Logos Version 9. Logos Bible Software. Faithlife Corporation. 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham WA 98225-4307. Released in October 2020. Interim updates of resources occur frequently when connected online.

While Logos continues to issue interim upgrades on a regular basis, Faithlife Corporation has released a major upgrade, Logos 9. Current users will not notice major changes in the dashboard or the accustomed ways to access its various features. No major new learning curve will be required, and that’s a relief! Rather the focus seems to be to add or build upon several practical functions of the software. Previously it might have appeared that Logos was aimed primarily at scholars and teachers—and pastors could use it as much as they were able or wanted. Logos 9 adds features to make the busy pastor’s work easier. Of course, that’s not to say that scholars and teachers will feel left out; they will continue to enjoy everything they have grown to appreciate. And many teachers in colleges and seminaries find themselves preaching or lecturing in various settings, so they will also gain from some of the enhanced features. If you want to read my previous review of Logos 8 to see how it was improved, see https://denverseminary.edu/the-denver-journal-article/logos-version-8/

I will highlight several noteworthy components. Users already know of the “Factbook” feature. Well, that has been augmented. Here’s a glimpse of what’s new in the Factbook:

• Search the Factbook from the Go box. Type the subject you want to study and select the Factbook option from the drop-down. (Though you can still access it anytime by clicking Tools > Factbook.)
• Get the big picture fast. One of the first things you’ll see on many topics is a summary article from a Bible dictionary or other reliable source.
• Jump straight into deeper study. New Factbook sections for key passages, sermons, scholarly journals, and more make it easy to discover and dive into the good stuff that you want to research.

With Logos 9, you can pass along your insights to friends, students, or parishioners—and glean from the wisdom of others—more easily than ever. Improved document sharing helps you:

• Share helpful quotes or Bible reading plans with your congregation or students
• See insights from other pastors, scholars, and students on a topic or passage you’re studying
• Ask for feedback from the Logos community on a sermon, Bible study, or theological insight you’re working on

Logos 9 is designed to help preachers more directly in preparing sermons. When you do your sermon (and lesson) planning, research, and writing in Logos, your work is always saved, organized, and close at hand. Here’s what you can do:

• Plan your sermons for the year
• When does Easter fall next year? When does summer start? What sermon series has God laid on your heart? Logos’ new Sermon Manager helps you plan your sermons in advance—and keep track of what you’ve already done.
• Create your entire sermon. In Logos’ Sermon Builder (formerly the Sermon Editor), you can write your sermon, create slides, and make an accompanying study guide—all from one spot. And with the updates to the Sermon Builder, you can now peruse your old manuscripts more easily.
• Preach your sermons. Instead of depending on a printer for your sermon notes, use Logos’ new Preaching Mode. Now, whether you’re using a computer or a tablet, you can see your sermon notes with a built-in timer.

Do you need to make Time for Reading in your busy schedule? Logos 9 helps you organize and schedule your reading in seconds. Create a list of books in your library that you want to read, then start a reading plan when you’re ready to dig in.

Logos 9 has a new “Counseling Guide.” With it you can easily find biblical wisdom from both Scripture and experienced counselors to share with those struggling. It works similarly to the Passage Guide, but instead of searching a biblical passage, you can search for a wide range of felt needs, sin patterns, and common ways people suffer. For example, go to Guides > Counseling Guide and then begin searching words like anxiety, pornography, or parenting.

As always, Logos 9 includes ongoing Training and Support. Users can learn more about other new Logos 9 features at the Logos help center. Or learn how to use other sermon tools in Logos: Sermon Starter Guide and Sermon Builder.

William W. Klein, PhD
Professor of New Testament
Denver Seminary
November 2020