#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