Discover YOUR Research Interest and Make Your Impact. . . Keep Reading the Signs!
One aspect of Logos Bible Software that I love the most is that the "Piggy Bank of Reading Plans" (see the post) operates on the principle of "Compounding Interest"! How so? Glad you asked (and it has nothing to do with money!)
I love the fact that all of my books can be added directly to my laptop: where it takes no space in my house, it takes no effort to sift through them, and makes no problems to set reading plans for all of them where I can read any book in just a small portion every day, and finish entire volumes in weeks! What a difference this tiny application has made in my understanding, awareness, and depth of knowledge in such a short time! It's no wonder the Greeks were so smart--all they had was books with no television!!
Psychology has proven that increasing your knowledge does more than just add a piece of previously unknown material--it effects every other piece of knowledge you already have around it! and thereby changing the way you now see each of those pieces, starting a domino effect in your life. Here's a good example--a man named Timothy in the deep woods of North Carolina has never experienced conventional schooling--no reading or writing. Timothy loved hunting deer and boar with his bow and arrow, traveled back to town and, being drawn by the picture of money above the door, walked into the local pawn shop and sold the hides for a modest sum. All the while, wondering what the rest of the buildings were that he passes by everyday, but keeping his interest in the one that pays him. One day on his way through town, he meets a beautiful girl, they fall in love, and she finally teaches him how to read. He took it reluctantly, challenging the need for it, but kept on because of his love for her. Then, one day, as he walked through town with his usual hides, he got reading the signs and found some of these buildings he was passing every day was a slaughter shop, a hunting store (probably a Bass Pro, right?! lol), and taxidermist. So he went in to see what they would offer and suddenly he became a big hit! Now, instead of tiny prophets from the pawn shop, he got paid what he was really worth for everything he hunted--the carcasses, the meat, & the skins--for a much better price, was featured in the paper for the largest hunted animals, became a local town celebrity, and began his own hunting school. He took what he was already interested in, and through the understanding he gained in reading the signs, his personal interest compounded into success for everyone: both the taxidermist's and hunter's shops became national franchises through the success of Timothy's hunting school, the slaughter shop turned out the best deer meat for everyone around town and each of the owners, once struggling to keep their doors open, now could retire because of Timothy's success.
In reality, what really changed? His travel route? No. Did the buildings change? No. It was his understanding he gained through (however reluctantly at first, mind you!) reading the signs! This didn't create new doors, it just opened his eyes to the doors that were already there, directing him to take his interest that God had already given him and compound it alongside the right people (i.e., not the pawn shop) who had the same. That is the way that big things happen.
Now apply this same principle of how reading the signs opens our eyes to our study of God's Word--we may know how we already understand it, but how many different ways to see it are we missing by not reading the signs from countless scholars (i.e., books) who have already opened their shops of expertise to us? Just look at all the different signs which the Scriptures give us to read--rhetorical, sociological, textual, literary, historical, and many countless others! If we don't keep reading the signs, we can't benefit, or be benefited by, the service each of these contribute. How many times do we pass by these open doors sitting on a shelf because we feel we just don't have the time to devote to these large tomes. But just imagine if every church had one expert in reading the signs for every area of Scripture's journey? My, My, My. . .
As one philosopher said, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Just imagine a tool that allows you to take these gargantuan volumes and easily and conveniently digest them little by little each and every day--that's the Logos Reading Plans. Each of us are scholars in the chrysalis, while no one scholar can be motivated by everything--the day YOU start reading the signs that click with YOUR interest, you are off to the races with a team of scholars! Imagine an entire country of people who simply took out 1 single hour every day of TV time (God forbid, right?) and devoted that time to an actual reading plan? How much difference would that make in their lives? In the lives of their family? Church? Community? Town? State? You get the picture. How many incredible scholars have we lost simply because we aren't intentional about reaching out to people? Maybe we would actually turn a depressed country into an interested one. Maybe we would turn ignorance, and apathy, into knowledge, and ambition.
God has success for all of us. We just need to keep reading the signs to compound our interest into a team working endeavor of knowledge and service--having your own Digital Library encourages this everyday.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
FREE 1100 VOLUME DIGITAL RESOURCE STARTER KIT
Hello
My beloved "Scholars-of-the-Twenty-First-Century"!!
