Nate Smoyer, Author at The Logos Blog

How Well Do You Know the Reformation?

Nate Smoyer | Thu, October 31, 2013 | Misc.

The day was October 31, 1517. Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian, took a list of concerns regarding the state of the church and nailed them to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.

That list is now known as the 95 Theses; that late October day, Reformation Day. But there’s so much more to learn:

What led up to the 95 Theses being written?
What were Luther’s original intentions?
Who, besides Luther, was part of this moment?
Was this the actual beginning of what’s now known as the Reformation?

Expand your knowledge of the Reformation

There are many ways to examine the day Luther nailed up the 95 Theses. With Logos 5, you can research the works of Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and others.

Save up to 60% on books and collections such as:

Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics

Regularly $159.95—get it for $109.95 with coupon code REFDAY13

A major study reevaluating the primary sources of the post-Reformation, Richard Muller’s four-volume Post-Reformation Reformed Dogmatics chronicles the development of Reformed theology and the rise of Protestant orthodoxy. This work demands the attention of anyone interested in the history, development, and contemporary expressions of Reformed theology.

The Works of Zwingli

Regularly $69.95—get it for $54.95 with coupon code REFDAY13

Huldrych Zwingli’s contributions to the Reformation may have been just as important as Luther’s and Calvin’s, yet many still don’t know much about him, let alone read his powerful works. Zwingli preached against ecclesial corruption, fasting, the requirement of clergy celibacy, the veneration of saints, excommunication, and more, setting the stage for the Swiss Reformation. The Works of Zwingli (7 vols.) assembles English translations of some of Zwingli’s most important works, and includes historical works about his life and legacy.

The Reformation Study Bible

Regularly $35.95—get it for $25.95 with coupon code REFDAY13

The Reformation Study Bible’s contributing scholars, committed to Scripture’s inerrancy and authority, have the highest academic credentials. These in-depth study notes were compiled from more than 50 distinguished biblical scholars, including Drs. J. I. Packer, James Boice, and Wayne Grudem.

* * *

This sale runs through November 11—check out the rest of our Reformation Day deals!

Win Logos 5 Gold, an iPad mini, and 8 Vyrso Ebooks!

Nate Smoyer | Mon, September 2, 2013 | Misc.

iPad Giveaway

Through October 31, we’re teaming up with The Resurgence Conference (R13) to give away Logos 5 Gold, an iPad Mini, and eight Vyrso books!¹

Resurgence 2013, running November 5–6, will feature some of today’s most influential pastors and authors, including Mark Driscoll, Rick Warren, Matt Chandler, Greg Laurie, James MacDonald, Crawford Loritts, and others.

“We don’t make the Bible relevant, we show the relevance of the Bible.” —Mark Driscoll

The Resurgence aims to teach “a lifetime of lessons from ministry leaders who have seen God’s faithfulness as they responded to his call.” The main location will be Mars Hill Church in Seattle, with four broadcast satellite locations—Bellevue, WA; Reno, NV; Orlando, FL; and Albuquerque, NM.

Don’t miss out on this giveaway! Here are the Vyrso books you could win:

Mark Driscoll’s A Call to Resurgence
Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Church
Matt Chandler’s Explicit Gospel
Greg Laurie’s Lost Boy

[Read more…]

Entry closes October 31. We’ll select and notify the winner November 1. If you win and you already own Logos 5 and/or any of the above-mentioned books, you’ll receive Logos.com credit in place of the prizes. The winner will be requested to fill out a W-9 in order to claim their prize. By entering the giveaway, you’re opting in to receive emails from Logos and Logos partners. [↩]

10 Powerful Quotes from William Wilberforce

Nate Smoyer | Sat, August 24, 2013 | Misc.

For English abolitionist William Wilberforce (August 24, 1759–July 29, 1833), campaigning against slavery was a natural extension of appreciating Christ’s love. Wilberforce’s compassion and his high view of Christian ideals shine through in his writings.

Though Wilberforce wrote only one book, A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, many of his other writings and sayings appear as a daily devotional in 365 Days with Wilberforce.

The following quotes were assembled using these two resources, as well as 300 Quotations for Preachers from the Modern Church and 300 Quotations for Preachers:

Wilberforce on faith, responsibility, and more

1. “No one expects to attain to the height of learning, or arts, or power, or wealth, or military glory, without vigorous resolution, strenuous diligence, and steady perseverance. Yet we expect to be Christians without labour, study, or inquiry.” [Read more…]

Who Was John Owen? His Life and Legacy

Nate Smoyer | Sat, August 24, 2013 | Misc.

John Owen (1616–August 24, 1683) was one of the world’s greatest Reformed theologians. Through August 27, you can use coupon code JOHNOWEN2013 to get $130 off his collected works.

(From 300 Quotations for Preachers.)

“I thank God for John Owen’s unwavering passion for communion with God. We are debtors to his mighty pen and to the passion for God’s glory . . . that drove it.” —John Piper

“To have known the pastoral ministry of John Owen . . . (albeit in written form) has been a rich privilege; to have known Owen’s God an even greater one.” —Sinclair Ferguson

Originally a Presbyterian, Owen, influenced by the works of John Cotton, came to believe in a more Congregational form of church government. He served as dean of Christ Church in Oxford from 1651 to 1660, when the monarchy was reestablished and he was ejected. [Read more…]

Last Chance: Free Commentary on Mark

Nate Smoyer | Tue, August 20, 2013 | Misc., Products

Today is the last day to get Larry W. Hurtado’s Understanding the Bible Commentary: Mark for free! This freebie is part of our 500K celebration—be sure to check out all the other deals, including a free $20 gift certificate.

