Contents: Introduction; Researching Jehovah’s Witnesses; Origins; Russell; Rutherford; Opposition; Organisation; The Bible; Ethics and lifestyle; Worship and rites of passage; Prophecy; Problems and prospects; Index.
George D. Chryssides is a Visiting Fellow at York St John University, and was previously Head of Religious Studies at the University of Wolverhampton. He has published extensively in scholarly journals and has authored and edited several books including The Path of Buddhism (1988), The Advent of Sun Myung Moon (1991), The Elements of Unitarianism (1998), Exploring New Religions (1999), A Reader in New Religious Movements (co-edited with Margaret Z. Wilkins, 2006), Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses (2008), Christianity Today (2010), Heaven's Gate (2011), Christians in the Twenty-First Century (with Margaret Z. Wilkins, 2011), Historical Dictionary of New Religious Movements (2nd edn 2012), The Study of Religion (with Ron Geaves, 2nd edn 2013), and The Bloomsbury Companion to New Religious Movements (with Benjamin E. Zeller, 2014).
"Well-researched studies of Jehovah’s Witnesses are few and far
between. Using a wealth of newly available information, George
Chryssides offers a fresh perspective on the Watchtower movement’s
development from its 19th century origins to the era of
globalisation. His careful account of the collision between
Theocracy, the Internet, environmentalism, the sexual revolution,
liberalism and accusations of sexual abuse is intriguing and highly
readable." - James A. Beckford, University of Warwick, UK "I have
been waiting for a book like this for a long time. George
Chryssides has written a real fine piece of scholarship about the
Jehovah´s Witnesses. The book is comprehensive, scientific,
interesting, and easy to follow. I recommend it to students and
scholars alike."- Liselotte Frisk, Dalarna University, Sweden "This
is a book that gives us a wealth of information about one of the
best-known, yet relatively unknown, of the many minority religions
that have spread throughout the globe over the past century and a
half. Professor Chryssides takes us from the origins of the
Jehovah’s Witnesses right up to the present day, indicating the
changes that have taken place along the way. We learn about the
Witnesses’ beliefs and practices, some of the more controversial of
these (refusal of blood transfusions, proselytising, and
conscientious objection) being discussed in a critical, yet always
empathetic, manner. Particularly masterful is the way Chryssides
guides us through the maze of dates and prophecies that have given
rise to confusion not only for the outsider but also for many of
the Witnesses themselves. Written with admirable clarity, the book
provides absorbing material for a wide range of readers."- Eileen
Barker, Inform, UK "Jehovah’s Witnesses is a remarkable feat in
both scope and depth of analysis. In clear and fluent prose,
Chryssides explains continuity and change in the Watch Tower
Society, exploring everything from its nineteenth century origins
and modern rites of passage to its complex eschatology and
twenty-first century challenges. With this book Chryssides cements
his reputation as one of the world’s leading scholars of the
organisation."- Zoe Knox, University of Leicester, UK"Finally, in
this long-awaited book, George Chryssides sums up in one volume
decades of activities as the leading European expert on Jehovah’s
Witnesses. He analyses their historical roots, and discusses
significant recent changes in the Watch Tower organisation. A
seminal book, which will define the field of the scholarly study of
Jehovah’s Witnesses for years to come."- Massimo Introvigne,
Pontifical Salesian University, Torino, Italy and Managing Director
of CESNUR (Center for Studies on New Religions)"Finally - an
empathetic but non-partisan history of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in
sociological perspective. Chryssides challenges many of our deeply
held misconceptions about this fascinating "old/new" religious
movement." - Susan Palmer, McGill University, Canada"This is a much
needed update on developments within and surrounding the Jehovah’s
Witnesses by one of the leading scholars who has done serious
research on the Witnesses. (...) Overall, this is a valuable
addition to the literature on the Witnesses and on minority
religions in general as they grapple with how to maintain
themselves in current times. Chryssides has done a commendable job
of pulling together a tremendous amount of material and also making
good use of his excellent ties with Witness congregations. His book
will, I believe, stand the test of time and become a much-cited
source for future scholars."- James T. Richardson, University of
Nevada, Reno
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