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This is the first major study of the enigmatic religious society. By examining the Jehovah's Witnesses' dramatic recent expansion, Andrew Holden reveals the dependency of their quasi-totalitarian movement on the physical and cultural resources have brought about the privatization of religion, the erosion of community, and the separation of 'fact' from faith.

Counting the Days to Armageddon is work is of vital importance for all concerned with the Jehovah's Witness movement. It provides a thorough examination of their eschatological development, treating Watch Tower theology objectively but sympathetically. Crompton also speculates about the future direction of Jehovah's Witness teaching. The book begins with a brief consideration of the biblical foundations of doctrines of the last days, particularly the books of Daniel and Revelation. There follows an outline summary of some of the main aspects of the history of this doctrine within the Protestant mainstream during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, and an outline of the Adventist teaching of William Miller (1782-1849) in the U.S.A. During the time following the failure of Miller's expectations of the end of the world, his ideas were developed by Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916), prime mover of the Watch Tower movement. Counting the Days to Armageddon explores the way in which Russell amended Miller's ideas, and also the distinctive way in which he handled the Dispensational categorisation of history of John Nelson Darby (1800-1882) to create an extension of historicist speculation on the application of prophecy to the modern world. The response of the Watch Tower movement to the failure of Russell's expectations in 1914 is explored, and the new body of doctrine which has replaced Russell's is examined. The ways in which these doctrines have been modified in the past suggest ways in which future doctrine may develop, especially in response to the protracted delay of Armageddon. What is envisaged, in the light of the history of Watch Tower doctrine, is no dramatic collapse of the movement but rather an increasing emphasis upon other, less vulnerable areas of doctrine together with a greater turnover of membership which may, in due course, undermine the movement's stability.

Two Christian Bible scholars outline arguments anyone can use to counter—and evangelize to—Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons when they come knocking. Cult Shock is an easy-to-follow resource of Christian apologetics that teaches you how to defend your Christian faith against the claims of Jehovah’s Witness and Mormon missionaries. Mark Stengler Jr., and Mark Stengler Sr.—a father-and-son team of Christian scholars—explain the beliefs of these groups, and demonstrate through scripture and logic how Biblical Christianity refutes their worldview. Readers will gain confidence witnessing to these groups based on the Stengler’s recommended engagement techniques from their years of experience. Cult Shock provides all the tools you need to proclaim the real Jesus with fearless confidence!

REVIEWING 2013 New World Translation of Jehovah’s Witnesses is going to challenge your objectivity. Being objective means that personal feelings or opinions do not influence you in considering and representing facts. Being subjective means that your understanding is based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or ideas. If the reader finds these insights offense, it might be a little mind control at work from years of being told the same misinformation repeatedly, so ponder things objectively. We can also have preconceived ideas that have been a part of our thinking for so long; we do not question them. Preconceived is an idea or opinion that is formed before having the evidence for its truth. If we are to be effective, we must season our words, so that they are received well. Then there is the term preconception, which means a preconceived idea or prejudice. Seasoned words, honesty, and accuracy are distinctive features of effective apologetic evangelism.

From blood transfusions to salvation by works John Ankerberg and John Weldon expose the unorthodox doctrines that put Jehovah’s Witnesses at risk physically and spiritually. With its easy–to–follow question–and–answer format this book allows readers to quickly discover: Who founded Jehovah’s Witnesses and why; why medical care essential to life is refused; why few Jehovah’s Witnesses look forward to eternal life in God’s presence; how many Jehovah’s Witnesses prophecies have failed—and why; how Jehovah’s Witnesses view and interpret God’s Word. Whether looking for specific teachings or an overall understanding of Jehovah’s Witness beliefs and practices readers will find this guide delivers the information in a concise practical manner.

This tale of mind control, the use of fear to manipulate vulnerable people, and final escape from a suffocating cult environment is a revealing exposeof a secretive contemporary sect, as well as a true psychological thriller. Diane Wilson spent twenty-five precious years of her life, first becoming indoctrinated by the dogma of the Watchtower Society, and then struggling to free herself from its pervasive, intimidating clutches. In this probing, brutally honest assessment, Wilson describes how a childhood of psychological abuse and lack of self-confidence rendered her vulnerable to the seductive doctrines of the Jehovah's Witnesses. What she reveals about the goings-on within the closed Watchtower Society will shock the average person who assumes the polite, well-dressed people who pass out leaflets are much like any other conservative religious group. Wilson contends that membership in the Jehovah's Witnesses requires obedience bordering on psychological enslavement and complete suppression of individuality. Her engrossing memoir will be of great interest to former Witnesses, students of cult phenomena, and anyone who has ever had contact with Jehovah's Witnesses.