I finally have put together a deal that allows Digital Resource Scholars to start out their library withouthaving to spend a single dime!! You'll start out with a Greek NT, English OT/NT Lexham English Bible, an OT Lexicon, and 1,100 original Greek Classics collection . . . For FREE!! Then once pay-day rolls around you can work on expanding your library to scholarly resources.
I
don't blame you for not believing me, so the proof is in the
pudding-->
Ok,
this link will set you up with latest updated Logos engine for free and that sets
all the capabilities, like searches (basic, bible, morph, and syntax), Digital
Library shelf, reading
plans, and everything else that Logos sets in place.
Now
Let's build you FREE Digital Library here, I put together for you the
over 1100 resources that Logos offers for free to get you started.
1
vol, (Old and New Testament) Lexham English Bible (LEB):
1100
vols, Perseus Greek/English Original Greek Classics Collection (e.g.,
Plato, Aristotle, Plutrach, Cicero, et al.) :
1
vol, The abridged Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB) Hebrew-English Old Testament
Lexicon
1
vol, Your very own Society of Biblical Literature Greek New Testament
There
you have it! Your FREE starter kit Digital Library. All you need to do from
here is
Get
trained in class
on Tues 930 in RH 113, set your reading plans, get studying, and add to
your resources a little at a time from here on.
See
you all in class!
Blessings,
Justin
W.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
NOTE TAKING ON STEROIDS. . .
As many of you well know, Logos has the ability to create within the software note files. Now, what is the advantage to a note file over a simple Word doc? Glad you asked--hyperlinked references make your personally created note file a part of your Digital Library intranet!
HYPERLINKED NOTE FILES!
Everything you note in your note file that quotes a resource in you personal Digital Library is hyperlinked to that resource in your library with an automatic footnote!! How amazing is that. That way, when you are finished, and you go back to look them over, any time you want to pop back to that original resource that you are quoting, you just need to click the link in your note file.
Check out these notes taken on Martin-Asensio's, Transitivity Based Foregrounding in the Book of Acts where every single box represents an expandable section of my personally created notes, and each blue-highlighted link is a hyperlink back to that specific section highlighted from the resource:
TBFAA:FGALP Matthieson
and Nesbitt
TBFAA:FGALP any
comparison of the language
TBFAA:FGALP Rhetorical
Criticism: The Case of Foregrounding
TBFAA:FGALP George
Kennedy
TBFAA:FGALP application
of argumentation,
TBFAA:FGALP all
human communication is rhetorical
TBFAA:FGALP it
is a … definition of them.
TBFAA:FGALP Malinowski’s
work
TBFAA:FGALP context
of situation
TBFAA:FGALP variety
of language … use or function
TBFAA:FGALP impossibility
of establishing … sense and reference
TBFAA:FGALP relativization
of the linguist’s metalanguage.
TBFAA:FGALP ‘macro-functions’:
the ideational, … and the textual.
TBFAA:FGALP its
lexicogrammatical features
TBFAA:FGALP The
elements of theme
TBFAA:FGALP aspect
is a common means of foregrounding in the epistolary literature of the New
Testament
TBFAA:FGALP central or invariant meaning of aspect
TBFAA:FGALP an author’s overall rhetorical/literary
agenda
TBFAA:FGALP functional correspondence between the
writings of St Paul and the rhetorical manuals of Graeco-Roman antiquity
TBFAA:FGALP exciting area of linguistic reasearch
TBFAA:FGALP key contributions to foregrounding theory
TBFAA:FGALP every item of lexico-grammar
TBFAA:FGALP ‘markedness’
TBFAA:FGALP no reference to causation
TBFAA:FGALP Nida’s is a socio-semiotic approach
TBFAA:FGALP Functional Descriptions: Theory in Practice
TBFAA:FGALP John C. Lentz’s 1993 monograph
TBFAA:FGALP Bibliography
JETS 30 study of the larger units
PERMANENT EASY ACCESS . . .
