Help me decide which book orders to cancel!

[Unix]

I should cancel some of my book orders, there's still time to cancel any of these. Help me to decide which ones!

I'm unsure of titles such as:
Catholic Practicum: Learn to Use Logos Bible Software - Logos Bible Software $130.
Justpeace Ethics: A Guide to Restorative Justice and Peacebuilding - Logos Bible Software $11
The Messages of the Books - Logos Bible Software $0 (I don't want worthless books to clutter my library.
Worship in the Early Church: An Anthology of Historical Sources (4 vols.) - Logos Bible Software $100

I'm also a bit unsure about most books, such as:
At Long Last! Ceslas Spicq's “The Epistle to the Hebrews” Will Be Translated | Logos Talk: The Logos Bible Software Blog $40
The Bible Promise Book - Catholic Edition - Vyrso $4½.

See below image for complete list. There's only a week, until April 11. 2013 to cancel the 4 at the top:

... ask if You want links to discussions about any of these books!
(My Logos profile: Unix.)

 

[Unix]

I'm canceling the Anabaptist and Mennonite Studies Collection (16 vols.) $200.

 

[Unix]

I think I'll remove the Steve Ray collection.

 

[tall73]

Catholic Practicum: Learn to Use Logos Bible Software - Logos Bible Software $130.


This appears to be an instructional resource, but I would think you could pick up a lot of this information through other means. without spending that kind of money.

 

[dumpsterdiver45]

So, is this not-so-carefully designed spam? Who in the realm of normally funcationing humans is so indecisive that he has to ask others to help decide which book orders to cancel?

 

[Unix]

Soulgazer wrote in a PM to me: "Really, it just depends on how far down the rabbit hole you wish to go. I have been studying for almost two decades now, and sad to say, there is no way one person can possibly learn it all. Every rock we turn over points to another rock that has to be turned over. It's like trying to stuff the BB's back into a shotgun shell after two milenia of people insisting there was no shotgun shell to begin with--- The people who should know don't, and the people who do know are trying not to upset the people that don't. I'm not trying to discourage you, I just want to point out the reality of studying history that overturns what people believe. When you discover new things, don't expect to be thanked for it!"

There's so many scholarly books, devotionals and language tools, it's importa to make the right choices what to buy:

Who in the realm of normally functioning humans is so indecisive that he has to ask others to help decide which book orders to cancel?

I have a couple of arguments for keeping the order:

1. I don't have internet.
2. The DVD would be a way to make use of books that I have. I have many of the books which it specifically deals with and/or I get recommendations of useful books from higher base-packages, to buy individually.

Yes it's expensive, but at some point I would like to discuss less on Logos User Forums, it often takes some time to gather information from the Logos forum:

Catholic Practicum: Learn to Use Logos Bible Software - Logos Bible Software $130.

This appears to be an instructional resource, but I would think you could pick up a lot of this information through other means. without spending that kind of money.

 

[Heterodoxus]

I voted for you to cancel the books which seem, to me, to have a denominational spin and, therefore, likely to be the least helpful toward a better understanding of what Orthodox Christianity was and has become.

I suggest, to help you to better decide for yourself which books to cancel, that you consider the background of the author (their religious affiliation, if known) and the publisher ("follow the money").

Works for me!

 

[Soulgazer]

You know, there is an important resource that you should make use of when you can. I realize that the internet is troublesome for you, but Early Christian Writings: New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, Church Fathers has a lot of background information as well as a bibliography that will help you go in the direction you want.

 

[rEACHout4all]

Why buy books when they are free to read at the library or online?

I think you should...
Cancel them all.

 

[Unix]

I don't have internet, the libraries nearby are lousy when it comes to this, and even the library in the city centre is not so good. I live in an area of 2 million inhabitants known for being the most non-religious in the world after Estonia:

Why buy books when they are free to read at the library or online?

The NIDB too? The closest library that has it is at the end of the commuter train line and the ticket costs $9½ and is valid 2 hours. There are no equally good Bible dictionaries in any other library nor any up-to-date ones online:

I think you should...
Cancel them all.

