More commetaries and Bible studies and classical Christian works than the average mortal could ever hope to afford.
Review by: Arthur Grant
The Masters Christian Library AGES Digital Software Version 7.0
Whether you have thought of it or not your Christian faith is built on the cloud of witnesses that have gone before you. In the beginning was Moses to whom God gave the history of creation and the law. The prophets told us of God's plan of redemption and his love for man. The Apostles recorded the works of the Son of God on this earth and how we are to live as a result of His sacrifice on our behalf. This revelation we call the Bible is God's inerrant word. God did not stop his work with man when he closed the cannon of scripture. Throughout the ages in each generation the Spirit has raised up men to teach the word, has given them illumination into the meaning of scripture as they had faith to comprehend. These men such as Augustine and Martin Luther have had a profound effect on how we understand the scriptures and thus act out our faith.
Each Christian that truly wants to know the God he claims to love, The Savior that has shed His Holy Blood will be a student of the Bible. My experience is that as I read the Bible and spend time with fellow Christians I am forced to ask questions. What do I believe about election? Why do I believe as I do? Is infant baptism valid or must you wait until you can knowingly profess Christ as your Lord and Savior to be baptized. Then am I sprinkled or dunked? There are of course deeper and more difficult questions. But as men have fought and died over these differences and brothers in Christ have refused to share the communion table because of doctrinal issues, it is important that I know why they believe as they do.
The true Bible student will have a drive to learn from the Church fathers and great expositors of the past. Once you have decided to probe the depth of your theology you will experience the next shock of your Christian life and that is the price of a competent Christian library. Four to Five thousand dollars would not be unreasonable. I know I have gone into many a Christian bookstore only to walk out much lighter in the checkbook.
AGES Software has taken the power of the computer and the capacity of the CD-ROM to develop one of the most comprehensive Christian Library available at any price. In producing The Master Christian Library Volume 5 the team at AGES has selected over three hundred and thirty of the most influential works in Christendom. Benchmark works written by the men who shaped the doctrines and dogma's of the Church today. More over the selection of works covers the broad range of Christian thought from the first to third century church with authors such as Tertullian, the reformation with Luther and the modern era with Moody.
The books included in the Volume 5 release of The Master Christian Library cut across all of the Churches dominant theological positions from the Reformed church theology of John Calvin and explained by Baxte to the beginnings of much of today's fundamentalist eschatological and dispensationalism in the works of Darby.
There are the complete 28 volume (Books) set of the Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers, the 4 volume (Books) set of John Calvin's - Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, The complete 14 volume (yes Books) set of the writings of John Wesley and my favorite the complete works of the Jewish - Roman historian Josephus,a look into the trials and times of the early church are available in Fox's Book of Martyrs, and Bible History by Alfred Edersheim a 7 volume set. This is just a sample of what await on this marvelous CD.
The AGES team has included a panoply of reference works to aid your study of the Bible including Easton's Bible Dictionary, Strong's Greek Dictionary and Naves Concise Topical Bible.
Theology is covered with an extensive array of sets from Aquinas Summa Theologica, 6 volumes to the works of Arminius, 3 volumes and Derickson, Systematic Theology. There are also collection of works by such great names as Johnathan Edwards, William Law, Dwight L. Moody and my favorite C.H. Spurgeon.
The team at AGES Digital Software has significantly improved the user interface of The Masters Christian Library over earlier versions. The main menu is clear, concise and pleasant to look at and easy to navigate. The upgrade to Adobe Acrobat 3.0 has enhanced the search process and the text is now as clean and sharp as any Bible software I have seen.
I personally believe that The Masters Christian Library is the BEST BUY available among all of the Christian computer titles available today. I have been a fan of the digital library since I personally bought volumes I & II. With all of the software that crosses my desk, there are very few times I feel it necessary to purchase a product. This product is one of those exceptions. Volume 3 & 4 added over 100 books to the collection and Volume 5 brings the total up to over 330 books for just $69.95. I have frequently referred to my Masters Library CD in writing book reviews. It is not uncommon for an author to claim a belief or quote one the great men of the past, sometimes out of context. At these times I can easily load the CD and run a search to verify the claim being made. I find myself frequently going to the Digital Library when doing research for a discussion or lesson. I cannot imagine a modern Pastor not owning a copy of this product.
I have had the joy of communicating with the brothers at AGES during this products development and feel they have a true heart for the edifying of the body of Christ. When Volumes 3 & 4 were about to be released and registered owners of Sage Volumes 1 & 2 were sent the notice and discount Upgrade card there was a unique offer included. The owner was encouraged to order the upgrade And receive a significant discount from AGES, but also to give your old copy to a missionary, pastor Or friend. They didn't want it back or ask for a transfer fee. They even told you to give that chosen Person the discounts card. This offer was repeated with the release of Volume 5. That is a true missionary heart.
If you want to see a complete list of the books included in the The Master Christian Library Click here and GO TO the AGES Software Home page. If you decide you want to buy the The Master Christian Library you can go through the AGES Software home page or through you local Christian bookstore.