Now, if that wasn't enough, the quickest way to make sure you have permanent easy access to the note file in you system is through the "Favorites" menu (an option under your "Tools" menu in the top). Once you open your favorites menu, you will see a blank area above many different "book mark" sections below. That blank area allows you to create as many "new folders" as you like, and as deep as you want to set each of them. It is recommended that you start out creating one "new folder" for every letter of the alphabet and then set other "new folders" within each letter. For instance, if you are copying and pasting the bibliography lists from your commentaries and dictionaries (a topic for later discussion), then you can store these lists in your "Bibliographies" folder, under the letter "B". All your "Notes" files, can be saved in the "N" folder, and within that notes folder, you can have various topics as well. That way, every doc you save can be directly accessed through the favorites menu anytime you open your software or need to see it again--you literally are creating your own, personalized databank of resources/research topics as you study more and create more note files!!
CREATE AND SHARE!
Now, I know what you're saying, crowd--"what good do they do me in Logos alone?" I hear you, and that is why Logos has created the ability to "export" your notes to any Microsoft application appropriate (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.). Now you can create, export, email, and share your notes amongst your other classmates!! Instantly!! Amazing.
MOTIVATED YET?
So, there you have it, Note Taking On Steroids! With your own personal Digital Resource intranet, the possibilities are endless!! And can I tell you a secret? . . . After you have your own little digital library of note files on various topics (or various notes on a single topic if you are digging into your research interest) Logos also has an application available to create from them your VERY OWN BOOK!!! This book will be searchable, hyperlinked, and listed in your system the same way every other book you own is!! (But that is a topic for another day) Check out Logos' free training to make your very own book . . .
Overview of Basic Personal Books
Keep reading out there!! Keep studying, keep note taking!
As many of you well know, Logos has the ability to create within the software note files. Now, what is the advantage to a note file over a simple Word doc? Glad you asked--hyperlinked references make your personally created note file a part of your Digital Library intranet!
HYPERLINKED NOTE FILES!
Everything you note in your note file that quotes a resource in you personal Digital Library is hyperlinked to that resource in your library with an automatic footnote!! How amazing is that. That way, when you are finished, and you go back to look them over, any time you want to pop back to that original resource that you are quoting, you just need to click the link in your note file.
Check out these notes taken on Martin-Asensio's, Transitivity Based Foregrounding in the Book of Acts where every single box represents an expandable section of my personally created notes, and each blue-highlighted link is a hyperlink back to that specific section highlighted from the resource:
Transitivity Based
Foregrounding in Acts Resources
TBFAA:FGALP Matthieson
and Nesbitt TBFAA:FGALP any
comparison of the language TBFAA:FGALP Rhetorical
Criticism: The Case of Foregrounding TBFAA:FGALP George
Kennedy TBFAA:FGALP application
of argumentation, TBFAA:FGALP all
human communication is rhetorical TBFAA:FGALP it
is a … definition of them. TBFAA:FGALP Malinowski’s
work TBFAA:FGALP context
of situation TBFAA:FGALP variety
of language … use or function TBFAA:FGALP impossibility
of establishing … sense and reference TBFAA:FGALP relativization
of the linguist’s metalanguage. TBFAA:FGALP ‘macro-functions’:
the ideational, … and the textual. TBFAA:FGALP its
lexicogrammatical features TBFAA:FGALP The
elements of theme TBFAA:FGALP aspect
is a common means of foregrounding in the epistolary literature of the New
Testament TBFAA:FGALP central or invariant meaning of aspect TBFAA:FGALP an author’s overall rhetorical/literary
agenda TBFAA:FGALP functional correspondence between the
writings of St Paul and the rhetorical manuals of Graeco-Roman antiquity TBFAA:FGALP exciting area of linguistic reasearch TBFAA:FGALP key contributions to foregrounding theory TBFAA:FGALP every item of lexico-grammar TBFAA:FGALP ‘markedness’ TBFAA:FGALP no reference to causation TBFAA:FGALP Nida’s is a socio-semiotic approach TBFAA:FGALP Functional Descriptions: Theory in Practice TBFAA:FGALP John C. Lentz’s 1993 monograph TBFAA:FGALP Bibliography JETS 30 study of the larger units PERMANENT EASY ACCESS . . .
