Computers make serious Bible study easier
CW looks at three top Bible software programs

Ken Ristau
Special to CW Life

New Bible software programs give fresh meaning to searching the Scriptures. Accordance 5.1, BibleWorks 5 and Logos Series X are easy-to-use-tools that make Bible studies and research projects more productive and insightful. With this software, an ordinary computer provides access to research tools previously found only in the no-take-out reference section of a Bible college or seminary library.

Accordance 5.1

Developed by OakTree Software, Accordance 5.1 offers many ways to search and study the Bible. The company currently distributes 13 CD-ROMs, featuring nearly 200 Accordance-compatible texts and tools (modules). I reviewed Library 5 and Scholar's Collection-3 (SC3).

Library 5 is designed for lay users, providing access to essential study tools while not bogging you down with texts that require Hebrew and/or Greek. Bibles, keyed to Strong's numbers, let you get behind English translations while commentaries, dictionaries and topical resources help you make sense of everything.

For users with knowledge of Hebrew and/or Greek, the obvious choice is SC3. With it, you can unlock original language texts, current lexicons, grammars and more. Additional libraries and specialized texts are available.

Quite simply, Accordance stands above the competition. Here are its clearest advantages:

1) Easy-to-use and powerful interface. The Accordance interface is simple and user-friendly, yet refined, thoughtful and powerful. Advanced features are easy to learn and use thanks to intuitive menus and buttons. The "Options" pull-down menu, which helps you enter search commands and symbols, seems so basic and essential to Bible software; it is unbelievable that BibleWorks and Logos have not introduced it.

2) Parallel databases. Library 5 and SC3 include six parallel databases that put identical, similar and/or related bible passages side-by-side for easy reference and unique research capabilities. The MT/LXX database, an additional expert parallel database available with SC3, is indispensable for studies in the original languages and exclusive to Accordance.

It's hard to find fault with Accordance. My criticisms are minor: You can't edit parallel databases (c.f. BibleWorks) or write user notes in texts other than Bibles; there are no macros for Microsoft Word and no automatic web updates (you must visit and download from OakTree's web site); some books sold in Library 5 are free on OakTree's web site; it is Mac-only, although it does run on emulation software.

BibleWorks 5

Hermeneutika's BibleWorks 5 is an all-in-one Bible software solution—there are no extra modules to buy or download. The package concentrates on primary resources (Bibles, lexicons and analysis tools). The limited reference tools bundled with BibleWorks are dated.

Free online services such as http://bible.crosswalk.com/ and http://unbound.biola.edu/ provide more tools that are comparable.

BibleWorks makes a great tool for translators, missionaries and people working in multiple languages. Only BibleWorks offers Bible translations in 24 modern languages, with some Dutch, French, German and Russian Bibles keyed to Strong's numbers. Plus, the unabridged BDB lexicon is available in Hebrew-English, Hebrew-French and Hebrew-Russian.

Two additional features set BibleWorks apart:

1) Flexible tools. Like Accordance, you can create tools that integrate seamlessly into the program. Develop your own Bible version or add your sermons and papers. The possibilities are limitless. BibleWorks goes beyond Accordance and provides more customization and editing powers, most notably the ability to edit the parallel database and Bible timeline.

2) Cantillation and morphological tagging of primary texts. Some of the academically inclined will be interested to know that BibleWorks is the only program that incorporates cantillation and morphological tagging in one Massoretic text. In addition, it has five morphologically tagged New Testament texts (NA27, UBS4, Byzantine, Scrivener and Stephanus)—two more than any competing product.

BibleWorks has some significant weaknesses: No additional resources available; it is missing important lexicons, i.e. BAGD and HALOT; its foreign language capabilities are unnecessary for most people; it doesn't support a mouse scroll wheel; its interface is non-intuitive(!); it can't use parallel versions layout in results window; and it is PC-only (runs on emulation software, though).

Logos Series X

Developed by Logos Research Systems, Logos Series X works on a slightly different premise than Accordance or BibleWorks. It is primarily an e-book delivery system, akin to Acrobat Reader. The viewer is available on the Internet as a free download. Even so, you'll have to buy one of Logos' boxed book collections to get books and tools.

I reviewed Scholar's Library, a collection of 253 books that includes every automation add-in (tool) currently available. Shockingly, it does not include a manual, digital or hard copy. Help files are sparse.

Logos' research capabilities lag behind Accordance and BibleWorks. The interface clutters quickly if you are doing anything more than basic studies—almost every action requires opening a new window or dialog box (making you wish for copious RAM and a theatre screen for a monitor).

Its advanced search capabilities are severely limited; you cannot diagram complex searches, merge or link results. Logos uses add-ins to overcome research limitations but they are not as useful as corresponding features in Accordance and BibleWorks.

Logos does have some positive features.

1) Huge book collection. Logos' vast library includes some indispensable scholarly tools, i.e. BAGD and unabridged Kittel (TDNT), and leadership/pastoral resources from the editors of Leadership Journal and Christianity Today. The library also includes the 54-volume Word Biblical Commentary and the IVP Reference Series (separate purchases). Caveat: Many books espouse Christian Fundamentalism and I'm concerned uncritical use of these books may continue to reinforce ignorance of mainstream Christian thinking. Books in "Home School & Christian Education," which consist mostly of anti-evolution propaganda by Dennis G. Lindsay, disturb me. Logos should balance these books with books by Hugh Ross, founder of Reasons to Believe (http://www.reasons.org).

2) Devotional and lay study aids. For lay users, Logos includes books from popular authors as well as personal tools like "Prayer List" and "Bible Reading Plan."

3) Internet integration. In my opinion, the most exciting and powerful feature in Logos is the ability to create hyperlinks, on a web page or in an e-mail. These links can automatically load an end user's copy of Logos and take them to a selected resource. This feature has enormous potential for interactive Bible studies and classrooms online (but, of course, requires that end users own Logos).

Conclusion

Accordance, BibleWorks and Logos have each created programs that can, when used with discernment, increase your knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

BibleWorks is an excellent option for PC users, particularly people working with foreign languages (i.e. translators and missionaries).

Logos is emerging as the program you hate-to-love and love-to-hate; a Microsoft of Bible software, if you will. By virtue of its huge book collection, devotional resources and internet integration, it is worth owning (but be wary of some of its fundamentalist resources).

Accordance is the premier program of the three. It is the easiest to use and the most powerful. It is appropriate for all levels of biblical competency, beginner-lay through advanced-scholar. And, because it is a module-based program (just like Logos), you can buy resources as you grow in your knowledge and understanding of the Bible. If you are a serious Bible student, it is worth buying a Mac to own this product. There is virtually no learning curve; I got my first Mac just shortly before doing this review.

Whichever product you choose, I'm sure you'll find that the quality of today's Bible software programs has made them an indispensable study aid.

Ken Ristau is a student at North American Bible College in Edmonton, Alberta. For more information on ways to improve your Bible studies, check out his website at
http://anduril.ca/bible/

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