Apocalypse delayed : the story of Jehovah's Witnesses / M. James Penton.

"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. For almost thirty years, M. James Penton's Apocalypse Delayed has been the definitive scholarly study of this religious movement. As a former member of the sect, Penton offers a comprehensive overview of the Jehovah's Witnesses. 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."-- From publisher's website.

"Thoroughly revised, the third edition of Penton's classic text includes substantial new information on the sources of Russell's theology and on the church's early leaders, as well as coverage of important developments within the sect since the second edition was published fifteen years ago."-- From publisher's website.

Toronto ; Buffalo ; London : University of Toronto Press, 2015.

xix, 547 pages, 11 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, portraits ; 24 cm

Third edition.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 475-507) and index.

pt. I. History -- 1. The doctrinal background of a new American religious movement -- Charles Russell : the early years -- George Stetson and George Storrs -- The British Millenarian revival -- The dispersion and development of Albury Park Eschatology -- Dr. Joseph A. Seiss -- Russell and the object and manner of Christ's return -- Dr. Nelson H. Barbour and the Three Worlds -- Russell breaks with Barbour -- 2. Charles Russell and the Bible student movement -- The Bible Students' Association -- The "conspiracy" of 1894 -- Russell as the faithful and wise servant -- Russell's marital tribulations -- The New Covenant Schism -- Russell's external adversaries -- Russell's last years and death -- 3. The creation of a theocracy -- Joseph Franklin Rutherford -- The Watch Tower Schism of 1917 -- The bible students and the first world war -- Post-war reorganization -- Millions now living will never die -- Rutherford's ministry -- Conventions -- Rutherford's growing power -- The new name -- The development of theocratic government -- Growing social alienation -- The growth of the bible student-Jehovah's Witness community -- The vindication of Jehovah's name -- The attack on religion -- The great multitude -- Rutherford's personal life and last days -- Rutherford's death and legacy -- 4. The era of global expansion -- Rutherford's successors -- The Olin Moyle case -- The remoulding of the Witness Community -- The growth of the Witness Community -- New World Assemblies -- Fighting for freedom to preach -- Congregation committees and disfellowshipping -- Stay Alive till '75 -- Organizational and congregational liberalization -- 5. Prophetic failure and reaction -- The attack on intellectuals -- Closing Heaven's gates -- Doctrinal vacillations -- Growth of dissent -- Governing body's response to dissent -- 6. From dynamic growth to organizational stagnation -- Administrative changes -- Doctrinal changes -- Effects of changes on the Witness Community -- Continued promotion of false history -- Growing critical study of Jehovah's Witnesses -- Dissident attacks on the Witness movement -- The Watchtower's response to "apostates" -- 7. Relations with the world -- Attitudes towards other religions -- Religious persecution -- The nature of anti-witness propaganda -- The charge of sedition -- Witness concepts of relations with the State -- Opposition of preaching -- Military service -- Patriotic exercises and political neutrality -- Marxist persecution -- Witness compromises with the world -- General social attitudes -- Blood transfusions -- Separateness and social concerns.

pt. II. Concepts and doctrines -- 8. Bases of doctrinal authority -- The Faithful and the Discreet Slave -- Progressive revelation -- Natural theology and the Bible -- Biblical interpretation -- Philosophy of history -- 9. Major doctrines -- Theology -- Christology and soteriology -- Covenantal relationships -- Spirit creatures -- The nature of humankind -- Baptism and the Lord's Supper -- The Church -- The Great Crowd -- Creation -- Bible chronology and eschatological prophecy -- The Resurrection -- The sacredness of life and blood -- The preaching work -- pt. III. Organization and community -- 10. Organizational structure -- The Witness hierarchy -- The development of the governing body -- Governing body committees -- The world-wide headquarters -- The legal corporations -- Watch Tower wealth -- Watchtower literature -- Zone, district, and circuit overseers -- Branches -- Elders and ministerial servants -- Pioneers -- Congregational meetings -- Evangelism -- Formal organizational controls -- Informal controls -- Organizational efficiency -- 11. The witness community -- Membership, recruitment, and conversion -- Sex, marriage, and the family -- Education -- Entertainment, the arts, and literature -- Moral values and social relationships -- Moral behavior -- Ethnic and racial attitudes -- Witness mental health -- Decreasing zeal -- Dissonance and dissent -- Response to dissent -- The effects of Watchtower policy -- Witness instability and conservatism -- Conclusion.