Who is Larry W. Hurtado?

Larry W. Hurtado is emeritus professor of New Testament language, literature, and theology at the University of Edinburgh. An internationally respected New Testament scholar, he is an expert on the Gospels, the apostle Paul, early Christology, the Jewish background of the New Testament, and New Testament textual criticism. He is a coeditor of Jesus among Friends and Enemies: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Jesus in the Gospels and The Dead Sea Scrolls in Their Historical Context, and the author of Text-Critical Methodology and the Pre-Caesarean Text: Codex W in the Gospel of Mark.

Understanding the Bible Commentary Series

The Understanding the Bible Commentary Series is a collaboration between 20 different authors. The 18 vol. New Testament set has been praised by one Logos user as:

“. . . simply [p]henomenal–the authors are the best bar-none—FF Bruce, Craig Evans, Donald Hagner . . . there is simply no set, none, that you will find this stacked on scholarship for this price. There is simply none.”
—J. R. Woods

[Read more…]

God’s Favorite Place on Earth: An Interview with Frank Viola

Nate Smoyer | Wed, August 14, 2013 | Misc.

Frank Viola is a blogger, speaker, and writer. Viola, the author of several titles available through Vyrso and Logos, has just completed a book titled God’s Favorite Place on Earth. We interviewed Viola to get his perspective on his latest work.

You recently released a new book, God’s Favorite Place on Earth. What’s behind the title?

When he came to earth, Jesus was rejected everywhere he went. There was only one exception. In the book, I detail what that exception is, and I show that God wants all of us, as well as our churches, to be his “favorite place on earth” today. The book unfolds how that can be done and what it entails.

Reading the story of Jesus as a narrative may be a new idea for some people. What do you hope people will gain from reading this?

It puts readers into the story. I also blend a great deal of first-century history into the narrative. The result: the Gospels open up and Jesus comes alive. [Read more…]

Free LEB New Testament Read-Along for Desktop and Mobile

Nate Smoyer | Wed, July 3, 2013 | Logos Training, Products

Now you can simultaneously read and listen to the New Testament using the Lexham English Bible’s New Testament audio read-along feature for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices!

Audio New Testament for PC and Mac

The Lexham English Bible’s New Testament is now available as a free audio read-along resource. The Lexham English Bible is a standard resource included with each base package purchase. If you don’t yet own a base package, you can add this Bible to your library—free.

Audio New Testament for mobile

The free Logos Bible app for iOS and Android comes loaded with several Bible translations, books, and study features. When you download the Logos app and create an account, you get access to even more free resources—69 total. One of the included resources is the Lexham English Bible (LEB), with the new free audio read-along.

This new feature will briefly display a circle at the start of each verse (as you pass it) to help you keep your place. Listen to your Bible as you read, pause to highlight a verse and compose a Community Note, and press play to continue reading and listening. Take your Bible study with you throughout the day—listen to the LEB New Testament on your way to work, during lunch, while out for a jog, or while you’re cooking dinner. [Read more…]

3 Ways to Learn from Charles Spurgeon

Nate Smoyer | Wed, June 19, 2013 | Products

Charles Spurgeon’s impact was enormous. You’ll come across his name in Bible study guides, seminary-required curricula, and many of your resources in Logos.

“With whom among men can you compare [Spurgeon]? He combined the preaching power of Jonathan Edwards and Whitefield with the organizing power of Wesley, and the energy, fire, and courage of Luther.” —B. H. Carroll

On June 19, 1834, Spurgeon was born in Kelvedon, UK. At 15, he accepted Christ and joined a Baptist church. In fact, most people would describe his theology as Calvinist; Spurgeon, though, said that “if I am asked what is my creed, I reply, ‘It is Jesus Christ.’”

In honor of Spurgeon’s birthday, we’re highlighting a few resources for those looking to learn from his years of study:

1. Charles Spurgeon Collection

Regularly ~~$499~~—$399 using coupon code SPURGEON13

Through June 22, save $100 on the Charles Spurgeon Collection (149 vols.), an invaluable tool for both sermon preparation and personal understanding. The Charles Spurgeon Collection offers over 3,550 sermons, as well as many of Spurgeon’s commentaries and lectures, his autobiography, The Sword and the Trowel, and much more. [Read more…]

7 Encouraging Quotes from Charles Simeon

Nate Smoyer | Mon, May 27, 2013 | Misc., Products

Horae Homileticae, Galatians to Ephesians by Charles Simeon is free through May 31—get yours today!

This 12-chapter book is full of scholarly, spiritually rich writings on Galatians and Ephesians. Charles Simeon does a wonderful job of breaking down themes chapter by chapter, providing you with powerful insight into these biblical books. Here are seven encouraging quotes from Galatians to Ephesians:

“Thus we, in our respective situations, may be called upon, by those who are in authority over us, to neglect or violate a positive duty: but we must not give place by subjection, no, not for an hour; but ‘must obey God rather than man;’ and must ‘resist unto blood, striving against sin;’ and glory in death itself, when sustained in such a cause.”

“But the Lord Jesus Christ, by his obedience unto death, has both fulfilled its demands, and suffered its penalties, for us; and has thus freed us from it as a covenant, and has brought us into a better covenant, the covenant of grace.” [Read more…]