Getting to Know Greg Monette: Faithlife’s Canadian Representative

| Fri, February 6, 2015 | Misc.

Greg MonetteJust over a year ago, Greg Monette joined Faithlife as our Canadian market manager. Some of you may have seen him at conferences and events across Canada over the past year, but if you haven’t yet met him, here’s your chance to get to know him and hear about his upcoming events.

1. Tell us about yourself.

Joining the team at Faithlife was a proud moment for me. I knew I was becoming part of a special team of people working to improve the way the Bible is studied around the world. My one-year anniversary was this past October, and my pride in this company has increased drastically since I started.

I’m a passionate Canadian who cares deeply about biblical literacy in my country of origin. I’ve lived in Canada my entire life. Canada is home. My wife, Julie, and I have been married for six years and have a joint mission in helping the Christian community in Canada to become even more relevant in our own lifetime. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has changed our lives and we know the power it has to transform communities. We know about Jesus from the Bible and because of the separation in millennia that separates us from the person of Jesus it is crucial that people are equipped with solid tools to help them go deeper in their study of Scripture than they ever dreamed was possible.

This is what Faithlife’s signature software, Logos Bible Software, is all about. It is a time machine that takes us back close to the time of Jesus so that his message can continue to transform the world. I’m excited when other people discover the true meaning of a particular verse or passage of Scripture for the first time. There is no greater feeling than to know what Jesus’ words really mean!

2. What gets you excited about our products?

As previously mentioned, we are separated from the time of Jesus by more than two millennia. In order to comprehend his message, we need good tools to help us uncover the meaning of Scripture in its original context.

Logos Bible Software is a well-stocked toolbox that provides the student of Scripture with what they need to peel through the multiple layers that separate us from the intricate details of what the Bible really says. From original-language tools, commentaries, background information, archaeological discoveries, maps, and fresh video content describing the Holy Land, there is really no better toolbox that one could own other than living at Oxford, Cambridge, Duke, or any other world-class university full time.

Simply put, Logos Bible Software brings the best of the best of biblical research and study into our own homes and for our convenience. Millions of hours of research and development (by hundreds of employees and sub-contractors) has made this possible.

3. What’s your favorite feature in the software?

My favourite feature in Logos Bible Software is still the fact that I can have thousands of commentaries, theological works, and original-language tools on my laptop wherever I am. My library goes with me. It doesn’t matter if I’m in a coffee shop, in an airplane, at home at my desk, or on vacation. I have a library that rivals many Bible colleges on my MacBook Pro! I still find this jaw-dropping.

I went to seminary and would spend hours in the library checking out commentaries, then would use commentaries to hold open other commentaries so that I could write down quotations. Not any more. I just highlight the section from Logos Bible Software that I want to include in my research and copy and paste it into my document, and the footnote is automatically produced for me! This is my favourite feature. I would purchase the software if this was all it did. But boy does it do a lot more than that!

4. What add-on product can you not live without?

This is a bit of shameless self-promotion, but I won’t be able to live without a copy of my own book, The Wrong Jesus. It’s in Pre-Pub right now, and I’m hoping it will become a Logos resource in the next year!

5. What is your market like? Who do you serve?

My market is Canada. Yes, that’s a big market. Canada is the second largest country in the world in land size (next to Russia), though our population is only one tenth the size of the US.

I present at conferences across the country and introduce Canadians to Faithlife and our signature product, Logos Bible Software. People often think that my target audience is pastors. Although pastors make up a significant segment of the Canadian Logos customer base, the majority of users are actually laypeople. We also have excellent relationships with a number of Canadian seminaries and Bible colleges.

6. What are some goals or plans you have for your market?

My number-one goal for the Canadian market this year is to present Logos at more conferences than ever before. We know that when we introduce people to the power of this software, they will understand what the hype is all about. I can remember when Starbucks first opened up in Nova Scotia where I live. People weren’t quite sure about it. Now, everyone knows about Starbucks and it has made a great impression on Canadian coffee drinkers. I’m totally convinced Logos Bible Software will do the same thing in the Canadian Christian market.

