I have long been one of those book snobs who looks down his glasses-indented nose at people whose primary book source is computer software. I think it was because I knew people who used Bible software as a substitute for studying, and I think there’s something spiritual that happens when someone studies the Bible well. Plus I never could see myself reading a significant book on a computer screen.
I recently changed my mind… here’s why I’m jumping into Bible Software… Last year I got a kindle, and learned that it actually is really easy to read on an electronic device. I also got a smart phone and started reading on it constantly – seldom large books, but it is often my first go to device for answers… about anything. I then simultaneously noticed how much I was learning from blogs and computer resources… but was also getting frustrated at how temporary and cheap they are. (google– “reasons why John Mayer quit twitter”).– It occurred to me that while blogs, tweets, etc are interesting, they’re seldom crafted as well as good books, books that I could be reading on a computer. Lastly, social media – Facebook, G+, twitter, Linked in – I sometimes want to share/post what I’ve read.. and it’s harder with real books.
The good folks hooked me up with a copy of Logos Bible Software almost a month ago. I just jumped in – I still haven’t bothered to watch any of the user videos, or read the manual… I just started using it.
What is Logos Bible Software?
I think my most pleasant surprise is just trying to figure out what Logos is. I’m used to a pretty straight formula for Bible Software – you get a CD, and install software that looks like it was written for Windows 95, hope it doesn’t crash, while you look at a cluttered screen trying to show off how much information of marginal use is at your finger tips. Logos is very different.
Logos is an entire information eco system. I was really pleasantly impressed. Logos’ servers and services allows users to access books and other resources from any of several device. There’s the Windows and Mac software clients (which are actually pretty and run quickly), internet sites, and phone apps. Gone are the days of CDs and slow Windows installs. Say you’re a Logos user and you want to use the ESV Study Bible. You can purchase it online very easily. Next time you run the computer program it seamlessly downloads the new book without you having to do anything, and it’s there – working as though it was always available. You log on to www.Biblia.com and the book is also there, and you open your smartphone app, and the new book is there too, synchronized to where you left off reading on your computer. I have not completely figured out some parts of this but most of it works seamlessly. I love this part – say you’re reading a book on your phone at an airport somewhere, next time you log on to your windows machine, the software has it synchronized to where you last left off. Lots of books are available, and when purchased through Logos, they’re available anywhere you are, right where you left off. – Honestly, this is the part of Logos that completely blew me away.
Logos is also a research toolbox. The computer and web software has lots of ways of getting Bible answers and giving insight to Bible studies and topics. I could get use to this. For me the Bible is unique among books I read because when I study the Bible I need a half dozen books open. Translations, study guides, original languages, dictionaries, etc – and I have an annoying patterns of laying books out on my (physical) desktop and going between them. Annoying because of the space it takes up and because all the synchronized page turning. I know it seems odd to some of you, but it’s really amazing how much it opens up if you can see a lot of information coming together. Logos does this on your computer desktop. You can figure out what books you would like opened, and set a “layout” so it opens them for you just the way you like it. You can “link” windows – so as you scrolled through say a Bible passage, the notes or other Bible helps scroll with you. There’s also some really good resources that I’d never think of until it pops up on a search. You can search for topics or passages and the software finds relevant information.
Crazy story – my senior pastor was away at Disney World a couple weeks ago and one of our church members passed away. Bad times for Sam. I am not really great at funerals. I was meeting with the family, and I was on my phone and looked up “funeral” in Logos, and it (no joke) came up with a Practical Pastor book chapter on how to talk to a family before a funeral. – It seems stiff, but it gave some practical help that I really was able to use.
Still Diving In
I’m still learning – It’s one of those programs that has a lot more to it than meets the eye. As I learn, I’m planning on sharing more about the different clients. But I know a lot of you are serious about studying the Bible. – This is a great tool for you to start using. The packages start pretty reasonably – I think you can even get a bunch of books for free.
Check out http://biblia.com for a great web Bible interface.
www.Logos.com for basic packages – Get a free John Piper Book in December! (also all base packages are 15% off right now.)
or http://vyrso.com/ for Christian Books (Get Free John Piper Book)
