There are a number of very good Bible reference programs available to the public. Logos 6, which has just been released, may have just surpassed them all. Innovative design, tradition-specific reference libraries (e.g., Anglican, Reformed, Pentecostal), and a robust engine “under the hood” converge to bring about this remarkable product. But no single feature of Logos 6 is as amazing as the total: a fully searchable collection that seems to make the Royal Library at Alexander diminutive. That the vicar in a small, rural parish church or an assistant pastor in an urban congregation can, now, access a theological library that an Archbishop of Canterbury would have given his best miter to own is not only mind-boggling thought, but an incredibly satisfying reality.
I would like to see the development of an English literature-based library integrated with the theological library (for as Western culture continues its unabated erosion the repository of English Literature offers the pastor, professor, student, and scholar the nourishment of the mind; and our people will need to see how faith and life can, in fact, work together in the mysteries of life “under the sun”). Such a collection will be needed. Let’s hope that the seemingly unending aisles of digital books will soon include the Great Books.
One more thing: I might, personally, prefer the inexpressible joys of reading one old book, feeling its fragile page in my fingers, reading the notes of previous owners, now with the Lord, and smelling the binding. Nothing will ever completely replace a single good book. But I admit that having access to other books via a program like Logos 6 is a powerful tool.
Of course none of this is as important as the fire of holy burden burning inside of the preacher’s bones, but having a collection like Logos 6 to stoke that fire is pretty nice.
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I commend Logos 6 with joy. There is a URL that has been created for our readers. While I think the product is a good one I want to say that I have received no incentive for this review and have no financial interest with sales related to the Logos 6 site. It is provided only to help our readers save on any purchases they might want to make. Thus, if you click on http://www.logos.com/michaelmilton and decide to purchase anything, you will receive 15% off of any of your purchases there (as of this writing).