 

[Unix]

$40 is a lot of money. I wonder what use there is for that epistle?:

I'm also a bit unsure about most books, such as:
At Long Last! Ceslas Spicq's “The Epistle to the Hebrews” Will Be Translated | Logos Talk: The Logos Bible Software Blog $40

 

[Unix]

Thanks for responses so far!
Yesterday I placed a pre-pub order, $150, on: International Critical Commentary Upgrade Collection (6 vols.)
... but I'm already starting to regret it. What do You think, should I cancel it? Maybe I could manage without the Jn 1-5 grammar? Out of those I have Isaiah 40-55 volume 2 as hardback and it's good, I'm going to write a review on Logos about that volume + use it in the discussion: Isaiah 53 Analysis.
The volumes typically cost $55 a piece in Logos.

I asked about the epistles of Philemon and Hebrews from two Unorthodox-forum -users, and it seems like neither of those epistles would be a priority. Philemon is included in International Critical Commentary Upgrade Collection (6 vols.).

• ... so I think I'm cancelling Spicq's The Epistle to the Hebrews - it costs too much.

• As I'm probably giving away the following books from the RC Logos 5 base-package:
  A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (even though this one was recommended by the professor in the Old Testament studies class which I'm going to take, although Catholic Study Bible, 2nd ed. and the commentaries I have should replace it).
  Co-Workers of the Truth: Meditations for Every Day of the Year, by Ratzinger and Grassl
  Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week; From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection, by Ratzinger
  The Major Works of Anselm of Canterbury (4 vols.)
  The Divine Armory of Holy Scripture, by Vaughan
  The Book of Saints, by Benedictine monks of st. Augustine's Abbey
  Ecclesiastical Dictionary: Containing, in Concise Form, Information upon Ecclesiastical, Biblical, Archæological, and Historical Subjects
  Catholic Pocket Dictionary and Cyclopedia
  A Catholic Dictionary, by Addis and Arnold
  Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series (Catholic Edition) (14 vols.)
  The reverse interlinear part of the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition New Testament
• ... it then looks like i'll also be cancelling the Catholic Practicum DVD. I forgot to mention that postage cost would also be added to the DVD.
  I'm also probably giving away the Bible Promise Book - Catholic Edition.
  I'm giving away to a person who lives on a disability income and has only $7 a month left over and is specifically interested in RC books.

On Friday April 5. I placed a community pricing order, $40 on: The James Orr Collection (21 vols.). Here's information about the author (he is also on Wikipedia): CP: The James Orr Collection (21 vols.) - Logos Bible Software Forums
What do You think about it, would it be worth the $40? Notice that it contains some pages on the Gospel of Peter!:

$40 is a lot of money. I wonder what use there is for that epistle?:

I'm also a bit unsure about most books, such as:
At Long Last! Ceslas Spicq's “The Epistle to the Hebrews” Will Be Translated | Logos Talk: The Logos Bible Software Blog $40

 

[rEACHout4all]

I think you should reconsider.
Call the library and give them a list of books and authors to request that they get.
You might be surprised at the positive response.

I recently told a library about Phil K.D. Now, they carry almost everything by him.

Trains are fun. I've had a lot of Godly experiences at train stations, while on the train, or traveling.
I think traveling is dextramental to spiritual growth.

Its good to get out of our realm.
They need us.

Another thought on public books is that a book can be like a bottle you throw out to sea...
You may find a message from a stranger.
Maybe be the one to write a message for a stranger.

Strange is synonmes for mysterious, and God works in strange ways.


Jesus says: "The Kingdom of the Father is like a woman who takes a vessel of flour and sets out on a long road. The handle of the vessel broke: the flour spilled out on the road behind her without her knowing it and stopping it. When she arrived at the house she put the vessel down and found it was empty."

(Gospel of Thomas - 97)

 

[Unix]

Even the city library's department on Christianity is small, and the closer ones even smaller. I think the library I already have myself, is already better, before these pre-pub orders. They won't consider these books. Besides, did You notice that there's another book that costs $0 in the list, so I wonder why You are asking me to cancel them all as You seem to imply that owning books is a really financial problem? True I'm poor, but I'm conserned about what books to read.

Things are very different over here, this is the second most atheistic place in the world:

I think you should reconsider.
Call the library and give them a list of books and authors to request that they get.
You might be surprised at the positive response.

 

[Heterodoxus]

Yesterday I placed a pre-pub order, $150, on: International Critical Commentary Upgrade Collection (6 vols.)
.....
The volumes typically cost $55 a piece in Logos.
.....
I placed a community pricing order, $40

Save your money! For a well-rounded (albeit non-seminary-level) education into the what, whys, and wherefores of Orthodox Judeo-Christianity, learn to perform online research via an internet search engine. One reputable web site to look at is, as someone suggested earlier, Early Christian Writings: New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, Church Fathers

Also develop personal and informal writing techniques which are compatible with both your education and the abilities of your computer. If the info you seek isn't online, then it's likely available or orderable via public or university libraries.