7. What are some upcoming events you’ll be at?

I’m excited to be presenting at the Apologetics Canada Conferences in both Vancouver and Toronto in March and April. I’m also really looking forward to returning to Saskatchewan to the Women’s Journey of Faith conference this Spring. Jodi Kozan (president and founder of WJOF) has created, in my opinion, the model for running a women’s conference in Canada. These are just a couple of the many conferences I will be presenting at this Spring.

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Learn more about Greg and his work on his website, GregMonette.com, or get to know him on the forums!

Meet David De Mers: Faithlife’s Australian Representative

| Thu, January 1, 2015 | Misc.

david-de-mers-australian-repDid you know that Faithlife reaches over 190 countries around the world? In the last year, we even hired a few people to help us out in some of those faraway areas. David De Mers is our sole authorized Faithlife representative in Australia, but he also serves some of the surrounding nations. We interviewed David so you could get to know him a little bit better, too.

1. Tell us about yourself.

I am married with five children ages 24, 21, 12, 5, and 3. I have lived in Australia for three years now, though my wife, Kim, was born and raised in Manly, New South Wales, Australia. I am a permanent resident visa holder. I hold a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and a master’s degree from Bethel University/Seminary. Currently, I’m in my second year of doctoral studies at the University of Newcastle, NSW. I enjoy many things in life, but my love of God helps me better love my family, friends, and those just needing a helping hand.

2. What gets you excited about our products?

Faithlife products are designed to help all of us better understand, interpret, and live the Word of God as found in the Bible. All the Faithlife products are excellent, but the ones I find most practical and useful are the apps for my iPad and iPhone. I use the Noet, Faithlife Study Bible, Logos, and now the new Every Day Bible apps all on a daily basis. I find that the products we can use in a practical manner and on the go are the best.

3. What’s your favorite feature in the software?

I love everything about Logos. I have been a consistent user since 2008 when I first started my seminary studies. I could not have finished my master’s without it. My favorite features are the new contextual tools found in Logos 6. My master’s degree focused on biblical and theological cultural contextualization, so naturally I love these new features. Being able to access, view, and use the Cultural Concepts tool, the Ancient Literature tool, and the new Atlas tool helps me get a total view of the Bible’s contextual meaning.

4. What add-on product can you not live without?

My favorite add-on product is Noet’s Modern Philosophy Research Library that I added to my Logos collection. I love the new authors and content, and I find that the material complements my existing scholarly readings well.

david-de-mers-australian-rep-25. What is your market like? Who do you serve?

My market is all of Australia, and by default many parts of Oceania. I serve over 12,000 current Logos users in Australia, including church pastors, lay pastors, administrative personnel, and lay Christians of all types. I also serve a large academic sector here in Australia, and we are just beginning to make inroads into the huge private and public high-school market. I also serve the numerous Christian conference-goers here as well.

6. What are some goals or plans you have for your market?

I have ambitious goals for Australia in 2015. First, I’d like to offer consistent training classes at all the capital cities in Australia. Secondly, I plan to hold academic demos at more than 25 Bible colleges and seminaries in Australia and Oceania. This plan also calls for facilitating and presenting at about 15 conferences in the region. Lastly, as I mentioned before, I plan on targeting numerous private and public high schools, starting in Sydney and then moving beyond in order to ensure the schools have our Bible and language tools at their disposal.

7. What are some upcoming events you’ll be at?

For the first part of 2015, I have a heavy travel commitment to visit pastors in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. Mixed in with those events, I have multiple training seminars in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Then on the schedule there are academic demos in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. It will be a busy first quarter here in Australia!

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Learn more about David on his website, Saul2Paul.com, or get to know him on the forums!

Get Awesome Discounts on 180+ Products

| Tue, July 8, 2014 | Products

SocialShare612x612_2-300x300This month, we’ve loaded Logos.com with tons of irresistible deals. It’s time to check on those resources you’ve been wanting—you just might find the deal you’ve been waiting for!

Here are a few highlights from this month’s sale:

A.W. Tozer Collection

Now 48% off!

A.W. Tozer was a compelling preaching and prolific writer, famous for his practical, invigorating messages. The A.W. Tozer Collection gives you the chance to meet this remarkable man and hear his lessons for the church today.

institutes-of-the-christian-religionInstitutes of the Christian Religion

Now 21% off!

