- Summary
- "Since 1876, Jehovah's Witnesses have believed that they are living in the last days of the present world. Charles T. Russell, their founder, advised his followers that members of Christ's church would be raptured in 1878, and by 1914 Christ would destroy the nations and establish his kingdom on earth. The first prophecy was not fulfilled, but the outbreak of the First World War lent some credibility to the second. Ever since that time, Jehovah's Witnesses have been predicting that the world would end 'shortly.' Their numbers have grown to many millions in over two hundred countries. They distribute a billion pieces of literature annually, and continue to anticipate the end of the world. Apocalypticism is the key issue in this detailed history, but there are others. As a long-time member of the sect, now expelled, Penton offers a comprehensive overview of a remarkable religious movement. His book is divided into three parts, each presenting the Witnesses' story in a different context: historical, doctrinal, and sociological. Some of the issues he discusses are known to the general public, such as the sect's opposition to military service and blood transfusions. Others involve internal controversies, including political control of the organization and the handling of dissent within the ranks. Penton has combined the special insight of an insider with the critical analysis of an observer now at a distance from his subject. From them he has created a penetrating study of a spreading world phenomenon. In this second edition, an afterword by the author brings us up to date on events since Apocalypse Delayed was first published in 1985. Penton considers changes in doctrine, practice, and governance on issues such as medical treatment, higher education, apostates, and the apocalypse. This edition features a revised and expanded bibliography"--Introduction.
- Format
- Book
- Author/Creator
- Penton, M. James, 1932-
- Published
- Toronto ; Buffalo : University of Toronto Press, 1997
- Edition
- Second edition
- Contents
-
Part I. History. [Chapter 1] The beginning of a movement. Charles Russell: the early years
George Storrs
Russel and the object and manner of Christ's return
Dr. Nelson H. Barbour and the three worlds
Early Schisms: 1878 and 1881
Russell's independent ministry
Bible Students' Association
Russell as the faithful and wise servant
Russell's marital tribulations
New Covenant schism
Russell's last years and death
[Chapter 2] The creation of theocracy. Joseph Franklin Rutherford
Watch Tower schism of 1917
Bible Students and the First World War
Post-war reorganization
Millions now living will never die
Rutherford's ministry
Conventions
Rutherford's growing power
New name
Development of theocratic government
Growing social alienation
Growth of the Bible Student
Witness Community
Vindication of Jehovah's name
Attack on religion
Great multitude
Rutherford's personal life and last days
Rutherford's death and legacy
[Chapter 3] The era of global expansion. Rutherford's successors
Olin Moyle case
Remoulding of the Witness Community
Growth of a Witness Community
New World assemblies
Fighting for freedom of worship
Congregation committees and disfellowshipping
A slowdown in growth
Stay alive till '75
Organizational and congregational liberalization
[Chapter 4] Prophetic failure, reaction, and rebellion. Response to prophetic failure
Attack on intellectuals
Closing heaven's gates
Doctrinal vacillations
Growth of dissent
Jehovah's Witnesses today
[Chapter 5] Relations with the world. Attitudes towards other religions
Religious persecution
Nature of anti-witness propaganda
Charge of sedition
Witness concepts of relations with the state
Opposition to preaching
Military service
Patriotic exercises and political neutrality
Marxist persecution
Witness compromises with the world
General social attitudes
Blood transfusions
Separateness and social concern
Part II. Concepts and doctrine. [Chapter 6] Base of doctrinal authority. Faithful and discreet slave
Progressive revelation
Natural theology and the Bible
Biblical interpretation
Philosophy of history
[Chapter 7] Major doctrines. Theology
Christology and soteriology
Covenantal relationships
Spirit creatures
Nature of man
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
Church
Great crowd
Creation
Bible chronology and eschatological prophecy
Resurrection
Sacredness of life and blood
Preaching work
Part III. Organization and community. [Chapter 8] Organizational structure. Witness hierarchy
President of the Watch Tower Society
Governing body
Governing body committees
World-wide headquarters
Legal corporations
Watch tower wealth
Watch Tower literature
District and circuit overseers
Branches
Elders and ministerial servants
Pioneers
Congregational meetings
Evangelism
Formal organizational controls
Informal controls
Organizational efficiency
[Chapter 9] The Witness Community. Membership, recruitment, and conversion
Sex, marriage, and the family
Education
Entertainment, the arts, and literature
Moral values and social relationships
Moral behaviour
Ethnic and racial attitudes
Witness mental health
Decreasing zeal
Dissonance and dissent
Response to dissent
Effects of Watch Tower policy
Witness instability and conservatism
Conclusion. Jehovah's Witnesses since 1985: an afterword.
