SteveP Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 As a prospective new user of Accordance, I am reading much about the variety of resources available in the various Library editions. I don't think that at this point the Scholar editions are a fit, I do just English language studies. At any rate, many of these works are things I am not familiar with. Is there any sort of assessment of where these resources come down positionally? Are they liberal? More Conservative? Reformed? Calvinistic? Armenianistic? What? I'd like to know which of the resources are in line with where I am so I know how many I would actually be using on a regular basis. Yes, I know that it is also good to know what others think, but even then it is nice to know from which bias the work originated. Also, I see some of the add-ons are highly recommended, like the Anchor set and IVP set... I'd be interested in info on those as well. Maybe this is all available already and I just haven't seen it, I'd be grateful for pointers. Thanks for any input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Brown Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 We really do not classify our resources by their theological positions. There is such a spectrum of view points and many do not fall neatly into a specific camp. So much depends also on the reader's views. A commentary that may seem conservative to a liberal scholar may be regarded as liberal by a conservative. The more modern works can generally be assumed to be in line with the positions of the publisher. I would say that most publications of Broadman-Holman, Inter-Varsity, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan are generally conservative on the liberal-conservative axis, but middle of the road on the reformed-arminian axis. Anchor Bible Dictionary has articles by authors from many different viewpoints so you will not find a uniform position there. In the Library Collection, apart from the newly added Holman titles, we have mostly older public domain works that were etexted by different people as a public service. These are almost all conservative, but there is a wide variety of theology from Wesley to Calvin. You may want to ask your friends for evaluations of the different works and their closeness to your own position. We always recommend that you personally evaluate carefully everything you read, whatever the source. No person or group has a monopoly on the truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Bennett Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 As a prospective new user of Accordance, I am reading much about the variety of resources available in the various Library editions. I don't think that at this point the Scholar editions are a fit, I do just English language studies. At any rate, many of these works are things I am not familiar with. Is there any sort of assessment of where these resources come down positionally? Are they liberal? More Conservative? Reformed? Calvinistic? Armenianistic? What? I'd like to know which of the resources are in line with where I am so I know how many I would actually be using on a regular basis. Yes, I know that it is also good to know what others think, but even then it is nice to know from which bias the work originated. Also, I see some of the add-ons are highly recommended, like the Anchor set and IVP set... I'd be interested in info on those as well. Maybe this is all available already and I just haven't seen it, I'd be grateful for pointers. Thanks for any input! Since most, if not all, of the resources in question correspond to a print edition you should be able to find reviews or other information to help you in your decision based on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveP Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 We really do not classify our resources by their theological positions. Fair enough, and I suppose in your position of trying to reach as broad a market as possible you have to take the position of including as much as you can and leave it up to those who will consume the content to decide what they will find useful. I would say that most publications of Broadman-Holman, Inter-Varsity, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan are generally conservative on the liberal-conservative axis, but middle of the road on the reformed-arminian axis. Anchor Bible Dictionary has articles by authors from many different viewpoints so you will not find a uniform position there. I haven't considered Zondervan conservative for a long time now. But that just goes to show about the variance on how folks will classify things, doesn't it? No person or group has a monopoly on the truth. Just Jesus. And if one were to dispute that he was a person, and ascended bodily into heaven, then there are bigger issues afoot... Thanks for the input, and RickBennett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hall Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Thanks for the input, and RickBennett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveP Posted March 10, 2009 Author Share Posted March 10, 2009 I thought I might give my 2 cents (for what it's worth). I have Library 8 Premiere and have found that most of the commentaries and resources give a relatively balanced perspective. As a Baptist there are some modules I definitely use more than others (BK Commentary, NIBC, Keil & Delitzsch, Calvin to list a few). I am sure that you will find Accordance as a software is superb ... and the people at Accordance are a joy to know and work with. Thanks so much, Tim. I'm sure you are right. As I read more through the forum and see the great level of support that has been provided and have watched the videos (promo and some of the training) it is clear that this is a product that is a labor of love for the Word and to make it as accessible as possible, short of giving it all away for free. Although I belong to a unaffiliated church, we bear the label "Baptist" as well. I wouldn't necessarily label myself as a Baptist inasmuch as it would apply to any particular grouping, but the distinctives of the faith that have been largely identified as Baptist are a solid base for what I believe, so it is encouraging to read of your great report. I have decided to go ahead and make the purchase of the Library 8 Premier set just as you referenced, and look forward to seeing how it can assist in making the time I spend in study more productive. It can't get here soon enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRASLAN Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 I don't run in theological circles so I am not aware of what different volumes have what stance. Is there a site or resourse outside of Accordance that would give a general overview of various works? thanks, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Jenney Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I don't run in theological circles so I am not aware of what different volumes have what stance. Is there a site or resourse outside of Accordance that would give a general overview of various works?thanks, Steve Hi, Steve! Love the "running in theological circles" metaphor. LOL A good starting point for the commentaries in our collection is Best Commentaries . While you are building your own expertise in this area, let me recommend two good rules of thumb: 1. Don't simply accept everything you read from any writer or speaker (1 Cor. 14:29). 2. Read books that are wider than your own personal beliefs. You'll find good material in most all of them if you exercise discernment. You'll also be better informed about what "the other side" believes (great for Christian apologetics!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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