John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion is a monumental work that stands among the greatest texts of Christian theology and Western literature. Put together by scholars of the Latin, German, and French versions, this set is a huge addition to the canon of systematic theology in the Reformed tradition.

Introduction to World Religions

Now 57% off!

This is a great resource for understanding (and connecting with) people from other faith traditions. The Church Times writes that this is “a moving and illuminating book. [There’s] nothing on the market remotely comparable in scope, balance, readability, and sensitivity.”

Check out all the deals this month—this could be your chance to finally add the resources you’ve been wanting!

Free Book: The Righteousness of Faith according to Luther

| Tue, July 1, 2014 | Products

July FBOTMThis month, you can get Hans J. Iwand’s The Righteousness of Faith according to Luther for free!

Iwand’s 1941 monograph is an important contribution to our contemporary understanding of Luther’s theological significance. At long last, Randi H. Lundell’s beautiful translation makes it available to English-language readers.

“The Righteousness of Faith according to Luther is more than just another historical study of a Reformation theme; it is a vigorous exercise in pastoral dogmatics. Iwand teases out the nuances in Luther’s distinction of the law from the gospel with provocative insights on nearly every page. This is a volume not simply for Reformation scholars but for seminarians, pastors and thoughtful laity.”
—John T. Pless, Concordia Theological Seminary

Then get another book for just 99¢!

PlusOne_150x244For only 99¢ more, you can download Brett Muhlhan’s Being Shaped by Freedom: An Examination of Luther’s Development of Christian Liberty.

Did Luther get Christian freedom right? Muhlhan seeks the question by examining two related questions:

  • What is Luther’s understanding of Christian freedom?
  • How did his understanding stand up under the pressure of reformation?

Muhlhan contends that the sublime beauty of Luther’s early understanding of Christian freedom—an understanding that empowered the German Reformation—is consistently the same understanding he used to undermine papal heteronomy and refute radical legalism.

“This well-researched and well-written book is a unique contribution to Luther studies. No other work so clearly and creatively demonstrates how Luther’s concept of inner freedom works out in the early, difficult social situations the reformer faced.”
—Michael Parsons, Spurgeon’s College

Luther’s bold claims and controversial opinions have been picked apart by scholars and theologians since the sixteenth century. Iwand and Muhlhan give insightful context and though-provoking views to help you wrestle with a few of the same things Luther found himself up against.

Get The Righteousness of Faith according to Luther for free, and then get Being Shaped by Freedom: An Examination of Luther’s Development of Christian Liberty for just 99¢ more!

 
P.S. Check out the July giveaway page: you could win part 1 of the 15-volume Select Studies in Martin Luther’s Life and Influence collection!

Get 30% Off Jonathan Edwards’ Most Complete Works

| Fri, June 27, 2014 | Products

the-works-of-jonathan-edwardsThere’s a good chance you’ve read Jonathan Edwards’ best-known sermon: “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” which resulted from Edwards’ struggle to convey the graphic events of Revelation to his congregation. But Edwards wrote much, much more than that.

He was a brilliant, God-fearing man. He helped trigger the Great Awakening, he was the third president of what’s now Princeton University, and he’s been dubbed one of America’s most important theologians.

In the words of John Piper,

“there are few [theologians] in the world who combine the sharpness of mind, the scope of thought, the allegiance to Scripture, the depth of insight, the intensity of affections, the height of imagination, and the power of expression that he brings to all his work.”

Get best price on Edwards’ works in the new Yale editions!

Jonathan Edwards’ writings continue to challenge and shape the church today. Over the past few years, Yale University has been publishing original manuscripts that have never been seen before by the public. These manuscripts make up an entirely new collection of sermons, letters, and personal writings, taken down in Edwards’ original handwriting. The new Works of Jonathan Edwards editions feature critical introductions, analyses, commentaries, reflections, and more.

The 26-volume print set from the Yale University Press sells for more than $2,700, but when you pre-order the Logos edition of The Works of Jonathan Edwards, you get a far better price—not to mention integration with your Logos library and tools. This edition won’t just save you space on your bookshelf; it’ll save you time, too.

Still not convinced?

Take it from Piper:

“The God-enthralled vision of Jonathan Edwards is rare and necessary, because its foundations are so massive and its fruit so beautiful. May the Lord himself open our eyes to see it . . . and be changed.”

