I’ve had Bibleworks for many years (since the Hermeneutika days!), but I’ve had Bibleworks 8 for just a couple of weeks. Is it worth upgrading from an older version? Is it worth buying Bibleworks for the first time? Yes and a qualified yes. The qualified yes is that it is worth buying Bibleworks for the first time if you are serious about biblical exegesis, especially original language work. If all you want is a Bible on the computer and the ability to do a simple search for a word in the English Bible, then you can get cheap or even free software to do that. Bibleworks is not a library of commentaries, although it does have an increasing set of quality reference tools built-in. Bibleworks is not a collection of public domain reference tools that are freely available elsewhere. Bibleworks is about serious biblical exegesis, especially in the original languages.
Some things don’t change. The basic feel of the program is the same as before, although the user interface is now more logical in its organization. You still get more Bible versions than you’ll know what to do with, including numerous foreign language versions (great for missionaries), a significant array of Greek and Hebrew grammars and access to such things as the Belgic and Westminster Confessions, and Schaff’s church fathers.
Most things keep improving. In reality there are now more of the above versions (TNIV, NIrV, plus Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Macedonian, Russian, Arabic, etc.), grammars and historical texts. I was interested to see that Waltke & O’Connor as well as Dan Wallace’s grammar are now included without needing to be unlocked (Jouon and Muruoka are included too, but I haven’t got into that yet!) There is now another set of NT Greek diagrams to compare with the previous set (which leads me to ask why this was not available when I was in seminary, and also to make some passing comment about how easy it must be now compared to “back in my day!”) Apparently, you can now listen to the English text read aloud (if you’re on Vista, which I’m not, so I can’t comment on how that sounds).
The real heart of Bibleworks is how easily it allows complex searches and access to text related information. Both are easier and better in version 8. The Analysis Window is clearer and more sensibly organized. Now there is more information close to hand when working in a text. I like the context tab, which gives lists of word frequency in the pericope, chapter and book. The stats tab gives visual representation of the current search results, and the X-refs tabs gives sets of cross-references associated with the current verse (which I suppose some preachers will enjoy too much!) Phrase matching and related verse tools are impressive new features, finding the same wording elsewhere in the canon. Grammatical searches are easy to use with auto-complete features. Not only does Bibleworks have lots of searching tools, it also has them very well integrated.
The text export function is now far more sophisticated, so once I figure out how to use it, I won’t have to reformat every verse I import to MS Word (and once I check the instructions I am sure it will become clearer how to get this feature to work the way I want it to!)
Overall impression so far? I didn’t know if I’d notice the difference, but I do. I’m glad I’m blessed with Bibleworks 8 and I would encourage others who do serious exegetical work with original languages to jump in and join me. I have Logos/Libronix, but honestly always go back to Bibleworks for working with the Bible (and to Libronix for the excellent commentaries). I cannot compare Bibleworks with Gramcord or Accordance as I don’t have or use either, but I can compare Bibleworks 8 with 7, 6, 5, 4, 3.1, etc. It’s better.
For more info, pricing, full database lists, etc., please go to bibleworks.com or if you’re in UK/EU go to bibleworks.co.uk
I would be interested to hear from other Bibleworks users what features you find helpful in your sermon preparation.
Biblical Preaching 
Thanks for the review. I am still on the fence as to whether I will upgrade to this latest version. I am now a version behind on my Libronix scholars and now a version behind on this one.
As for Bible work, I find that I have Bibleworks up and have done my work and closed before libronix even starts up. When I get ready to preach a sermon, I usually let Libronix find everything related and in the meantime, I start to work in the Bible on Bibleworks…
God bless and thanks for the post…
Thank you so much Peter for your thoughts. I have Bibleworks 7 and have been contemplating whether I should upgrade to Bibleworks 8. You just helped me make my choice. I have found Bibleworks to be indispensable in sermon preparation. Like you, I do have Logos and love to use Logos for the commentary aspect. Having both Bibleworks and Logos has greatly increased my joy in preparing sermons.
If it’s possible to love software, I love my Logos Gold. Now, if I was only smart enough to take advantage of all the features it offers!
Also try SwordBible at
http://www.swordwarrior.net
Bibleworks is awesome!! I have a base Logos package also, and to get all the resources and tools that I have in Bibleworks I would have had to pay an arm and a leg. Logos is great for commentaries and has links to things like sermon download sites for lazy Pastors who don’t bother with Biblical exegesis. I feel that anyone who takes the Bible seriously and wants more than other peoples ideas on the Word should consider Bibleworks first. Learn original languages (I am still in process) learn exegesis and PREACH THE WORD; 2 Timothy 4:1-4! Bibleworks will require more work than Logos if you are merely looking for ideas, but for pure Bible study it is far more affordable for what you get and can do with it. I think Piper who uses Bibleworks would commend it as well.
I want to thank Jordan for bringing this back up,
I think that Bible Works is a lot easier to work with in the text alone. And I think that price is a big factor. However, Logos is not merely for preachers who are “lazy” or want “other people’s opinion on the text.” Logos is a very effective software program that allows for exegesis AND for the study of other people’s work about the text.
When exegeting a text of scripture, I first read the scripture in one Bible alone. That can be done with BibleWorks, but it feels more like a book in Logos. I then read it in multiple versions. BibleWorks does this pretty well, but Logos has this very neat comparison windown that color codes differences between the versions. Here we can compare and contrast the differences. Yes you can do that in BibleWorks, but Logos’ view is very nice and compact.
Logos gets you started on word studies with its exegetical helper report.
In short, Logos is not simply something for those who do not wish to do solid exegetical work with the text alone. I do think that BibleWorks is quicker and feels sleeker for text based exegesis, but Logos does have some tools that can aid in that endevor as well.
It is not as if Logos forces you to even use the commentaries. You can set up workspaces that allows you to do what you wish to do. I do think that bibleWorks allows more complex searches in the original languages, but I am not sure about that…
Logos is a bit pricey..and perhaps BibleWorks is cheaper for the materials it gives, but neither program can be called cheap. If we are looking for inexpensive, then we should be talking about E-Sword or BibleGateway on the web.
at any rate, some people who know the languages choose BibleWorks…and some choose Logos. Not sure how many choose each, but the question is not who wants to use the languages or who wants to do solid biblical exegesis. The question is how much of your library do you want on your computer and how much do you want on your shelf. you probably have a bible dictionary and some commentaries and some other books. Do you want it in your software in a neatly searchable version, or do you want to leave it on your shelf? If you want to add a library search to your Bible software then there is really no comparison. Logos wins hands down. If you wish to leave much (not all) of your library on the shelf and not have it accessible, then BibleWorks is probably the winner in that case.
Do you want your library in your bible software is the question…Another question is the price you are willing to pay. But the question is not whether you want to do solid Biblical Exegesis or if you are lazy…The lazy preacher can find reason to be lazy with or without a software program and solid Biblical exegesis can be done in both (assuming that you have the original Bible Languages addon to Logos)
The above is true! I suppose I should keep the snide remarks to a minimum. Thanks Sherman, and yes I like Logos too.