The intention of this book is to investigate the biblical chronology behind Jehovah's Witnesses most controversial doctrinal position that Jesus began to rule invisibly from heaven in October 1914. This biblical chronology of the Witnesses hinges upon their belief that the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, which they say occurred in 607 B.C.E. The Witnesses conclude that Chapter 4 of the book of Daniel prophesied a 2,520 year period that began in 607 B.C.E. and ended in 1914 C.E. They state, "Clearly, the 'seven times' and 'the appointed times of the nations' refer to the same time period." (Lu 21:24) It is their position that When the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, the Davidic line of kings were interrupted, God's throne was "trampled on by the nations" until 1914, at which time Jesus begun to rule invisible from heaven. In chapter 1, we will take their chronology from the back of their 1984 New World Translation Reference Bible. We will take the points one-by-one, seeing where they get things right, and where the interpretation breaks down. In chapter 2, we will take the time to talk about this craze of Christianity, which has been also overly focusing on such terms as the "end times" or "the last days." While none of us can know the precise time of Jesus' return, how should we view the time that is remaining? All of this and more will be discussed in chapter 2.

This book is a comparison of two of the most well-known religious groups in the world. Christianity and Jehovah's Witness. It will be using passages from the King James Version (Christian Bible), the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Jehovah's Witness version of the Bible), and the original Greek language to cross-reference and see what is "truth" and to prove that which is "false." The main purpose for using the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in several areas of this book, is to address the reader that if the Jehovah's Witness version has passages that agree with that of the Christian Bible, then Jehovah's Witnesses would need to change several of their key theological viewpoints since Jehovah's Witnesses consider themselves to be Christians as well. However, the Jehovah's Witness organization does not agree with several theological viewpoints of biblical Christianity, so that is what this study will fully breakdown. Included, is a two-part bonus section. The titles include "Did You Know We are Living in the Last Days? and "How to Become a Christian." The first part is a full breakdown of the Daniel 9 Prophecy concerning 70 weeks of years. So from around 465 BC until today, there's been a lot that has taken place. The purpose in writing this book is to educate the readers on information that they may not have known about or perhaps had an idea as a result of what has been taught to them or by what they have heard, and just needed some additional clarity to help them along the way. For the Christian, this is mainly a self-help tool to use as a reference whether it is used for witnessing to someone, further expanding their spiritual and biblical knowledge, or even speaking to Jehovah's Witnesses. However, my ultimate purpose in writing this book is to win someone's soul over to Christ, whether Jehovah's Witness or someone who doesn't even know Christ at all. I just want to be the one who plants the seed, allowing God to be the One who causes the seed to grow.

Jehovah's Witnesses are possibly one of the most persecuted Christian organizations in the 20th century. How the Witnesses shape their response to persecution is invariably associated with the social reality they construct in their rhetorical practices. This is a descriptive analysis and interpretation of the social reality constructed by the discourse of the Jehovah Witnesses, utilizing a qualitative-interpretive approach for exploration into a social reality. The purpose is to determine how the textual and contextual reality of Jehovah's Witnesses influences their lives and courses of action, how discursive practices are fundamental to their understanding of themselves and others.

At first, the Watchtower Society seemed harmless to William J. Schnell, even valuable as a way to develop his faith in God and pass it on to others. This book is Schnell's fascinating account of his involvement with the cult, which effectively enticed him in the 1920s and continues to lure countless individuals today. Readers will learn, as Schnell did, that the Jehovah's Witness religion he had joined was anything but innocent. For thirty years he was enslaved by one of the most totalitarian religions of our day, and his story of finally becoming free is riveting. Readers will be alerted to the inner machinations, methods, and doctrines of the Watchtower Society, arming them to forewarn others and witness to their Jehovah's Witness friends, relatives, neighbors, and the stranger at the door. With more than 300,000 copies sold, 30 Years a Watchtower Slave is truly one of the classic testimonies of freedom from a powerful cult.