Texts of the writings of the Early Church Fathers. Should I use LOGOS software?

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apologiadefide

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Hello,

This question was originally posted in the “Miscellaneous” section, but to get more exposure, I have now posted it in this section

I need help from someone who is familiar with all of the current editions of the complete writings of the Early Church Fathers that I have listed below. (originally published by Charles Scribner and Sons in 1900, 38 Volumes)

As you probably already know, the only way to get them in print is by getting the edition published by Hendrickson Publishers (they were formerly published by Eerdmans). They are currently available for the all time low price of only $200 from Christian Book Distributors. http://www.christianbook.com/Christ...30815&netp_id=133214&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW I have some reservations about these because I heard the that the commentary is non-Catholic and sometimes anti-Catholic.

I also found them on CD ROM from Logos Bible Software ($200 also) in a Catholic and Protestant Edition. http://www.logos.com/products/details/631 The tech guy from Logos said the only difference between the Catholic and Protestant edition is that they removed some of the “front matter” and notes (“as to not offend the Catholics” as he put it) from the Catholic edition. Apparently, they are theologically biased. He said even though you are Catholic, “I still recommend the Protestant edition because it is much more comprehensive.”

My main goal is to be able to search them efficiently and have a topical index. And be able to find scripture references. Which apparently, you can do with the Logos edition.

Right now, I have the Early Church Fathers CD ROM from Harmony Media, http://www.harmonymedia.com/cdrom/fathers/ecf.htm which contains all of the writings, but there are no introductions, translator’s notes, or commentary. And there is no topical index. All of the searches are done with key words or phrases. It can be pretty cumbersome at times.

Which one should I use!

I am looking for someone who has experience using the LOGOS software system.

Thanks for you help.

In Christ,

Apologiadefide
 
Hi,

Good question asked.

The books from christianbook.com would be good to buy. The text of the Fathers is exactly the same as anywhere else - though the translations may vary a little from source to source - so are as good to use as any other edition would be. Maybe the introductions in the books aren’t catholic, but you don’t have to read that.

I’m jealous - I don’t live in the USA so would have to pay rather a lot extra in postage for the books. :crying: Ok, it’s still a great deal - but my wife wouldn’t like me spending the money.

The computerised versions:

Advice - don’t pay $200 for this, not for reasons of any bias in the translations, which there may or not be. Rather, don’t buy this for reasons of price. It is far, far too expensive.

If you don’t want to worry about non-catholic biases try this one, for $60, from the Catholic Family Catalog: (other sites sell this too)

catholicfamilycatalog.com/cdecf1.htm

Or, as a cheaper option, I recommend the “Christian Classics Ethereal Library” which is easily found using google or similar. Everything on the site is free to download or read online. Alternatively, for $35 you can have much of the material on CDRom including the 38 volumes of the ECF set. Here’s the blurb:

“This CD-Rom contains most of the CCEL archive, including about 300 Classic Christian books, the World Wide Study Bible, and the complete works of the Early Church Fathers, organized for viewing in a web browser. Also included is a full-text search engine that allows you to search for words or phrases in any of the books on the CD-Rom.This CD-Rom contains most of the CCEL archive, including about 300 Classic Christian books, the World Wide Study Bible, and the complete works of the Early Church Fathers, organized for viewing in a web browser. Also included is a full-text search engine that allows you to search for words or phrases in any of the books on the CD-Rom.”

CCEL is produced by protestants - but the ECF are the same everywhere. And since it’s filled with public-domain works from the history of the Church you’ll find that many of the books on the disc are by Catholics. Personally I think most of the Protestant works on it are cool too - but that’s just me, I’m not in communion with you just yet!

Hope this information is useful to you. Bottom line - don’t pay $200 (and even that’s a “special” offer) when you can pay $35 for more.

Blessings

Asteroid
 
I know you are looking for a cd rom, but have you checked out

The Bible - Search & Read the Bible Online with Study Tools

Read and study the Bible online with over 100 translations and languages. Read verses by topic, study Scripture with commentary, and apply the Word of God with articles for Biblical living today.
www.biblestudytools.com www.biblestudytools.com

they have the whole 34 or 38 volume set online…i use it a lot. have fun
 
I can tell you that I have the LOGOS bible software, including the Early Church Fathers as well as the Scholars library, and though it was expensive I can honestly say it is the BEST software purchase I have ever made (and I have A LOT of software). I also use Bibleworks 6 and QuickVerse 7 and 8. LOGOS is much more comprehensive and the way you can search for even the REFERENCE to any verse within the entire collection is AMAZING. Let’s say you want to see the occurrence of every reference the Church Fathers made to Matthew 16.18, you can do so in a SNAP! It does have a little learning curve but it is so much more powerful than any other bible programs you’ll be happy you spent the money on it.

With regard to the Protestant Frontmatter, well the LOGOS people advised me to get it as well, since it costs the same as without. I told them I was Catholic and I think they thought it might help me to see the other side, but quite frankly the Frontmatter is blatantly anti-Catholic. I find it useful only to see how the Protestant mind thinks and can read the Fathers without becoming Catholic. You’ll see how they have to blind themselves to so many obvious things when you read the Frontmatter.

Anyway, I highly recommend it!

Greg
 
I thank all of you for taking the time to respond to my question. And thanks for all of your points, counterpoints, and opinions! I will consider them all. In my few years of study, I have found that one of the biggest problems of choosing reference works and study materials is finding someone who has personally used these materials and can give honest, Catholic advice. I pray that someone will produce analytical critiques of many of these reference works so that we do not have to research them individually every time we want an unbiased and reliable Bible dictionary, Greek lexicon, or other reference work.
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        Thanks again.

        In Jesus and His Immaculate Mother,
                                                   Apologiadefide
 
I also found them on CD ROM from Logos Bible Software ($200 also) in a Catholic and Protestant Edition. logos.com/products/details/631 The tech guy from Logos said the only difference between the Catholic and Protestant edition is that they removed some of the “front matter” and notes (“as to not offend the Catholics” as he put it) from the Catholic edition. Apparently, they are theologically biased. He said even though you are Catholic, “I still recommend the Protestant edition because it is much more comprehensive.”

The link for the Catholic edition is wrong, I just got off chat with one of their people and he gave me the real link to the catholic edition :

logos.com/product/7832/early-church-fathers-special-catholic-edition

Early Church Fathers Special Catholic Edition (37 vols.)
by 75 authors
•
Logos Bible Software, Christian Literature Company, Charles Scribner’s Sons 1885–1995
Runs on Windows, Mac and mobile.
Pay Monthly
Own for 12 payments of
$24.16/mo
 
Usually software programs like logos will have a demo or limited version online somewhere that you can download and test drive for free. If you can not find one for what you are looking for, email the publisher for a link.
 
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