Now, if that wasn't enough, the quickest way to make sure you have permanent easy access to the note file in you system is through the "Favorites" menu (an option under your "Tools" menu in the top). Once you open your favorites menu, you will see a blank area above many different "book mark" sections below. That blank area allows you to create as many "new folders" as you like, and as deep as you want to set each of them. It is recommended that you start out creating one "new folder" for every letter of the alphabet and then set other "new folders" within each letter. For instance, if you are copying and pasting the bibliography lists from your commentaries and dictionaries (a topic for later discussion), then you can store these lists in your "Bibliographies" folder, under the letter "B". All your "Notes" files, can be saved in the "N" folder, and within that notes folder, you can have various topics as well. That way, every doc you save can be directly accessed through the favorites menu anytime you open your software or need to see it again--you literally are creating your own, personalized databank of resources/research topics as you study more and create more note files!!
CREATE AND SHARE!
Now, I know what you're saying, crowd--"what good do they do me in Logos alone?" I hear you, and that is why Logos has created the ability to "export" your notes to any Microsoft application appropriate (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.). Now you can create, export, email, and share your notes amongst your other classmates!! Instantly!! Amazing.
MOTIVATED YET?
So, there you have it, Note Taking On Steroids! With your own personal Digital Resource intranet, the possibilities are endless!! And can I tell you a secret? . . . After you have your own little digital library of note files on various topics (or various notes on a single topic if you are digging into your research interest) Logos also has an application available to create from them your VERY OWN BOOK!!! This book will be searchable, hyperlinked, and listed in your system the same way every other book you own is!! (But that is a topic for another day) Check out Logos' free training to make your very own book . . .
Overview of Basic Personal Books
Keep reading out there!! Keep studying, keep note taking!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
#1 SEMINARY RECOMMENDATION FOR DIGITAL SCHOLARS
Hello my fellow scholars of the Twenty-First Century!!
I need to straighten out an issue when it comes to choosing your own digital library and the resources that you will need to make sure you are getting the best BANG! for your buck. After all, isn't the whole point of having the advantages of digital resources is to hone-in on those specific areas of research that you need and want for your education, right? Of course. So, out in the best interests of you students out there, I need to give you some advice that will save you thousands of dollars, hours of time and effort, and a lot of heartache in disappointment, here it is--
The #1 Caveat of Digital Resource Scholarship with purchasing your initial Logos Library iiiiiiiss. . . (drum roll please. . . )
#1 SEMINARY RECOMMENDATION FOR DIGITAL SCHOLARS WITH LOGOS:
**If you are purchasing your library for Seminary research purposes, DO NOT spend your money on the higher "base packages" (i.e., Silver, Gold, Plantinum, or (God forbid!) Portfolio). Get the lower packages (e.g., Original Languages, or Scholars) and use the difference in price to grab the recommended scholarly resources at the end of this post.**
The reason for this strong recommendation is because the upper base packages are designed for ministers & preachers more than for a specific Seminary research focus. These higher base packages do not have the resources you need (mostly) that will give you enough breadth and depth of research to quote from for your papers, or projects. Now, having that said, people, I do know that sheerly in terms of print value they are still phenomenal deals (between 8k-13k dollars in print value), so as far as worth goes, and purchase price goes, they are great, but when you are in Seminary, you need more that just a great deal for the money--you need focused, scholarly research. This will not be accomplished by the larger packages, but, with the same funds it takes to get them, you can achieve a tremendous level of research-focused resources if you go with the lower-level initial base packages and the recommended resources below.
WHAT "BASE PACKAGES" ARE NOT
I want to make sure that the term "base package" is clear. These packages are not, I repeat. . . NOT different versions of the software. The versions are designated by number (i.e., version 3.0, 4.0, 4.5, etc.) and the versions are automatically downloaded and updated directly from the Logos server every time you Log into the software. From the perspective of capabilities, it makes no difference if you get the "Gold," or "Scholars" or "Platinum," or any other package. The difference is in the included books.
WHAT "BASE PACKAGES" ACTUALLY ARE
So what is the difference between these packages, you ask? Great question--THE ONLY DIFFERENCE is simply this--the number of books included with it, and the type of books that are included with it. Sometimes the names of the packages reflect their focus of books, for instance, can you guess what type of books are included with the base package, "original languages"? You got it, books that focus on defining and identifying the meanings of the original Greek and Hebrew of the Scriptures. What about "Scholars" well, this includes most of the original language package with a few more scholarly commentaries added in.
