Understanding Biblical Structure with Logos' Discourse Dataset: A Practical Guide
August 7, 2026
Dr. John Fallahee's webinar on Logos' Discourse Dataset teaches how to use visual tags to explore biblical structure and theology without language expertise. Key features include over-specification, temporal frames, and spatial frames, which highlight how authors organize text—like 'every green plant' in Genesis 1:30 or 'darkness was over the deep' in Genesis 1:2. Enabling the dataset via Formatting > Reformat > Discourse Features reveals these tags, allowing users to trace connections (e.g., Matthew 1:12's 'at the time of the deportation' linking to 'after the deportation'). Practical examples show how tags refine study: point counterpoint in Genesis 9:3-4 clarifies God's command, while combining tags like 'earth' with 'temporal frame' finds specific passages. The dataset removes language barriers, making it easier to ask better questions of the text. As Dr. Fallahee states, 'The text explains itself—these tags just help you see what the author is doing.'
