akarobby's blog

When my son came home from college this last Christmas break we spent some time quizzing each other about different Bible-related topics primarily using the tools and resources in my Logos Bible software library. I thought it appropriate that I share here the questions we came up with on the subject of “truth.” (The choice of the topic was actually inspired by this site.) Whether you take this "test" just for the fun of it or maybe for a little added edification, I hope you find these questions and the answers (listed at the end) both interesting and enjoyable.

1) How many times does the word “truth” (singular) appear in the Bible (NIV)?
__ a) 224
__ b) 298
__ c) 403
__ d) 637

2) Testament-wise, the appearance of the word “truth” is divided:
__ a) About 65% in the Old Testament and 35% in the New Testament
__ b) About equally between the Old and New Testament
__ c) About 35% in the Old Testament and 65% in the New Testament
__ d) Less than 20% in the Old Testament and over 80% in the New Testament

3) Of these four books of the Bible, which has the most occurrences of the word “truth?”
__ a) Psalms
__ b) Proverbs
__ c) Romans
__ d) Revelation

Let me say upfront and for the record that I have never created a book for the Logos/Libronix system using Personal Book Builder. As an owner of WORDsearch and QuickVerse, (in addition to Logos), I have created user books in their formats, (the means of which is built into their products for free, automatically converts verse references and creates books that are fully searchable), but I haven't found a compelling reason given my method and scope of Bible study to invest in both the initial cost and annual fees that Logos charges for PBB. (Let me also say upfront that this is just me and my needs. I have the utmost respect and appreciation for those whose areas of interest and ministry really benefit from this tool and are willing to share the fruits of their labor with others here and elsewhere.) And please understand that I am not being sarcastic or rhetorical or critical of Logos (or especially of PBB users) in my question. I really just simply don't understand and welcome any and all insight and this seems like a safe and knowledge-rich place to ask.

The catalyst for my posting this lingering query of mine is the recent offering of the A.W. Tozer collection in pre-pub on Logos.com. The substantial 55 volume set will be sold for $399.95 when it is complete, but can be purchased now for just $189.95 which seems fairly reasonable, equating to about $3.45 per book. The challenge in my understanding and the indication that there is something I am probably missing is that I purchased an almost (if not) identical Tozer collection for my WORDsearch library about six-months ago for $69.95 or about $1.27 per book. (I have since found it offered routinely on ebay for only $29.95. Ouch! That's just 54 cents for each book.)

It's curious to me why God didn’t tell Joseph the news about the virgin birth at the same time He told Mary or, even more curious (since I know God always has His reasons), whether or not Mary ever told or tried to tell her betrothed the life-changing news (for them both) that God had shared with her weeks or more likely months before Joseph had his dream?

The text in Matthew 1:18-25 never says anything like “you can believe what Mary said about where the baby came from” or even lets Joseph know that Mary is already on board with the plan.

As I was looking over past Truth is Still Truth postings, especially ones which discussed the potential and, at times, prohibitive cost involved in creating and maintaining a worthwhile Bible software library, I was reminded of a online discussion that took place not too long ago on the "family forum" of my home church. It was about Christian books we enjoyed and benefited from reading, specifically (this day) about the different works of John Piper. As one who owns both the 24-book John Piper collection for WORDsearch (I got it before Logos announced plans to publish the books in the Libronix format) and Piper's Sermon collection in Libronix, I jumped right in.

If you are planning on selling any of your Logos Library resources or if you ever purchase used Logos Bible products or add-ons that other people are no longer using, like I have done on occasion to build up my personal library, be aware that Logos now charges a 10% "processing fee" for the transfer of any of their products. The specific language of the recently revised Transfer section of their End User License Agreement (EULA) is as follows: