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A second potential "quick fix". A second suggestion would provide the context of the topic across a variety of denominations. Before the Recommended Resources section, provide a "Topic in Confessional Documents" section that gives the reference for the topic in creeds, confessions of faith, catechisms, ... and other authoritative summary doctrinal statements. This would require: - a review of such documents and adding to the Logos library missing documents - milestones for such documents at the paragraph/article ... level depending upon the structure of the document - mapping similar to that being used to align the systematic theology texts. A quick look at the work of Jaroslav Pelikan implies about 250 such documents is adequate coverage.

A potential "quick fix" that would provide perspective - this was done quickly and has already had a Lutheran suggest a correction: Yesterday, I was exploring the Theology Guide in the context of how to create tradition specific theological workflows. Thus I found myself reading the article on "The Number of Sacraments" in the Lexham Survey of Theology. As a logician, I had my normal reaction to the use of weasel words "generally", "many" ... and the lack of references so that verification of the information is difficult. However, the primary difficulty is that as a survey, it doesn't make getting a survey view easy. I would like to suggest that between the text and the passage list, you actually insert a survey. For the article "The Number of Sacraments" this survey would like something like: [image goes here] Note: The selected groups are shown in the order of schism with no other implication. Church of the East/Oriental Orthodox are combined as it is difficult to find the necessary data for them individually. I will not vouch for the accuracy of my data on Calvinism. I know that in some cases I am using outdated vocabulary e.g. penance rather than reconciliation. What I see in the chart: 1, The Eastern and Oriental Orthodox use the term "Major" implying that there are also minor sacraments; their definition of "sacrament" is probably broader than that in the Western tradition. 2. The Lutherans and the Anglicans make a distinction between "sacraments" and "sacramentals" at a different point than Catholics; their definition of "sacrament" it probably tighter than that of the Orthodox and Catholics. 3. The Anabaptists and Calvinists are inclined to use terms other than "sacrament" i.e. "ceremonies" or "Ordinances"; this likely means a radical shift away from the sacramental theology. I can now read the text of the LST with some context in which to translate the weasel words into assertions that can be evaluated as true or false. And I can get a relatively objective view of the state of the topic today across the most significant historical schisms. I would like to see the LST enhanced by the inclusion of such summary data at the end of each topic. It also provides a context for the major theological debates of today by indicating what threads of theology are actually involved.

[This is a test post to see if I've correctly set group permissions for posting] In "Church-based Theological Education: Creating a New Paradigm" (http://www.cc-amesdsm.org/download/paradigmPapers/1_Creating%20a%20New%20Paradigm.pdf), Jeff Reed, CEO and Founder of BILD Interational, says (in a footnote): > Harvey Conn argues persuasively in Eternal Word, Changing Worlds, 1984, both correcting and building upon the work of Charles Kraft, that our systematic theology categories are far more culturally specific than any of us are aware, and that these categories are not appropriate to many cultures in which we need to enter today. Careful and disciplined biblical theology, together with a thorough examination of the culture in which one ministers, are the needed ingredients in building a relevant “belief framework in culture,” or doing theology in culture in a way which relates to the predominant world views of those being ministered to. I haven't read the work cited, though I have much respect for the work of Dr. Kraft. Do you see ways in which the LSTO categories are inappropriate to cultures outside contemporary Western society?