There's a new 600-pound gorilla out on CD-ROM, and this one makes the term "software" about as current as microfiche. It's Logos Bible Software 2.0 from Logos Research (Logos is Greek for "the word").
You've already seen a whole encyclopedia on CD-ROM. So Logos has an entire biblical library available. What's so great about that?In short, this library can be searched with a single, common search command. The Logos people say, "We believe Logos 2.0 is the first major commercial electronic publishing package specifically designed to jump the pre-defined boundaries of a data file and examine an indeterminate collection of books." The search engine Logos developed can electronically search: Bibles, dictionaries, lexicons, atlases, hymnals, even fiction (i.e. "Pilgrim's Progress") - all different formats, yet immediately accessible.
With this standardized system, Logos is working with publishers such as Zondervan, Baker, Tyndale and Oxford University Press to add to its electronic library.
Pop in your shiny Logos CD-ROM and voila! Seven Bible versions await perusal: from King James to the New Revised Standard Version. Eight original language editions are at your fingertips: Nestle-Aland 26th, Gramcord Greek Morphology, Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia with Morphology, Rahlf's Septuagint with Corrected Morphology, Byzantine/Majority Textform Greek NT, Textus Receptus (Stephen's 1550) Greek NT, Textus Receptus (Scrivener's 1881) Greek NT and the Latin Vulgate.
Did your eyes just cross? Yes, that's thrilling for someone like U. graduate student of Hebrew, Bruce Smith, who ripped through the BHS Hebrew Bible and TVM (Tense, Voice, Mood) like lightning ("It's wonderful to have access to original texts and linguistic tools or dictionaries like this," he said). Smith found typing with English keys from left to right and seeing the "aleph bet" (Hebrew for alphabet) appear on the screen from right to left - simply marvelous.
The morphological features will parse verbs, decline nouns and define every part of speech. With these data bases, you can get to the root word for further study.
But what if you're like me - someone who doesn't have a degree in Greek or Hebrew but aches to discover meanings found in the original language?
I remember sitting in an LDS "Know Your Religion" lecture in Oakland, Calif., some 12 years ago and hearing the definition of the word "wings" from the Hebrew. Using the library browser on Logos 2.0 I was able to open Strong's Numbers, look up the Hebrew word for wings ("kanaph" - Strong's number 3671) and find for myself a new meaning in the Malachi 4:2 verse, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings . . ." Kanaph means "wing, extremity, edge, border . . . " And suddenly a beautiful Easter message unfolds of the Savior appearing to his followers with "healing in his extremities" or in the wounds of his hands and feet that signify the atonement. (Makes you also think about Jesus healing the woman who merely touched the hem of his robe.)
This software made me want to "morph" into the Christian version of a Talmudic scholar - someone who gets to sit all day studying scripture. A hearty and grateful "thumbs up" for this fabulous study aid.
LOGOS BIBLE SOFTWARE 2.0, LOGOS LIBRARY SYSTEM, level 4. Minimum system requirements: Requires Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, 386-PC or higher with minimum 4 MB RAM (8 MB RAM recommended). Supports most CD-ROM drives and sound cards. Suggested price: $599 (also includes levels 1-3). Contact: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2117 200th Avenue West, Oak Harbor, WA 98277-4049. 1-800-87-LOGOS. Or on the World Wide Web (http://islander.whidbey.net(tilde)logos). BBS: (360) 675-1509.