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Don't take the grammar translation approach! It rarely works out well for adults. Kids will adapt to language learning best by immersion (I could point you to numerous articles to substantiate this point).

 

I am teaching my Son Hebrew, and I do two things. 1. I use the language with him. We walk around the house learning to express ideas about description and identity (מה זה?). I ask him questions in Hebrew, etc. 2. I read to him (EKS also has some children books). I've bought resources from Powell's Books in Portland, who have a rather large offering (≥ 400) of modern Hebrew books. In addition, I let him watch Sesame Street in Hebrew.

 

He can master the grammar latter in his life, but I cannot stress enough that continued exposure to Hebrew (hearing, listening, reading, using the language) would be far more beneficial—and fun!—than learning a grammatical principle. Don't get me wrong, I am a fanatic about grammar. Yet, I think we do a disservice to ourselves and to others when we read a grammar on a language and think that we "know" a language, yet cannot speak the first sentence in such a language.

I've just updated Enscriptured to make it easy for Accordance users to create a Bible reading plan for use in User Tools.

For an example, visit http://www.enscriptu...n.php?planId=31 notice at the bottom where it outputs the plan there are three links, one of them is "Download html for Accordance User Tool". That will download an html file formatted to be easily recognized by the Accordance User Tool.

Once you download the file, open Accordance and go to File / User Files / Import User Tool and follow its steps. Point it to the html file you downloaded from Enscriptured and it should produce your Bible reading plan.

There are still a few glitches on the Enscriptured side, and one remaining pattern matching issue in Accordance (if a passage spans books, such as Day 31 in my example linked above: Accordance doesn't recognize "Genesis 49:28-Exodus 1:7" as one continuous passage. I can adjust Enscriptured to account for that, I just haven't yet).

As it is, it should be useful for anyone who wants to create their own Bible reading plan and use it in Accordance. Please feel free to offer feedback, either on Enscriptured itself or for the way I format the html file it outputs for Accordance.

To all Accordance developers & support:

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you all! You have all helped me to understand Scripture better and serve my congregation. Thank you also for the always prompt support, and the courteous ways you handle questions / requests / complaints from me and others.

Best wishes,

Ken Han

P.S.
Thanks and merry Christmas to all helpful forum members as well!

I'm glad you included pictures of the staff in the newsletter. It's a nice personal touch, especially since many of us have interacted with many of you. Thanks for all of your hard work and the great products.

Not every edition of the same version even has the same pericope headings, so how is it to be decided which is chosen?

Exactly. This more than anything else illustrates that the headings are not part of the text.

I understand the desire to see the headings on occasion (I opened the NET Bible in parallel recently when reading through Song of Solomon just to have the conversation markers). But there are quite a number of problems with inserting the headings directly into the text. I disagree that the electronic editions need to display everything the same way as the print editions. The ESV also has book introductions- should they be inserted too?  I'd like to see the headings in the notes files instead.

I believe Accordance on Windows will be a game-changer for the Bible software industry.

What we're writing is not a simple "port" of the Mac program, with all the hassles that brings. We've witnessed what happens to other companies that have tried this approach [in all sorts of software, not just Bible software]. It can be a real mess. We're re-writing Accordance specifically for Windows, to be as fast and fully-featured on Windows as it is on the Mac.

I suspect we'll be seeing a lot of head-to-head speed trials and feature comparisons on identical machines in 2013. May the best program win!

I taught Bible Studies Methods on an undergraduate level for many years—and wrote a correspondence course based on the class. I've also taught Theological Research Methods on a graduate level. Here's a rough outline of what the course [intended to be a free module within Accordance!] will contain:

Introduction
1. Choosing the "Right" Translation for Bible Study
2. Inductive+ Bible Study
3. Choosing Additional Resources Wisely
4. A Series of Three-Step "How-Tos..." (Study a Word*, Study a Person, Study a Place, Study a Book, Study a Topic, etc.)
5. Putting it All Together: Exegeting a Passage
6. Expository Preaching/Teaching
Conclusion

*-this topic will have two sections: one for those using texts with key numbers, one for those with knowledge of Greek and/or Hebrew.

This project has been in the works for some time, but we wanted to wait until the release of Accordance 10. Now, that Acc 10 is in the wild, our screenshots and video clips (yes, the module will contain both) will be up-to-date. We've also had some internal discussion about releasing this on the iBooks platform as well. We'll see...

I'd like to add a thought to this. We benefit from the fact that Accordance as an app is bundled together with the content that we use in the app, but these really are two different things. Most software companies create software to perform functions, not to generate content. The software is a tool, and we happily buy the software because having good tools allows us to do things we couldn't do without the tools. You don't buy a hammer in order to acquire nails; you buy a hammer to pound the nails. You don't install iTunes because it comes with free music; you install it to play the music. ALL software updates are made for the purpose of improving the tool. This is true for operating systems, web browsers, launch utilities, music players, bible study apps, etc. Accordance 10 is an upgrade to a tool, and it's a fantastic upgrade. Yes, if you already have the content that is included the bundle, you would only be getting the engine. But that's exactly why we all bought Accordance in the first place rather than buying books in print. So to the original poster, I'm not criticizing your decision; you have every right not to upgrade. But nobody who buys the update is getting ripped off; they're getting a better tool. And I think it's well worth the price.

(Disclaimer: I do not work for Accordance.)

We've had a professional UI designer join our team. Incorporating his suggestions is taking just a bit longer than we had anticipated, but I promise the wait will be worth it.

