Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary

13 May 2012

Another View of Logos

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The three main Bible software programs today are Logos, BibleWorks, and Accordance. Logos and BibleWorks are mainly for the PC (though Logos now has a Macintosh version), while Accordance is exclusively a Mac product. BibleWorks and Accordance are commonly known for their emphasis on working with the original languages, while Logos is touted for its many text modules, so that one can have virtually one’s entire library in a digital format. I have personally observed that a number of our students who are preparing for foreign mission work have decided to get rid of their physical libraries and go the Logos route. However, here is a contrary view by someone headed for the foreign field, titled “Five Reasons Not to Buy Logos.”

7 Responses

  1. It actually isn’t fair saying that Logos is mainly for the PC but has a Mac version. The Mac version is every bit as good and as solid as the PC version is. What would be fair is to say that Logos is the only Bible software that works on both platforms, while Bibleworks is solely for the PC and Accordance is solely for the Mac.

  2. Bill Combs

    G. A.,
    I am not really in a position to dispute your assertion about the Mac version since I have no personal experience with it. I was sort of going on a number of comments I have picked up on in the last few months from individuals who have told me there are problems with the Mac version and that it does not have all the functionality of the PC version. But if the Mac version is equal to the PC version, then I am glad to hear it.

  3. Don Johnson

    A lot of good points in the article. I will note one advantage of Logos that first got me to use their product: Journals. Who can subscribe to all the Journals (including DBTS) that Galaxie software provides? Who can remember which Journal references which passages? I had the Journals in some old ancient legal software before they shifted to logos. I’ve had Logos ever since. I have bought some packages (mostly cheap ones) in the meantime. However, I do think that most Logos titles are well over-priced.

    Maranatha!
    Don Johnson
    Jer 33.3

  4. Rob

    when one considers the cost of shipping or carrying a library and the unpredictability of life in a foreign country, there is something to be said for a digital library. i started with a print library and recently switched to digital. i wish i would have done so much earlier. fewer physical belongings makes life less complicated.

  5. Tad Wychopen

    The review stated, “E-books have not yet found a medium that will be relatively future-proof.” The number of people reading books on tablets would probably make this statement seem a little dated. You can read Logos books well on any tablet. This makes the library so much more valuable than before.

    It probably would have been helpful if the author would have interacted more with Logos; he might have seen the benefit. The fact that you can search the books for what you are studying seems almost invaluable.

    Who knows, after 2,3, or more moves on the mission field, he might reconsider the size of his paper library. As far as the value; a missionary should probably factor in the moving costs for his book purchases. You may be able to find a better deal on Amazon or CBD, but you are also going to pay two arms, a leg, and possible a first-born to ship books around the globe. That makes the price skyrocket for paper books.

    The one criticism of Logos that I have actually found valid was not listed: the inability to loan books to someone. I can’t loan a helpful book to a church member through Logos. That is the one major downside.

    Just a few thoughts from a long time Logos user (9 years and counting) that has been to the field and back a few times, and even moved apartments a few times on the field.

  6. Mark Snoeberger

    Some very fine comments. I just read a research paper by an otherwise good student who apparently was limited to the use of materials available from an electronic library. I was graced with quotations from the Pulpit Commentary, Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, and other badly outdated, multi-volume sets that dearly need to be retired from common usage, but survive because they represent public-domain materials with a high volume count that add to the “wow” selling factor of electronic libraries.

    There are advantages to electronic research–physical size, storage and transportation costs, keyword searching (though that’s a bit overrated), etc. But the initial cost of quality resources really isn’t one of them. Sure, I’ve got my obligatory Logos collection with thousands of resources each costing less than a dollar!! But I’ll never use 95% of them, so the cost of the worthy titles just increased twentyfold.

  7. Michael Hupfer

    This article resonated well with me. I’ve been saying these same things for years. If you want to dump $100s if not $1000s into tons of books you don’t want in a format with no guarantee of compatibility in the future, then go for it.

    The books that are commonly most valued in Logos are the commentaries, and the feature of Logos most commonly valued is the search capabilities. But aren’t commentaries the easiest books to search anyway? If I have a question about about Romans 5:12 I can easily find the discussions in my print copies of Moo, Schreiner, Morris, and Murray. If I need more information beyond those works, I need to go to a real library and find other quality works. The outdated public domain stuff on Logos will provide no addition help.

    Also, I love sitting at my desk and looking up at my books on the shelves. Hard drives can’t compete with that.