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About Jehovah's Witnesses and Specific Watchtower Doctrines
Crisis of Conscience by Raymond Franz. (Commentary Press) 3rd Edition (with topical and Scriptural indices), 424 pages. Unique insight into the authority structure of the Watchtower religion from a former member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Considered by many as the definitive work about the inner workings of the WT Society. $19.95 hardcover; $15.95 paperback. Also published in Czech, Danish, Dutch, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish and Swedish, $15.95. Postage $1.75 first copy; $.85 each additional copy. Frence version available on CD only. Contact Commentary Press for details.
In Search of Christian Freedom by Raymond Franz. (Commentary Press) 736-page sequel to Crisis of Conscience. Discusses organizational loyalty; blood; door-to-door activity; disfellowshipping; many others. $21.95 hardcover; $17.95 paperback. Postage $2.25 first copy; $1.25 each additional copy.
The Gentile Times Reconsidered by Carl Olof Jonsson. (Commentary Press) 3rd edition, 368 pages. Documents 14 independent lines of secular evidence that date the destruction of Jerusalem to 587 B.C., refuting the Watchtower's chronology and 607 B.C. date, which is the foundation of their claim that Jesus Christ returned in 1914 and appointed Jehovah's Witnesses as his “faithful and discreet slave.” $14.95 paperback. Postage $1.75 first copy; $.85 each additional copy.
The Sign of the Last Days—When? by Carl Olof Jonsson & Wolfgang Herbst (edited by Raymond Franz) (Commentary Press) 272 pages. Is Christ's return to be preceded by unprecedented war, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, crime and other calamities? Evidence that this claim is based on a misunderstanding of Christ's prophecy; accompanied by historical facts contradicting many WT claims that our era has seen overwhelming evidence of a "composite" sign. $13.95 paperback. Postage $1.75 first copy; $.85 each additional copy. (Also available in Italian)
Where is the “Great Crowd” Serving God? by Jon Mitchell, former secretary to the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 24 pages. A discussion of Revelation 7:9-17, in the context of events at the Watchtower Society's headquarters in 1980. $1.75 paperback. Postage $1.00 first copy; $.25 each additional copy.
Apocalypse Delayed by M. James Penton (University of Toronto Press) 400 pages. The author, a retired professor of religious history and former third-generation Jehovah's Witness, provides a comprehensive historical study of the movement from its beginning up to recent times. Noteworthy for its wealth of detail and careful documentation. $17.95 paperback. Postage $1.75 first copy; $.85 each additional copy.
The Fire That Consumes by Edward Fudge (Providential Press), 240 pages. According to Clark H. Pinnock, McMaster Divinity College, Canada, “In this extensive and effective book, Mr. Fudge seriously challenges the popular assumption that God plans to raise the wicked to immortality in order to inflict upon them everlasting pain. I know of no book which answers Mr. Fudge’s powerful case for conditional immortality.” $11.95 paperback. Postage $1.75 first copy; $.85 each additional copy.
All the above publications are available from: Commentary Press, PO Box 43532, Atlanta, GA 30336: http://www.commentarypress.com or from secular or Christian bookstores.
The Christian Respondent, a critique of Watchtower teachings and policies, published between 1984 and 1991. Spiral bound set of all 52 original, plus 2 bonus issues, available for $21.00 post paid. Available from Christian Respondent, Inc. 42851 260th Ln, Aitkin, MN 56431-4958.
The Father/Son Relationship: 87-pages. Presents an overview of the relationship and respective dignities represented in God and his Son Jesus Christ. The author argues that the question that needed to be answered in the first century was not, “Is Jesus God?” but, “Is Jesus the Messiah?” The booklet also covers the development of the Trinity doctrine in the centuries following the establishment of the Christian congregation. Price: $5.00 per copy mailed to any address in U.S. Canada: $6.00 per copy, all other countries: $8.50 (Payment in U.S. currency or check drawn on U.S. bank and payable to Christian Respondent, Inc.) Available from Christian Respondent, 42851 260th Ln, Aitkin, MN 56431-4958.