I can already hear the next question: "Well if the only difference is the number and the type of books that I receive, how am I supposed to figure out the differences in those books before I purchase my Digital Library?" That is an excellent question, boy, you really are sharp, and here is the answer: All the differences between the base packages can be seen in one, single spot on Logos' webpage which is called "Base Package Comparison Chart" I'll go ahead and give you the link so you can check it out for yourself, and then when you're done browsing that over, come back for the "Recommended Seminary Resources" that I'll show you at the end of this post. None of this is copy written on this blog site, so feel free to copy and paste, print it up and keep it through your education so you have a constant reference to check off every time you have the chance to add another resource, ok? I wish I had that starting out, cause I wasted a LOT of money and time buying the higher base package first, then other devotional and expository (i.e., non-scholary) resources when I started out. I simply offer for you all to learn from my mistake. Keep in mind my recommended resources have also been checked by other resources that evaluate their level of scholarship, so you can rely on these resources to get you through. (as they did me through my MDiv education):
Comparison Chart Link at Logos:
http://www.logos.com/comparison
So, which base package appealed to you? I can say the the two best packages for seminary students are these: Original Languages, or Scholars. Then you add to them from there and before you know it, you'll have a daunting library that can help anyone, on any topic, any time!! For instance, over the last five years of seminary school, my digital library has accumulated over 4,200 resources!! (I just look for good deals) Do you think I'm ever stuck for scholarly research on any topic? Please. And there is not one day I don't use a reading plan, or generate reports for students, or look up something from my regular book reading for better understanding.
So, with that said, folks, I now give you the list of resources that actually are recommended for scholarly research. Feel free to copy, and print this, and use it as your personal reference as you go through seminary, and don't forget to use the no-interest payment plans as I did (not to mention financial aid from school--just $1,000 extra dollars of financial aid can boost you books by several hundreds!!)
And don't forget to enjoy your time with these resources and, also don't forget--to come back to us so you can post your official "Digital Resources Scholarship" testimony for all to see!!
Digital library . . . Revolution
Enjoy these. . .
Recommended Resources for
Seminary Students by category
! XXX ! = Must have resources!!
Diciontaries/Lexicons:
New
Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible
Anchor Yale
Bible Dictionary (ABD)
!Essential IVP
Reference Collection!
!IVP Dictionary
of the Old Testament!
New
International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (NIDNTT)
New
International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis (NIDOTTE)
!Exegetical
Dictionary of the New Testament (EDNT)!
!Theological
Dictionary of New Testament (TDNT)!
BDAG/HALOT
bundle (see Original Language Supplement below)
Scholarly
Commentaries:
!Word Biblical
Commentary (WBC)!
Anchor Yale
Commentary of the Bible (AYCB)
Expositor's
Bible Commentary
Tyndale Bible
Commentary
Hermeneia Bible
Commentary
Socio-Rhetorical
Commentary Series
Baker
Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament (BECNT)
Black's New
Testament Commentary
!New
International Commentary of the NT and OT (NICNT, NICOT)!
Theological
Journals:
!Studies in NT
Greek and Journal for the Study of the New Testament (JSNT)
Collection!
!Theological
Journals Volumes 1-10! (also volumes 11-13 & Religious and Theological Abstracts set)
!Sheffield
Reader Collection!
Library of NT
Studies: JSNTS on Paul/Gospels
Original
Language Studies:
Greek NT
Discourse Bundle
Idioms of the
Greek NT (by Stanley Porter)
!Original
Language Supplement (includes BDAG/HALOT Bundle)!
Historical
Studies:
Biographical
Dictionary of Evangelicals
Christian
History and Biography Magazine vols 1-99
The New
Testament in the Apostolic Fathers (by Oxford Society of Historical
Theology)
Apostolic
Fathers in Greek and English (by Holmes)
Early Church
Bundle (59 vols: includes BDAG, and Apostolic Fathers)
Ante-Nicene
Fathers vols 1-10
Jewish
Studies:
Tanakh (OT
Scriptures by Jewish Publication Society)
Qumran
Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls Database
Encyclopedia
of Judaism (by Neusner)
JPS Tanakh
Commentary
A Commentary
on the New Testament from the Talmud and Hebraica (by Lightfoot)
History of
Old Testament Interpretation Collection
Works of
Josephus
Simply
Great Deals for Your Library:
Catholic Library Builder (276 vols)
PERSONAL
NOTE:
This
list is just one big goal to reach toward for your library!
Also Remember the no interest
payment plans—to help the monthly cash flow.
