When we first began the development of Becker Professional Theology Academy, many doors were opened for us by major religious publishers. Their textbooks were offered to us free-of-charge, so we could favorably evaluate them and require their use in our program. We examined many textbooks that would complement our goal of establishing the new credentialed field of Professional Theology; but, these resources seemed unrepresentative of the needed training and skill level development required. We reasoned that since Professional Theologists would be addressing modern-day issues, then modern-day tools were needed. Further, the more we utilized LOGOS software for development of this program, as well as our personal studies and educational endeavors, we recognized the movement of God within the development of this software. LOGOS software became the tool of preference for the Academy, and after it's intensive use in our preparation, we are firmly convince that we made the perfect requirement that could equip our students throughout their professional theology career.
Dr. Heiser touches upon the use of LOGOS to conduct background studies and offers a bit of training in “Bible Facts” and “Topic Guide" [1]. These two categories within LOGOS are critical to the mastery use of the software to conduct deep background research. Students can be assured that they will be fully equipped and trained in the use of LOGOS by the time they receive credentials of formal Professional Theologists. LOGOS professionals have prepared numerous teaching sessions that train users of their software; popular brand representative and LOGOS Guru Morris Proctor offers well-attended seminars in major city locations throughout the United States, and most of these teachings have been placed on CD’s. Also, Becker Professional Theology Academy provides extra teachings for LOGOS in each class, as well as a formal training class required for all students.
Today we will focus our attention upon Dr. Heiser’s training on “Bible Facts” and “Topic Guide.”
Bible Facts can be accessed in many different ways within LOGOS; the easiest is through the “Tools” link. Bible Facts gives us access to definitions, descriptions, verse references, Hebrew and Greek Lemmas, and a pronoun list that provides other names the subject is referred to within Scripture. And, when applicable, images are included to give LOGOS users extra visualization of the concepts.
The Topic Guide is found under the “Guides” link. This tool also gives us the definition, dictionary and encyclopedia links, verse references, and related topics.
Dr. Heiser also gives one of the important “search” triggers that will be used often. The word “AND” (all caps) triggers a search which both words listed before and after the “AND” are found in scripture verses. Other frequently used search triggers includes the use of quotations like “holy spirit” to find the verses that this exact phrase occurs. The use of the word “OR” (all in caps) like in holy OR spirit, finds verses with either the word holy or the word spirit. Triggering search with the words “holy ANDNOT spirit finds verses with the word holy but not the word spirit. Typing “spirit ANDNOT (holy, god) finds the verses with the word spirit but not the words holy or god. These commonly used search triggers are hardly representative of the numerous possibilities concerning the search feature in LOGOS. For instance, one of LOGOS guru Morris Proctor’s tips include typing “((Christ,Jesus,Lord) WITHIN 6 words (death,cross,crucifixion)) WITHIN 6 words (purpose,reason)” locates the places where the words Christ or Jesus or Lord occur within 6 words of death or cross or crucifixion and purpose or reason [2].
The search database within LOGOS is that powerful. Memorization of the different search triggers is an important skill for all LOGOS users to develop and critical to assist the study by Professional Theologists. Every class in Becker Academy will add new triggers for search, or other useful LOGOS shortcut aids. Now is a good time to start a note within LOGOS and begin recording the numerous shortcuts and search terms and techniques as you receive them; the note feature of LOGOS allows students to return to that particular page and add new ones as they learn them. It will be an invaluable reference that is easily accessible by students and carry over to their professional theology works as the software LOGOS is used in its full capacity.
Bibliography
Heiser, Michael S. BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources: LOGOS Bible Software.
Footnotes
[1] Michael S. Heiser, BI101 Lecture Introducing Biblical Interpretation: Contexts and Resources (LOGOS Bible Software).
[2] I have personally collected Morris Proctor’s tips and included them within my private files in LOGOS. This proximity search is from the Camp LOGOS 2, Training 3, occurring on October 17:2011.
Links
About the Author
Kathy L. McFarland is President and Founder of Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. and the Becker Professional Theology Academy. She is also a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Religious Studies from Liberty University, is on track for the Master of Divinity (Professional Ministries Track) degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary & Graduate School in 2016 and will be seeking a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Theology and Apologetics beginning in the fall of 2016. She is the originator of the newest theological movement to encourage Christian leaders to minister within the modern-day marketplace as Professional Theologists. She is also the Curriculum Developer for Becker Professional Theology Academy and a teaching faculty member. Kathy's favorite studies to teach include the connections between Old Testament exegesis, Christian Apologetics, and Bible typology and mysteries.
©2014-2015 Kathy L. McFarland. All Rights Reserved.