Get the best price: pre-order The Works of Jonathan Edwards today!

Get Smarter Search Results

| Thu, September 12, 2013 | Misc.

It’s important to make the most of your time in the Word. Logos 5’s Clause Search gives you more precise results—faster than ever.

Sometimes regular searches are just too broad. If you search for “heal,” wanting to find every instance of Jesus’ healing, you’ll be stuck wading through irrelevant results. But with Clause Search, you can define your search terms as specific parts of speech (verb, noun, etc.). Search for subject:“Jesus” verb:“heal” and you’ll find just what you’re looking for.

Check it out:

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Haven’t upgraded to Logos 5 yet?

Time is running out! The easiest way to get your discount is to use the Custom Upgrade Discount Calculator at Logos.com/Upgrade, but if you’d prefer to talk through your options, call us at 800-875-6467. Don’t wait—these discounts end soon!

How to Find Exactly What You’re Looking For

| Wed, September 4, 2013 | Misc.

Logos 5’s Search Suggestions feature makes searching Scripture easier and more precise. Even if you’re not quite sure what to search for, Search Suggestions walks you through the steps.

Don’t remember how to spell an original-language word? Sound it out and start typing—Search Suggestions converts phonetic spellings to Greek or Hebrew. It recognizes basic, Bible, Clause, morphology, and syntax searches, prompting you with examples before you’re even finished typing. It even remembers your previous searches and recommends new topics.

See how it works:

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Haven’t upgraded to Logos 5 yet?

Time is running out! The easiest way to get your discount is to use the Custom Upgrade Discount Calculator at Logos.com/Upgrade, but if you’d prefer to talk through your options, call us at 800-875-6467. Don’t wait—these discounts end soon!

Understand Biblical Words

| Tue, August 13, 2013 | Misc.

The Bible Sense Lexicon, unique to Logos 5, lets you search for a noun in English, Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic and see its shades of meaning as it appears throughout the Bible. This tool differentiates original-language word senses, helping you understand Scripture as its inspired authors intended. You’ll make connections with the Bible Sense Lexicon’s clear visual layout:

Learn more about Logos 5’s features, and upgrade to Logos 5 today!

What It’s Really Like to Use Logos 5

| Mon, July 29, 2013 | Misc., Products

Our goal is to make the very best tools for Bible study, but measuring that success comes down to you. Your feedback is how we know we’re on the right track.

That’s why we care so much about endorsements—they paint a picture of what it’s really like to use Logos.

Here’s what Jon Micah Sumrall, lead singer of Kutless, has to say about Logos 5:

What others are saying:

“Logos 5 is an incredible tool that instantly connects me with everything and everyone I need to get the Word out, from its Timeline to smart searches to social sharing.” —Kirk Cameron, producer of Monumental: In Search of America’s National Treasure and star of the international hit Fireproof [Read more…]

Take 50% off Topical Bundles When You Upgrade to Logos 5

| Thu, July 25, 2013 | Products

Right now, with upgrade discounts, you can save big when you upgrade to Logos 5. And to sweeten the deal, you can also get 50% off topical bundles when you upgrade!

A base package upgrade gives you access to all kinds of new resources and features; topical bundles, designed as base package supplements, allow you to tailor your library to the subjects that interest you most. You can study your discipline-specific bundles with Logos 5’s smart features—Clause Search, Topic Guide, and more.

Here are some of our most popular bundles:

new-testament-studies-bundle-xl

New Testament Studies Bundle

Regularly $859.90—only $429.95 with your Logos 5 upgrade

This 45-resource supplement offers everything you need for in-depth research on the New Testament. You’ll study depictions of Christ in the media, gender roles in the writings of Luke and John, the relationship between community and ethics, the latest research in historical-Jesus studies, and much more.

pauline-studies-bundle-xlPauline Studies Bundle

Regularly $659.90—only $329.95 with your Logos 5 upgrade

This bundle gives you several volumes that look closely at specific passages and interpretive issues in Paul’s letters, as well a broader overview in Paul and His Letters by John B. Polhill. Other volumes address Acts’ accuracy, the relationship between Peter and Paul, and topics related to the New Perspective, justification, and atonement. [Read more…]