How to Sort a Theological Library
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- This is the second instalment in the series How To Maintain a Library. In this video, I answer the question, "How do I sort my library?"
Walter Shaw's video mentioned in this video:
• How I Organize My Theo...
How to Build a Theological Library:
• How to Build a Theolog...
How to Maintain a Library Series:
• How to Maintain a Library
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I hope you all have a blessed day!
Soli Deo Gloria!
My library has a lot more books in some topics than others, so I eventually sorted it into 9 categories: systematic theology, commentaries, puritans, standards, 20th-century reformed theologians, Bibles, history, fiction, and misc. It's not "optimal", but I'm able to find the books I want quickly
If it works for you and it takes up little time and labour to use it, man, dude, gal, just go to it like hammer and tongs! Be practical and be free of what could make you fret for little profit.
I split my library between primary and secondary sources.
With the primary sources I began shelving first those who were born the earliest. So for instance Irenaeus would go first and then I end with books containing the creeds and confessions with my Bibles at the very top.
Also, with the secondary sources I organize by loci. So a shelf will be devoted to books on justification another shelf on the Trinity, and then a shelf for systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology and church history.
Thanks for the video! I have a similar categorical system that I use for my library. I'm at work right now, but when I have a second I will get you a Google Drive Link to my categorical listings if you are interested. For the most part I break them down between the four major branches of theology, then into subdisciplines. And then inside each sub-discipline is categorized by author
drive.google.com/file/d/1j2SE1pZGGq4Yo45glZCIfgG2igyMAyIv/view?usp=drivesdk
That's an awesome way to do it!
Thank you for another insightful video!! Is that the works of William Jay next to spurgeon? Just curious, who is the publisher? I've never seen that set before.
You're welcome! Glad it was helpful! It is William Jay. I've started planning a couple reviews of his works which should be coming out in the next couple weeks/months, Lord willing. They're put out by Sprinkle Publications. They are out of business, which makes them extremely difficult to get your hands on. Reformation Heritage Books still has a few left, but otherwise probably the only way to get ahold of them would be to buy them used (I've had to use this method on several of them). So, all this to say, I would highly recommend you purchasing them if you see them somewhere.
God bless,
Davis
I've also reviewed two of his works (Domestic Duties Considered and The Christian Contemplated) already here on the channel. Both of those were also published by Sprinkle Publications.
@@petrapublications
Hi Davis! that is good to know. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Thank you for enlightening me. I will definitely have to keep my eye out for this set and will look forward to watching your previous reviews.
May the Lord bless you richly!
5:55 How does that work when no one for over 10 years has had any interest even stopping by for a chat?
Sorry to hear that.
Really appreciate your agape, thank you.
That is the way society is now, almost no one has time to help anyone, even Christians don't help their brothers and sisters. It is not just me, there are a few others who are also saying this. Even a newly hired pastor dressed as a transient, arriving at the church for the first time, was ignored (going around Facebook). So to my INTJ mind, it seems illogical to have a library to share. It is also illogical for single folks to waste money on a dining table, still regret it. I am in severe pain because unable to get medical treatment, along with other medical issues.
Some Christians also have forgotten their call to care for the animals. Due to my condition (aka disability), health, and finances, at this time, unable to transport the two dogs to the veterinarian. Due for vaccinations back in June, plus my Service Dog has a flat, painful, mass on his elbow, the other a cyst on the edge of his ear. I even asked at the men's prayer breakfast, no response. So, I quit trusting all of them except the pastor, knowing he is more than busy. However, lost trust as the other day expressed only vaccinations were important and suggested a sister who might be able (dog breeder).
Now the only reason I am staying is my call to be on the worship team. My auditory gift from God allows me to run sound and keeps me living, rather than just existing. God is so amazing how rewards us for serving Him.
With agape and thankfulness,
Adriel
What are the benefits of having a physical library or a digital library? Or have you made a video on that subject already?
I have not made a video on that subject. That's a great idea! I'll probably make that in the coming months. Thanks!
God bless,
Davis
As an older person my library naturally evolved as a physical copy library. I find there are a few advantages but I would today probably go with an electronic library, so long as you can guarantee its security even if your device is lost or your account hacked. Also there is no reason to only choose one. I have some of my multi-volume commentaries in electronic form simply due to shelf space. They co-exist well.
One of the advantages of a physical library is there is far less distraction when reading. With no links, no notifications etc you can more easily get lost in the book itself. I also find that having a physical library allows me the ability to loan out books to friends and church members or to pass on books I’ve updated or no longer need. In fact when I spot a particularly good deal on a book I will buy multiple copies so I can share with others. I also already have far too many screens in my life so reading a physical book feels like an escape from them.
May I ask, what is your preferred Bible translation? Thanks
I like to use the ESV and KJV. I definitely use the ESV more, though.
Stick with Dewey, especially the ABRIDGED Dewey classication tables, which will suffice unless your collection is huge. It does it for you, it's easy and sensible to use. DON'T USE the Library of Congress Classificationm, which is way, way too complex and outdated. Let universities suffer with the L.C. classification, others ought to SHUN it. As for your own system, well, remember that you will have to maintain and adjust it as you go along and, frankly, that kind of thing seldom is worth all that effort.