As Dr.
Twelftree declares in Regent's "Biblical Miracles" Class:
Lifelong reading equals
lifelong growing!!
Stay
in touch!
Justin
R. Woods
JUSTIN
R. WOODS
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
PIGGY BANKS OF POWER: non-stop knowledge on-the-go
This post represents the most glorious, and profitable gold-mine of the entire existence of the software that I can convey--reading plans. Don't be fooled, though, I'm not just talking about making one, it's a heck of a lot better than just that!
You see, the software's home page has what they call a "heading ribbon" at the top and this heading ribbon displays different settings like your "preferred Bibles", "Library slide show," and whatever reading plans can fit in the display. (now, technically, it is unlimited since the arrow to the right can scroll continually, but we can avoid this) The way that you can control what appears on this ribbon is determined by the bottom left hand corner of the initial start-up screen called "customize". This pop-up menu is split into two distinct areas for display: "Features" and "Content". It's the "Features" that is your very own veritable bottomless piggy-bank of pure-golden nuggets of knowledge through reading plans.
How so? Well, I'm glad you asked. E-v-e-r-y-o-n-e, and their mother, knows that any Logos Digital resource you want to read, you can set a customized reading plan for via the main menu options under "File" and "Reading Plans", that part is a no-brainer. The only problem is the ribbon can only fit so many of them showing on your screen as you set them in your system, so it seems that you are limited in the number of them you can set.
Ha, Ha! But this is where the gold comes in my friends and scholars: any time you set a reading plan, if it does not fit in the display ribbon, then all you have to do is to click into the "Customize" menu, and un-click for it to display in the ribbon under the "Features" section. It still stays in the list, it just doesn't show in the ribbon until you go back and click it to display again whenever you want to read it. And there is no limit to the number of plans you can set in this menu!! At this point, my friend, I would permit you one sinister "Dr. Evil" laugh because, indeed it is true--"everything is going perfectly to plan!"--Moo ha ha ha--Mooo haa haa haa--MMoooo hhhaaa hhhaaa!! Pure Gold!!
Ahh, that felt good. But seriously, folks, I can already hear the winy objections of the peanut gallery, "But if I set the plan and wait to start it up later, won't I be behind the original settings for the dates of the reading plan?" Oh, hoh, yes indeed, very astute observation, but, my young padewan learner, you have yet to learn the ways of the force of Logos' genius system--all you have to do to change it to the current dates, while keeping the same amount of reading per day, is simply right click the plan in the display ribbon and choose the second option in the pop-up menu, "adjust plan from today," and this will readjust the entire plan automatically for you starting from the current date. (P.S., just make sure you AVOID the fist option on that same menu saying, "catch up to today," cause that will check off all the readings from the original date until the current one, hence missing all those readings).
Ba-Da-Bing! There you have it. You could set reading plans for every-single-stinkin'-book (if you wanted) in your entire Digital Library and simply keep them "piggy-banked" in your "Customize" menu until you decide you are ready to read them. As you complete them one-at-a-time, you simply click the next one, adjust it from today, and off you go!! You never stop reading, learning, and growing right there with your own laptop/computer anytime you want, as often as you want, and as much as you want to read. Literally your personal bank of knowledge whenever, however, and however much you want to withdraw. Pretty Cool, huh? Well. . . Geez, how much easier can Logos make education? You need a back-rub too? what are you waitin' for-->Go get'em tiger!
So when I found this little jewel, I have never stopped sifting through my library to set the next plan. It has changed my life. I can't wait to see how will also can change yours.
This post represents the most glorious, and profitable gold-mine of the entire existence of the software that I can convey--reading plans. Don't be fooled, though, I'm not just talking about making one, it's a heck of a lot better than just that!
You see, the software's home page has what they call a "heading ribbon" at the top and this heading ribbon displays different settings like your "preferred Bibles", "Library slide show," and whatever reading plans can fit in the display. (now, technically, it is unlimited since the arrow to the right can scroll continually, but we can avoid this) The way that you can control what appears on this ribbon is determined by the bottom left hand corner of the initial start-up screen called "customize". This pop-up menu is split into two distinct areas for display: "Features" and "Content". It's the "Features" that is your very own veritable bottomless piggy-bank of pure-golden nuggets of knowledge through reading plans.
