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Title: Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses
ISBN: 0802079733
Author:
M. James Penton
Publicate Date: 1997-08-09
Publish: 1997-08-09
List Price: $29.95
Average Customer Rating: 3.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $20.65
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Very Enlightening!!!!!!!!!
This book sure answered many questions I had. James Penton is fair
and scholarly in his an analysis. He shows how the Witnesses elites have
deviated and flip-flopped on a number of their doctrines. He also shows
hoe dictatorial and unchangeable this organizatiion is. He also gives a
thorough nuts and bolts description of the overall running and structure
of this organization. He also gives an unbiased history of the Witness
organization. He dopes this despite the fact he was disfellowshipped
from it. He also spent time at their world headquarters and he wrote
"The Jehovah's Witnesses of Canada!" He is a first rate scholar is my
impression after reading this book. He thoroughly answered any questions
I had about Jehovah's Witnesses! This book should be read by anyone who
is thinking of joining the Watchtower!
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2: A Fair and Superb Look at a Controversial Organization
This is a well written, well documented book that is both intelligent and readable. Mr. Penton provides an objective examination of an organization he was once a part of. This is not the work of an embittered ex-member ranting against his former religion. Penton stays within the realm of factual scholarship while offering small glimpses of his personal experiences as a former Witness. His work is remarkably balanced, considering.
As a note of interest, I currently study with JWs, though I have no desire to become one--not because I am influenced by this book, but because Penton has put into black and white confirmations of what I've long suspected about the Organization just from my personal interaction with them. I have come across subject matter in this book (which was written in the early eighties) that sends chills down my spine, as very little--and yet, so much--has really changed. Many passages are so interesting that the book is hard to put down at times.
This is a must-have book for anyone who wants to know and understand the history, beliefs and the character of Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Society from someone who has "been there, believed that." A very good and compelling read!
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3: Did you ever notice?
I'm giving it one star only because I have to select something, but it's not really even worth that much, to be honest.
I find it interesting to note that Jehovah's Witnesses give their literature away for free, which certainly suggests that their focus is that people read the information and learn for themselves. Ever tried to buy a New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures? That's because it's not for sale. But you can get one for free from your local Jehovah's Witnesses.
However, those who oppose them are always trying to sell their information, which suggests a different focus altogether. Try getting this book for free!
Another difference I've noted... Jehovah's Witnesses, if you tell them you're not interested, will simply leave you alone. Politely. Whereas those who oppose Jehovah's Witnesses seem to go out of their way to make SURE you know exactly how they feel, whether you want to hear it or not. Indeed, you can find their comments plastered at the bottom of any given news article about Jehovah's Witnesses. It's usually the same people with the same comments.
No thanks, I'm not interested. I'll stick to the bible, where scriptures such as Proverbs 3:5 show exactly where we should be getting information.
My suggestion? The next time a Witness knocks on your door, take their magazine, and compare it with your own bible, and decide for yourself rather than take someone else's point of view as gospel. After all, isn't that the whole purpose of the bible in the first place? (Acts 17:11)
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4: Knowledge that leads to a Crisis of Consciousness for any honest Jehovah's Witness
INTRODUCTION:
Almost ten years ago, while "studying the Bible" (via a booklet called "Knowledge that leads to ... Everlasting Life") with the Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs for short) I read this book twice (interestingly enough I found this at a community college and also at a major public university in California). For anyone interested in the Jehovah's Witnesses or anyone involved with the "Watch Tower & Bible Tract Society" (WTBTS, 'the org') I would recommend this book as a un-biased historical account of the theology and history of this 'theocratic' movement.
Professor M. James Penton writes with the charm of a historian (no frills, and few opinions). I believe 'the Truth' of the Jehovah's Witnesses will have the power to make anyone considering or involved in this organization have a "Crisis of Conscience" (another excellent book on the topic of JWs that I highly recommend; written by Raymond Franz - former member of the Governing Board or the highest echelon in the WTBTS).
Jehovah's Witnesses have a specialized lingo they call theocratic (e.g. 'the Truth' - JW's narrow and biased interpretation of the Bible; 'the Way' - JW's limited and controlled way of life; 'Jehovah' - JW's claim to be God's personal name, when in actuality history teaches us it is a corrupted English word; 'apostate' as anyone who leaves the JW organization, regardless of how they feel about the organization, JWs are not allowed to read any literature contrary to WTBTS or written by former JWs).
AUTHOR:
Professor M. James Penton, a Canadian professional historian and professor emeritus, has been a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses for over 10 years before exiting this organization in the 80s, after it was discovered that the dating of the '1914 prophecy' was based on erroneous historical dating.
Compared to most of the books on JWs, this is one of the few (along with Franz Raymond's books) books that is not polemical and belligerent in its tone, or content. Penton is not verbose, yet he covers the entire history of this 19th century organisation up until 1985. Recently (1995) he wrote a public letter to the then president of JWs about how the Society is covering up their past compromise with Nazi Germany.
CONTENT:
The book is divided into two sections covering the theological understanding that Jehovah's Witnesses have (very interesting and non-consistent with the faith of the apostles) and their peculiar history since their founding by Charles Taze Russell. The JW's also have a history book published by the WTBTS, but it is riddled with inacuracies, half-lies, and truth twists.
CONCLUSION:
If you know a Jehovah's Witness who has doubts about their 'truth' (as espoused by their 'Jehovah's earthly organization') this book and Raymond Franz two books ("Crisis of Conscience" and "In Search of Christian Freedom") have the presentation and accurate portrayal of the true history, honest theology, and undercover machinations by those in power. Penton writes to inform, while Franz writes to encourage one to be a true Christian - a Christ's Witness.
From my personal experience as a former fervent door-knocking Jehovah's Witness I can attest to the veracity and power of JOHN 8:32 ...
** Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free! **
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5: Hmmm...
Good book?
Very.
I'm a 2nd year BA History student and I enjoyed reading this book because, well, I love history. It's well researched and well put together. I have only one real gripe. Which, funnily enough, has nothing to do with the actual book, but more looking through the other comments I have read here (and on numerous other websites on JWs).
I think most people look at JWs (and therefore the matter in this book) the wrong way. They're just people who have faith in what they believe in. I hear countless, "they've killed children by not letting blood transfusions", "they've changed their faith so much it can't be true" and "they've made false predictions and are making false translations of doctrine." But why do I only ever seem to see the finger pointed at these people? How many people has the pope let die in Africa through his views on contraception? How many other faiths have evolved and changed over the years? Wasn't the church of England founded just so Henry could get divorced? How many people have died in senseless violence in Ireland between Catholics and Protestants? How many lives have been lost in holy crusades, religion-driven terrorist bombings and wars in the name of God? How much true doctrine has been lost over the years? How can you believe any archive you read, when it's very much possible that the document has either been changed or damaged over the years. Or even worse, misquoted.
Any organistation, religious or not, is ALWAYS going to have some level of corruption. Even the bible acknowledges this in the fall of Lucifer eh?
Should Wittnesses blindly follow the Watchtower? No. Wittnesses should realise that their organisation has faults and try to work on these faults to make it better. But I'm sick and tired of people only pointing the finger at them.
Faith is something on a personal level. Are there over-zealous idiots that make foolish predictions? Of course. But does that mean we label all Witnesses that way? At least these people are trying to live their lives to at least SOME form of moral code. I have respect for them and any other person belonging to any other faith because of that. Everyone, Witnesses, their critics and anyone in-between, just has to remember that humans aren't perfect, we make mistakes, we can only preach tolerance.
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