another 1000 authors to cover Logos Ultimate (which incorporates all other base packages).  This would constitute quite a bit of work, which I've been reluctant to do, as Logos suggested that they were going to categorise all authors and allow this categorisation to be used to filter in the library, etc.  I'm assuming this would be a use of the new faceted sidebar, although I haven't seen any sign of denominations or theologies in Logos 8, never mind countries and dates, as in the spreadsheet that drives this project.  I've been holding off until Logos 8 arrived, thinking that it would make the spreadsheet obsolete.  Now it's arrived, I'm disappointed that there is still no sign of the functionality, but I am still reluctant to put in the work until I know what Logos' plans are.  If they plan to release something that will make my spreadsheet obsolete in the next six months, then I would feel I had been wasting my time.

Speaking of time, this has become much more scarce since I started this project and, with twins on the way, it's likely to become even more so.  There is no real incentive to continue with it, other than the knowledge that it's used by so many people (well over 1400 users in the group at the last count, never mind those who use the raw data more directly).  It has been hyped by Logos as being crowdsourced, but apart from your work on the macros, some initial input by a range of users, and the occasional suggestion since then, it has largely been down to me.  I would happily add well-attested reliable bulk data as I occasionally have but, other than that, it means a good bit of work to research individual authors.

Logos has basically shown no sign of rewarding me, assisting me or engaging with me on this, other than to promote the project on their blogs and in their videos.  (They did also create a new icon for the project.)  As I said, they haven't even given me any real indication as to whether it will become redundant and, if so, when.  If I thought it was worthwhile, I would continue, but without communication, it's impossible to tell.

Thanks again, Randy.  As you can see, my response is meant as a response not only to you, but as a general response to those who have been waiting for updates. I hope it's understandable.  Thanks for all the time you've put into the macros.

Any comments, Logos?  Phil Gons?  Anyone else?

Congrats on the kids Andrew!

I suspect if they were really planning to add this in, it would have happened by 8, if not chances are good it won't happen till 9. Between now and then lots of books will be released. They did tweak tagging for 8 though, not sure if that will solve our problem with collections.

Full time student, full time pastor. I get the no time bit. Maybe in the spring term I'll be able to do some things.

<snip />

... as Logos suggested that they were going to categorise all authors and allow this categorisation to be used to filter in the library, etc.  I'm assuming this would be a use of the new faceted sidebar, although I haven't seen any sign of denominations or theologies in Logos 8, never mind countries and dates, as in the spreadsheet that drives this project.  I've been holding off until Logos 8 arrived, thinking that it would make the spreadsheet obsolete.  Now it's arrived, I'm disappointed that there is still no sign of the functionality, but I am still reluctant to put in the work until I know what Logos' plans are.  If they plan to release something that will make my spreadsheet obsolete in the next six months, then I would feel I had been wasting my time.

<snip />

Andrew: we've done some initial work on categorizing denominational traditions and authors, and we're still planning on integrating this data into Library. It didn't make the cut for Logos 8.1: we're still working on it. But it's definitely still in the works.

Thank you for the good news!

we've done some initial work on categorizing denominational traditions and authors, and we're still planning on integrating this data into Library. It didn't make the cut for Logos 8.1: we're still working on it. But it's definitely still in the works.

Absolutely great news!! thank you.

Hi, Sean - Has this been added to the Library?

Hi, Sean - Has this been added to the Library?

We've made good progress on organizing the data, but there are other implementation tasks. It hasn't shipped yet, and I'm not sure when it will. 

We all hope it will ship, thanks for your work.

Bringing this back up. Because its worthy of happening.

[Y][Y]

[8-|]

Its been another month just bringing this back up.

Thanks: we're actively working on this data. 

Awesome! [:)]

Its been a couple years, any updates?

And where would you all put ... Church of Christ?

Leroy Brownlow - Author

Church of Christ

Why I am a member of the Church of Christ

And where would you all put ... Church of Christ?

Easy - check John Mark Hicks in Factbook (Restoration)

The latest Word document includes most of MJ's lists, though there are a few questions remaining.  These will have to wait for another time.  Life beckons...

0842.Logos Theology Tags.doc

In her list..... Under Baptist  ........... she could add...  First Baptis, Temple Baptist, Rockshell Baptist

A new category.... Church of Christ...... Instrumental, Non Instrumental, Non-Institutional, One Cup, Progressive.

And where would you all put ... Church of Christ?

Easy - check John Mark Hicks in Factbook (Restoration)

I don't think it's that easy....... Because the Church of Christ was before the Restoration Movement... It didn't come out of the Restoration Movement... as the Restoration Movement was just people trying to "get back to the Bible" thus the term "Restoration".

Its been a couple years, any updates?

This isn't particularly recent, but currently:

• We have a set of Factbook pages for a large (and growing) number of Denominational Groups (like https://ref.ly/logos4/Factbook?ref=bk.%25Anglicanism_Belief) and Denominations (like https://ref.ly/logos4/Factbook?ref=bk.%25AnglicanChurchInAotearoaNewZealandPolynesia_Denom)
• We have denominational associations for many authors. That information is displayed in the Factbook page subtitle for the author (like https://ref.ly/logos4/Factbook?ref=bio.jipacker), and also aggregated on the Factbook page for the Denomination/Group. 
• Passage Guide > Commentaries can be grouped by Denomination

Its been a couple years, any updates?

This isn't particularly recent, but currently:

• We have a set of Factbook pages for a large (and growing) number of Denominational Groups (like https://ref.ly/logos4/Factbook?ref=bk.%25Anglicanism_Belief) and Denominations (like https://ref.ly/logos4/Factbook?ref=bk.%25AnglicanChurchInAotearoaNewZealandPolynesia_Denom)
• We have denominational associations for many authors. That information is displayed in the Factbook page subtitle for the author (like https://ref.ly/logos4/Factbook?ref=bio.jipacker), and also aggregated on the Factbook page for the Denomination/Group. 
• Passage Guide > Commentaries can be grouped by Denomination

Thanks for all the work your team is doing on this Sean. It is a massive task.

Is it currently possible to do searches within denominations?