- Notes
-
Includes bibliographical references (pages 399-424) and index.
Part I. History. [Chapter 1] The beginning of a movement. Charles Russell: the early years -- George Storrs -- Russel and the object and manner of Christ's return -- Dr. Nelson H. Barbour and the three worlds -- Early Schisms: 1878 and 1881 -- Russell's independent ministry -- Bible Students' Association -- Russell as the faithful and wise servant -- Russell's marital tribulations -- New Covenant schism -- Russell's last years and death -- [Chapter 2] The creation of theocracy. Joseph Franklin Rutherford -- Watch Tower schism of 1917 -- Bible Students and the First World War -- Post-war reorganization -- Millions now living will never die -- Rutherford's ministry -- Conventions -- Rutherford's growing power -- New name -- Development of theocratic government -- Growing social alienation -- Growth of the Bible Student -- Witness Community -- Vindication of Jehovah's name -- Attack on religion -- Great multitude -- Rutherford's personal life and last days -- Rutherford's death and legacy -- [Chapter 3] The era of global expansion. Rutherford's successors -- Olin Moyle case -- Remoulding of the Witness Community -- Growth of a Witness Community -- New World assemblies -- Fighting for freedom of worship -- Congregation committees and disfellowshipping -- A slowdown in growth -- Stay alive till '75 -- Organizational and congregational liberalization -- [Chapter 4] Prophetic failure, reaction, and rebellion. Response to prophetic failure -- Attack on intellectuals -- Closing heaven's gates -- Doctrinal vacillations-- Growth of dissent -- Jehovah's Witnesses today -- [Chapter 5] Relations with the world. Attitudes towards other religions -- Religious persecution -- Nature of anti-witness propaganda -- Charge of sedition -- Witness concepts of relations with the state -- Opposition to preaching -- Military service -- Patriotic exercises and political neutrality -- Marxist persecution -- Witness compromises with the world -- General social attitudes -- Blood transfusions -- Separateness and social concern -- Part II. Concepts and doctrine. [Chapter 6] Base of doctrinal authority. Faithful and discreet slave -- Progressive revelation -- Natural theology and the Bible -- Biblical interpretation -- Philosophy of history -- [Chapter 7] Major doctrines. Theology -- Christology and soteriology -- Covenantal relationships -- Spirit creatures -- Nature of man -- Baptism and the Lord's Supper -- Church -- Great crowd -- Creation -- Bible chronology and eschatological prophecy -- Resurrection -- Sacredness of life and blood -- Preaching work -- Part III. Organization and community. [Chapter 8] Organizational structure. Witness hierarchy -- President of the Watch Tower Society -- Governing body -- Governing body committees -- World-wide headquarters -- Legal corporations -- Watch tower wealth -- Watch Tower literature -- District and circuit overseers -- Branches -- Elders and ministerial servants -- Pioneers -- Congregational meetings -- Evangelism -- Formal organizational controls -- Informal controls -- Organizational efficiency -- [Chapter 9] The Witness Community. Membership, recruitment, and conversion -- Sex, marriage, and the family -- Education -- Entertainment, the arts, and literature -- Moral values and social relationships -- Moral behaviour -- Ethnic and racial attitudes -- Witness mental health -- Decreasing zeal -- Dissonance and dissent -- Response to dissent -- Effects of Watch Tower policy -- Witness instability and conservatism -- Conclusion. Jehovah's Witnesses since 1985: an afterword.