How so? Well, I'm glad you asked. E-v-e-r-y-o-n-e, and their mother, knows that any Logos Digital resource you want to read, you can set a customized reading plan for via the main menu options under "File" and "Reading Plans", that part is a no-brainer. The only problem is the ribbon can only fit so many of them showing on your screen as you set them in your system, so it seems that you are limited in the number of them you can set.
Ha, Ha! But this is where the gold comes in my friends and scholars: any time you set a reading plan, if it does not fit in the display ribbon, then all you have to do is to click into the "Customize" menu, and un-click for it to display in the ribbon under the "Features" section. It still stays in the list, it just doesn't show in the ribbon until you go back and click it to display again whenever you want to read it. And there is no limit to the number of plans you can set in this menu!! At this point, my friend, I would permit you one sinister "Dr. Evil" laugh because, indeed it is true--"everything is going perfectly to plan!"--Moo ha ha ha--Mooo haa haa haa--MMoooo hhhaaa hhhaaa!! Pure Gold!!
Ahh, that felt good. But seriously, folks, I can already hear the winy objections of the peanut gallery, "But if I set the plan and wait to start it up later, won't I be behind the original settings for the dates of the reading plan?" Oh, hoh, yes indeed, very astute observation, but, my young padewan learner, you have yet to learn the ways of the force of Logos' genius system--all you have to do to change it to the current dates, while keeping the same amount of reading per day, is simply right click the plan in the display ribbon and choose the second option in the pop-up menu, "adjust plan from today," and this will readjust the entire plan automatically for you starting from the current date. (P.S., just make sure you AVOID the fist option on that same menu saying, "catch up to today," cause that will check off all the readings from the original date until the current one, hence missing all those readings).
Ba-Da-Bing! There you have it. You could set reading plans for every-single-stinkin'-book (if you wanted) in your entire Digital Library and simply keep them "piggy-banked" in your "Customize" menu until you decide you are ready to read them. As you complete them one-at-a-time, you simply click the next one, adjust it from today, and off you go!! You never stop reading, learning, and growing right there with your own laptop/computer anytime you want, as often as you want, and as much as you want to read. Literally your personal bank of knowledge whenever, however, and however much you want to withdraw. Pretty Cool, huh? Well. . . Geez, how much easier can Logos make education? You need a back-rub too? what are you waitin' for-->Go get'em tiger!
So when I found this little jewel, I have never stopped sifting through my library to set the next plan. It has changed my life. I can't wait to see how will also can change yours.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
THE POWER OF DIGITAL RESOURCES: DO MORE WITH LESS
One Regent Student Submitted for this request on 11 February:
As you might imagine, her project is well on its way now, and we'll be sitting down very soon to discuss the best way for Samantha to be able to do this at her own home, on her own laptop, with her own digital library.
One Regent Student Submitted for this request on 11 February:
Hi Justin,
I
was wondering if you could look something up in logos for me (the
weekend library staff doesn’t know which computers have logos). I just
need the initial listing that logos gives for the Greek word arrabwn.
I
have all the lexical/dictionary info, etc. My Professor just wants to show
how it comes up in logos when you’re searching for a word (to put in a
slide on ppt).
Thanks!
Regent Student
This request was a real soft-ball! You want to hear about my 30-second research task on this one word? Be glad to relay it, here it is:
First, I popped into the "Bible Search" (spy-glass at the top left) in 4 different versions to find where this was used in the Greek NT by using the transliteration she gave (I typed the command-- g:"arrabwn" where "g:" tells logos that "its sounds this way in the Greek"). Here's a snapshot of the search results:
From there I clicked into one of them, in this case, 2 Cor 5:5, so I could get the Scripture to open up which allows me to right click the word to look up the lemma in my dictionaries: BDAG, NIDNTT, TDNT, EDNT, Louw-Nida, et al. Since all the lexicons/dictionaries are set in a customized "parallel resources" set, I simply hit the right-arrow key to jump to the next resource when I'm done reading each article. (Logos automatically jumps to the specific article in that resource regarding that word every time I arrow to the next lexicon)
As I arrow through each and every one of the articles, I simply highlighted them and right-clicked them directly into a single "clippings" document in the software (a doc that resembles individual 3x5 cards where each highlight is quoted, the resource is noted, and you can add personal notes to each one), then "exported" the entire 7-page document with all the articles on the word into a word doc. file (one of the functions of Logos Library).