Accordance is now approved by Apple and released in the Mac App Store.

This is a special Scholar's Edition of Accordance designed for an intial purchase by any serious student of the Bible. It includes our usual Scholar's Introductory Level modules together with the ESV with Strong's, the Bible Knowledge Commentary, and the Starter modules. Additional modules purchased on the website can be added to the App Store package through the usual Easy Install.

As more and more new Mac users search for and purchase software only in the App Store, we are confident that our presence in the store will bring Accordance to the attention of many new users.

The Birth of the Messiah and The Death of the Messiah (2 vol.), each by Raymond Brown and published by Anchor Yale provide excellent commentary on the relevant texts for each event. I would purchase these in a heartbeat!

I have not used these particular works, but would consider them if offered.

I would definitely consider the New Jerome Biblical Commentary.

I would also ask (again) for at least some of the Anchor Yale Bible. It is ecumenical in authorship. A few of the commentaries are classic and would be most welcome: Raymond Brown (John, Johannine letters), Joseph Fitzmyer (Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians, Philemon).

Thanks!

What is 'reputation' in user profile and how do you get one?

I believe that the little "+" "-" in the bottom right of each feed contributes to that score. I think the idea is to rate up individual posts that you like or find helpful, which would give that person a "good" reputation. On the flip side if someone is being belligerent, obnoxious, or toeing the line of the guidelines: rate them down.

If we all actually did it, this might be helpful in determining whose advice is the more credible and helpful I suppose.

(Note: I'm a theological conservative / Evangelical / Reformed / Protestant.  Take what I say with a block of salt.)

 

I think it depends on the amount of time you have and the type of study that you are doing.  It should go without saying but it's always best to make this point explicitly:  your first recourse is reading the text and prayer.  Those are "free" and really the best investment of your time.

 

With that said, though I have access to the Greek and the Hebrew when I am preparing quickly for a Bible Study I often open up my favorite study Bibles (ESV Study Bible and Reformation Study Bible) to get a brief overview after reading the text or answer any surface level questions.  I feel like the Bible Speaks Today and the Tyndale series are both very good at answering the types of questions that I have or pointing out things that I've missed and the series is very even (i.e. from what I can see all of the books are of the same quality).

 

When preparing to preach I have much more time and can go more in-depth:  for textual issues in the NT I will look at Metzger, Comfort, and the NETS notes.  For other textual issues I will consult more technical commentaries (though I don't (yet) own those in Accordance).  Some of the public domain or historical commentaries are useful here - like Calvin or Matthew Henry - but only if I have time to sit and digest what they say.  Finally, a commentary set like Pillar or NAC tend to deal with many of the issues that I wrestle with while thinking about how to clearly preach a text.

 

My best advice - pray and read, pray and read.  My next best advice - think about the amount of time and the depth you need to go.  Though I could crack open my Hermenia commentary there may be too much information!  A study Bible may quickly and concisely answer my question.  My problem is most often having too much information - getting on rabbit trails or too technical - rather than not having enough.

 

Bob

I have used different Bible Software programs over the years, some of which have been forgettable, others of which have been horrible, and one of which has been magnificent. (No prizes for guessing which one.) 

 

However, only recently did I discover the value of deciding to use only one program: Accordance. I sold (actually gave away) all my Logos licenses (accumulated over ten years) and decided that I would use only Accordance. It was only then that I began to fully appreciate the power and depth of the program through I had used it for years.

 

I wonder if other users have experienced something similar by honing in on one brand of software? Is there such a thing a software loyalty? Does such loyalty have a reward? I have found that in my case that it does.

 

rari

Would someone please comment on the differences between "Big Kittel" and "Little Kittle?" Are the differences merely the absence of bibliographies and extra-biblical references or are the differences more comprehensive than that?

There is a girth of information that the Abridged version doesn't entertain; extra biblical references being one of those elements. The differences vary article to article. In addition, the included information of the Big Kittel presents a better research partner for linguistic/theological relationships.


From the Abridged version: "Philological, archeological, and other supporting materials have been drastically reduced, as well as references when fewer are sufficient. Footnotes and bibliographies have both been excluded; interested students can find what they require in the original articles. The focus is on the biblical and especially the New Testament usage, so that the related classical, Hellenistic, apocalyptic, rabbinic, and patristic fields receive more cursory attention. In the biblical sphere itself the emphasis falls on the theological meaning in accordance with the main purpose of the enterprise."

The second part of the above paragraph is not to be overlooked! Basically the abridged version limits itself to the NT corpora only, and not the various strands of historical-theological interpretation by various faith communities.

I made a commitment long ago to read the Bible for at least 10 minutes a day. Ever since I got a copy of Accordance, though, my personal study has become so exciting and interesting that I usually spend much more time than that. I was even inspired to tackle Greek because of using Accordance. It's just so nice to have my reference material instantly appear whenever I am trying to understand something or to follow a thought.

It's been 2-1/2 years since I first started using Accordance and I'm increasingly thankful for it.

In the tagged version of the Shepherd of Hermas, Accordance uses the "new" verse numbering system. Although the old system in indicated in the English module, it's clumsy to equate the two systems. Since the "standard" (per SBL Style Guide) is still the older system, I've finally gotten tired of figuring out the correct equivalents, so I've compiled a 2-page conversion table for the two systems. You can find it on my blog:

http://ntresources.com/blog/?p=1144

Josephus poses a similar challenge, but I haven't tackled that one yet--it's a much bigger task.

I've wondered that myself. Apparently, I have a neutral reputation score of 2.