Then broaden your reading horizon (and your mind ) by reading/researching not only the works of influential and popular Orthodox Christian writers, but also the writings of Mani, Origen, and other early writers who had different (heretical ) opinions of both Jesus and the form of traditional Orthodox Judeo-Christianity that has been passed between Orthodox scholars priest over the centuries. Then draw your own conclusions about what to believe or share rather than rely upon the (usually) subjective opinion(s) written in/on a religious tome or popular book/CD.

 

[rEACHout4all]

Even the city library's department on Christianity is small, and the closer ones even smaller. I think the library I already have myself, is already better, before these pre-pub orders. They won't consider these books. Besides, did You notice that there's another book that costs $0 in the list, so I wonder why You are asking me to cancel them all as You seem to imply that owning books is a really financial problem? True I'm poor, but I'm conserned about what books to read.

Things are very different over here, this is the second most atheistic place in the world:

Everyone is different, for me it seems as though books choose me.

The most enlightening loving book I know of so far, i came across browsing.
It had a blank blue cover... I forget the name and author's names.

 

[Unix]

Thanks, Heterodoxus, good thoughts!

• I'm not currently in a university or college.
• I won't be very long in college, especially not a Christian one. I don't know yet how long, it depends on how efficient the Gk studies will be, the more efficient the longer I'll stay. The theology studies will be only ~1½ years. The libraries are not all that large, even in the Christian colleges. Admittedly I haven't yet had a look at the other one since the ticket costs $9½ and is valid two hours. (There is a longer route to go there cheap by bus, but that's a REALLY long route.)
• It costs a little to order books. And in the college libraries I don't think that service is available for non-students. I'm also unsure what the exact requirements are for borrowing books. I know that while studying the OT in a RC college ½ a year I'll be able to use the libraries of that city (not the city I live in) fully. (I'll also be studying the OT in a protestant college.)
• One of the Christian college libraries, the one to which it "doesn't cost extra" to travel to is locked up. It's open for everyone only two days a year, and I'm pretty sure I would not be able to borrow books those days, when not being a student there.
• It would be more healthy for me to spread out the studies over a longer period of time, so that I don't focus on this only, that would be more easily possible by having books myself.
• First I will study in a university (classical Gk), and it doesn't have a religious library at all despite that it's this country's largest one.
• (There is neither a university which has any Christian classes, nor a Christian university, anywhere around this area, the closest one is a few hundred miles from here and is Lutheran - i.e. not close at all to what I believe.):

If the info you seek isn't online, then it's likely available or orderable via public or university libraries.

Well, I guess Orr would fit into that category?:

Then broaden your reading horizon (and your mind ) by reading/researching not only the works of influential and popular Orthodox Christian writers,

My computers have decent abilities, for example for quoting, and of course for making notes and highlightings in the books on them. I'm most probably adding an ergonomic keyboard, as You can see from the discussion: Should I invest in an ergonomic keyboard?:

Also develop personal and informal writing techniques which are compatible with both your education and the abilities of your computer.

 

[Unix]

The possibilites for browsing are not that good right now. It's still closer to 2 years until I start studying Christianity in a college. I explained in detail 20 minutes ago in a reply to Heterodoxus how things are:

Everyone is different, for me it seems as though books choose me.

The most enlightening loving book I know of so far, i came across browsing.

 

[Unix]

I'm considering visiting a university city this Friday. The ticket would cost quite much. But excluding some authors they seem to have 97 books under the search words "gnostic early christianity" from 1997 or newer. That's only a little less than the closer one has (104) (the one to which the ticket costs $9½ valid two hours). Probably a number of them are not on the shelves at that moment but anyway:

If the info you seek isn't online, then it's likely available or orderable via public or university libraries.

 

[Unix]

Should I cancel The Works of Aristotle $40? I've explained already that I don't have internet, so I'm NOT going to read it AT ALL if I cancel this order. The free translations on the internet are probably no-name, this one is not.
EDIT: Here's a reply from Soulgazer: http://www.christianforums.com/t7740448-post62993378/#post62993378.