Using classification numbers, even if fullly formal call numbers are employed, just, say, the first line or so of them, really helps when moving time comes. Shelving by these numbers, even approximately, saves a whole lot of trouble and it makes it easy for others to work with you at it.
I use the Dewey decimal system. Makes it easy especially if someone else uses one of my books and needs to put it back.
I would add that one does not really need to worry about which edition of Dewey or of its abridgment one uses. That is a refinement (i.e. changing with each new edition) that simply is not necessary. Start with one eidition and stick to it, ignoring later revisions. That's enough for the home user.
I'll have to look into the Dewey system. I don't know enough about it to implement it into my library - at least right now.
The abridged Dewey classification tables avoid some of the admirably sophisticated classification number building features that libraries need, but which are unnecessarily elaborate for a home system. One great thing (among many) re. Dewey is that one can use its abridged tables for some subjects AND its full tables for others if one needs further subdivision for the subjects that one has more books or other documentation about. They are compatible. Just be sure that the abridgment, if one uses it, corresponds to the same edition of Dewey as what the abridgment bases itself upon.
You actually only need one book.. preferably one about comparative Jewish mythology.. Want to understand genesis? Read the enuma elish. Noah? read Gilgamesh.. book of Esther read the story of Ishtar, Samson? Read Hercules.. .. How about psalm 104 and the original Egyptian hymn to aten?
You might need two books actually... Another that compares the Bible to Greek poetry so you can see the rest of the parallels .. Then when you're ready get a book on dying and rising gods and see where Jesus came from...
That's the best theological library ever
Again, I ask what difference it makes to you, whether or not the Bible is a myth?
@@petrapublications it makes all the difference in the world my friend both to me and to everyone else. I never said there weren't incredible truths there.. They were kept, copied and taught because of what is hidden allegorically within them. Every religion is but a mystery school in disguise. We use myths to transmit our teachings and knowledge. The exoteric meaning what is taught outside the temple are the myths known to the general public. the esoteric is only taught inside the temple and only, to initiates. Death and the disposition of the soul are the greatest of mysteries and the way to overcome this was by direct experience. How else could you truly KNOW? "Man know thyself" these words adorned every Egyptian temple, "know thyself and you will know the universe and the gods" was engraved in the Oracle of Delphi and all three of great philosophers have said " to know thyself is the beginning of all wisdom".. we encode this primarily in the myth of the dying God.. the manner of death is always symbolic but different cultures used different symbols so while jesus was crucified on a cross odin hung on the world tree.. both pierced in the side by Spears. some defeat death by going into the underworld like Persephone Orpheus and the very old Mesopotamian myth of innana. who spent three days in the underworld before returning. the Egyptian Osiris conquering death and ruling the underworld. by the way, the first thing we are taught in the mysteries is about this being the underworld, in other words this isn't life, what comes next is life, this is death)
A vast majority were sun gods, sol Invictus. we get the word soul from the Latin Sol. the sun is your spirit, the sun as Plato said is the good, it gives life and all benefit to men. we don't think the sun is God it just symbolizes it and is used such Jesus has many solar attributes, he's the light of the world, can turn water into wine (the wedding in cannan wasn't two people it was the yearly festival of marriage of the earth and the sun) like light he walks on water etc etc. very often the mysteries were attached to real people ( think the Alexandrian romance stories where Alexander the great is portrayed as being a god, or Julius Cesar and the myths created around him) Every scholar knows only the writings of Paul are believed to be authentic. Peter is described as being "agramatoi" or illiterate yet his writings are cannon. The gospels were written by highly educated people who spoke Greek. the apostles spoke Aramaic and most of what is known of the mysteries came from the Greeks.. In three stories you are the main character, you are Christ, Odin Mithras Krishna Osiris Persephone Orpheus Dionysus Attis theseus or the Aztec hero twins. it was known throughout the ancient world but the priests who knew the truth were very powerful and as long as you thought the church was responsible for your soul they kept the truth eventually forgetting it themselves. the church destroyed anyone who spoke against them or taught the truth.. they were called heretics which is probably what you think of the gnostics. All religion is just the business end of spirituality.. There is no power on earth that can control a man who KNOWS who he truly is. science will tell you the universe is fractal in nature patterns repeating over scale.. water going down a drain, a hurricane, a spiral galaxy.. everything is self similar regardless of scale.. we are the microcosm of the macrocosm, if we have consciousness there must be a greater consciousness. our spirit is a small part of the divine and the greatest secret man has ever known was how to directly experience that part of us. I'm sure I just wasted my time on sometime you probably won't read and will dismiss without exploring but that's why it makes a difference if it's a myth. the thought that the creator of all made us in a way that we would absolutely fail and even though we were set up to fail. he's not going to make us disappear no he's going to eternally punish us for something our long dead ancestor did. The best plan to give us a chance to save ourselves was torture and human sacrifice of his own son To be saved according to today's Christianity we are to avoid the teachings of Jesus brother and Peter who actually knew him and listen to Paul a man who "had a vision" who said don't follow the law just believe in the sacrifice story and be saved.. the thought that this would be true is absurd but if you know it for what it is then it makes more difference than you could ever know 🙏