Here's a sample page of the exported 7-page clippings document I sent her which only covers two articles on the word: Theological Dictionary of the NT (TDNT) and a partial one (because it extended onto the next page) from the New International Dictionary of the NT Theology (NIDNTT):
ἀρραβών
TDNT: ἀρραβών
† ἀρραβών*1
A loan word from the Semitic, Heb. צֵרָבוֹן.2
Gn. 38:17 ff. (LXX, ἀρραβών), Lat. arrha or arrhabo (B Gn. 38:17 ff.). The word is a commercial term (Isaeus 8:23:
Aristot. Pol., I, 11, p. 1259a, 12; esp. pap.). It signifies a “pledge” which
is later returned (only Gn. 38:17–20); a “deposit” which pays
part of the total debt and gives a legal claim (BGU, 947, 6; Ostraka, II,
1168); “earnest-money” ratifying a compact (P. Oxy., 299, 2 f.; BGU, 446, 5).
It always implies an act which engages to something bigger.3 It
occurs figur. in Antiph. Fr., 123, 6 (CAF, II, 60): ἔχοντες
ἀρραβῶνα τὴν τὲχνην τοῦ ζῆν; Menand. Fr., 697 (ibid.,
III, 200): τοῦ δυστυχεῖν … ἀρραβῶνʼ ἔχειν.
Paul uses it
figuratively at 2 C.
1:22: ὁ … δοὺς τὸν ἀρραβῶνα τοῦ πνεύματος ἐν ταῖς
καρδίαις ἡμῶν; 5:5:
ὁ δοὺς ἡμῖν τὸν ἀρραβῶνα τοῦ πνεύματος
(→ πνεῦμα). In the latter τοῦ πνεύματος is gen. appos.: “the earnest,
i.e., the Spirit” (like →
ἀπαρχὴ τοῦ πνεύματος in R. 8:23). The
Spirit whom God has given them is for Christians the guarantee of their full
future possession of salvation. Similarly in Eph. 1:14: τῷ πνεύματι …, ὅς4
ἐστιν ἀρραβὼν τῆς →
κληρονομίας ἡμῶν.
In 2nd century
Christian literature it is found only in Pol., 8, 1:
τῷ ἀρραβῶνι τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἡμῶν ὅς ἐστι
Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς, Christ by His death is a pledge that Christians will
attain to righteousness at the last judgment.
Theological
Dictionary of the New Testament. Edited by Kittel, Gerhard, Geoffrey W.
Bromiley and Gerhard Friedrich. electronic ed., V 1, p 475. Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans, 1964-.
Tags: G728
Clipped: February 11, 2012
NIDNTT: ἀρραβών
CL & OT The Gk.
word arrabōn (borrowed from the
Semitic, cf. Heb. ‘ērāḇôn) is a legal
concept from the language of business and trade. It is found only rarely
(Isaeus, Aristotle and later grammarians such as Suidas) and means: (1) an
instalment, with which a man secures a legal claim upon a thing as yet unpaid
for; (2) an earnest, an advance payment, by which a contract becomes valid in
law; (3) in one passage (Gen. 38:17ff.) a pledge. In each case it is a
matter of payment by which the person concerned undertakes to give further
payment to the recipient (Arndt, 109). A metaphorical use is also possible (e.g.
skilfulness as an arrabōn of life,
Antiphon, Frag. 123, 6).
Brown, Colin. New
International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, V 2, pp 39–40. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986.
As you might imagine, her project is well on its way now, and we'll be sitting down very soon to discuss the best way for Samantha to be able to do this at her own home, on her own laptop, with her own digital library.
Now that she has experience with TDNT, and NIDNTT, do you think she'll be intimidated by these resources when entering the library? No. I'll tell you what will happen--the same thing that happens to everyone else--> she becomes more confident with her experience, more proficient with their use, gets her own digital library, and ends up becoming the leader for the both the next generation of scholars AND those who want to become scholars but are too scared to get their own digital library!! LOL!!
Way to go Samantha, we'll always be routing for you!
Way to go Samantha, we'll always be routing for you!
Either way, having your own digital library cannot be beat--either for scholarship, ministry, or personal development. There's just no two-ways around it. Amen.
Be blessed.
JW.
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