Thus Saith the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses by Randall Watters. Photographic reproductions of false prophecies and deceptions from their own publications. $9.00 This book and many other resources are available from http://www.freeminds.org/
Historical Works by and About the Early Church
Paul's Idea of Community—The Early House Churches in Their Historical Setting by Robert Banks (Anzea Publishers, Australia) 208 pages, paperback. What distinguished Christian communities of the first century? How did they function? Were they “organized?” Banks provides Biblical and historical answers. $8.95. Postage $1.25 first copy; $.50 each additional copy. Available from Commentary Press or from secular or Christian bookstores.
A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, David W. Bercot, Editor, (Hendrickson), 704 pages, hardbound. Quotations from the extant writings of early Christians, starting from late in the first century to approximately 325 A.D., on over 700 topics, with references to the context in the complete Ante-Nicene writings from which they were taken. Can be used as an index to those writings.
Complete Writings of the Ante-Nicene Fathers: 10 Volumes, by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, Philip Schaff, Henry Wace. The following description from Amazon.com:
The Ante-Nicene Fathers ranges from the Apostolic Fathers to various third and fourth century sources including the liturgies and ancient Syriac documents. It was intended to comprise translations into English of all the extant works of the Fathers (with the exception of the more bulky works of Origen) down to the date of the first General Council held at Nicaea in 325 A.D. This American edition by Arthur Cleveland Coxe is a revision of the original series edited by Alexander Roberts and Sir James Donaldson and published in Edinburgh and involves a major rearrangement to conform to the historical sequence, the addition of brief introductions and notes indicating variances in readings, specifying references to scripture or literature, clarifying obscure passages, and noting corruptions or distortions of patristic testimony (as forged in the Decretals). The basic aim of the translations has been to strive for literary exactness, placing the English reader as nearly as possible on an equal footing with those who are able to read the original.
Volume Titles:
Volume 1: Apostolic Fathers, Justin Martyr, Inrenaeus
Volume 2: Hermas, Tatian, Athenagoras, Theophilus, Clement of Alexandria
Volume 3: Tertullian
Volume 4: Tertullian (IV), Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen
Volume 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian, Appendix
Volume 6: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the Great, Julius Africanus, Anatolius and Minor Writers, Methodius, Arnobius
Volume 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius, Apostolic Teaching and Constitutions, Homily, and Liturgies
Volume 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts and Epistles, The Clementina, Aprocryphal Gospels and Acts, Syriac Documents
Volume 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Testament of Abraham, Epistles of Clement, Origen and Miscellaneous Works
Volume 10: Bibliography, General Index, Annotated Index of Authors and Works
A History of Christianity, by Paul Johnson, Atheneum. Has been called the best one-volume history of the Christian Church.
Of General Interest
Darwin on Trial by Phillip E. Johnson (Regnery Gateway Press) 195 pages. A University of California professor of law tests the argumentation and use of evidence by leading advocates of evolution. $15.95 hardcover. Postage $1.25 first copy; $.50 each additional copy.
Eight Translation New Testament (Tyndale House Publishers) 1,950 pages. An excellent study aid, allowing the reader to view 8 different translations of the same verses on two facing pages. Contains the King James Version, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, Phillips Modern English, Today's English Version and the Living Bible. $29.95 paperback. Postage $2.75 first copy; $1.35 each additional copy.
The above available from: Commentary Press or from secular or Christian bookstores.
Assistance With the Problems of Leaving an Authoritative Religion
Preparing For Child Custody Cases, a reproduction of the Watchtower Society's instruction booklet for lawyers representing JW's involved in child custody cases $4.95. Available from Marilyn Zweifel, PO Box 241005, Milwaukee, WI 53224
Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan, (Park Street Press) 260 pages. $11.95 Hassan also has a web site: http://www.freedomofmind.com/
Channel C is an on-line forum on which many former Jehovah’s Witnesses post thought-provoking questions and discuss topics anonymously. http://www.channelc.org/
Software for Bible Study
BibleWorks 6.0 Powerful Bible study software for PC has numerous texts including Hebrew, Greek (LXX and NT) Latin as well as translations in modern languages, including 11 English versions (including NIV), 5 Spanish, 8 French, 6 German. Includes widely-respected study aids, lexicons and dictionaries, including an integrated electronic version of standard reference works, including the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. This powerful program can search on words, roots, part of speech and other criteria in multiple languages, including the originals. Export results to popular word processors. See much more or order online from http://www.bibleworks.com/ or call 1-800-74-BIBLE.
rev 05-04