Logos Bible Software 5

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Logos Bible Software released Logos 5 in November 2012. Logos continues to serve its users both by improving its current features and by adding new features to enhance biblical study. Logos 4 users will notice improvements to the look of the Logos 5 homepage, offering you the option to customize it according to what interests you. While the improvements to existing features result in greater aesthetics and a more friendly usability, the new features take serious Bible study to the next level, making Logos 5 a worthwhile investment. Some of these new features include the following:

1. Clause Search and Search Suggestions. The ability to search an entire library in seconds makes Logos invaluable to students of Scripture. Logos has greatly improved its search options by suggesting examples based on words typed. Now users can find material that not only includes the specific words in the search, but also discover any item related to the word being searched. Clause searches can be done in English, Greek, or Hebrew.

2. Timeline. All of history is redemptive history, and the new Logos Timeline feature highlights this truth by showing how God has worked in time throughout the ages. The timeline includes Bible history, church history, and world history.

3. Bible Sense Lexicon. Words in Hebrew and Greek are often broader than in English. With this new feature you can learn the various senses in which words are used in a particular biblical context.

4. Topic Guide. Logos now provides the ability to search according to topic, linking passages, themes, people, places, and events to consolidate as much material as possible in just a few seconds time.

5. Bibliography. The bibliography feature records the resources you have used and offers you the possibility of annotating your bibliography. You can record your sources according to the style of your choosing (SBL, Turabian, MLA, etc.). Not only will Logos 5 sort your bibliography, you can share it and export it to a personal document and print.

These are not the only new features in Logos 5, but they are the ones that I found to be the most helpful and beneficial for biblical studies. In order to maximize Logos Bible Software, customers can utilize demo videos on the Logos website. In addition, Logos has continued to keep its product valuable by making it accessible across multiple platforms. Logos can be used on Windows and Mac, as well as iPhones, Androids, and tablets (iPad and Kindle Fire).

One of the largest obstacles presented to customers is cost. This is true whether you are currently using Logos 4 and considering an upgrade or if you are considering purchasing Logos Bible Software the first time. With regard to upgrading from Logos 4 there are a few things to consider. If you use Logos primarily as an electronic library for reading commentaries and other theological literature without implementing a lot of the research tools available, then upgrading may not be worth the investment. However, if you do utilize the search tools and exegetical guides in your study, then the datasets that are unique to Logos 5 will definitely benefit your studies.

Another factor to consider when upgrading from Logos 4 to Logos 5 is that all the new features of Logos 5 are included in Logos Gold base package and higher. You would keep every resource you already own in your Logos 4 package while receiving all the new datasets of Logos 5 if you purchase Gold or higher. This means that you do not necessarily have to purchase the same package of Logos 5 that you have in Logos 4 to receive all the benefits. For example, I owned Logos 4 Portfolio and upgraded to Logos 5 Platinum. While Portfolio is technically a higher package, moving from Portfolio 4 to Platinum 5 was not a downgrade.

Regarding the cost, Logos offers various options to alleviate the cost. If you are upgrading, Logos has a “dynamic pricing” calculator to factor what you already own so that you receive a credit toward your upgrade. Your upgrade will be specifically tailored to your current package. One more option Logos offers is a monthly payment plan that spreads the cost out so that purchasing a Logos 5 package is made easier.

If you are a layperson, student, pastor, or teacher considering purchasing Bible study software to aid in your study of Scriptures, Logos will exceed your expectations. The user-friendly software along with the searching capabilities available will help in your study. Logos Bible Software provides one a wide variety of commentaries, theological works, and language tools available electronically.


Charles M. Barrett

Charles M. Barrett
Geneva Reformed Seminary
Greenville, South Carolina, USA

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