Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses [Paperback]

James Penton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 1997

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A well-written, clear and fascinating study.'

(James A. Beverley Toronto School of Theology )

'Penton's unique position - a well-travelled, fourth-generation member who served in various capacities - makes him a reliable informant. He aptly gives insight into major doctrines, past and recent prophetic speculation, the authority structure of the Witness organization, and the harshness of the total ban upon those who attempt open discussion of any differing exegetical view.'

(Christianity Today )

'All in all, this is an excellent book and required reading for those interested in Jehovah's Witnesses. Penton's special perspective provides a scholarly inside look at a fascinating and persistent example of modern millenarianism.'

(Timothy P. Weber American Historical Review )

'Penton, a fourth generation Witness with an impeccable academic background, sets forth a detailed and damning outline of the movement and, in particular, those who run the world wide organization.'

(Grant MacGillivray Halifax Daily News )

About the Author

M. James Penton is a professor emeritus in the Department of History at the University of Lethbridge.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division; 2nd edition (August 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802079733
• ISBN-13: 978-0802079732
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #395,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

113 of 116 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Scholarly Treatment of the Jehovah's Witnesses, April 15, 1998

By 

Jan S Haugland ([e-mail]) (Bergen, Norway) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses (Paperback)

Professor (emer.) Jim Penton grew up a Jehovah's Witness, and remained a well-known apologist for the controversial movement even as a professional historian. His earlier (published) study of the movement's unkind treatment by Quebec's authorities is from this period. Eventually, however, he was disfellowshipped from the movement after raising certain criticisms, along with a significant number of other members of the congregation in his hometown Lethbridge.

Dr. Penton's combination of personal insight and professional distance has produced a milestone product that simply cannot be overlooked by any serious student of the sect. The book has three sections: History; Concepts and Doctrine; and Organization and Community.

Penton looks at the history of the movement from the 1870s, its doctrinal changes, its leader figures and the sect's countless predictions of the end of the world. His insight into the inner workings is especially evident when he describes the current organizational structure and the sociological makeup of the Witnesses. The bibliography is extensive, and Penton even includes a somewhat subjective but very valuable evaluation of the sources available.

This book is certainly critical of the Witnesses in many respects, but not as much as many evangelical JW critics would hope. It kills many popular myths about the sect, and criticizes inaccurate or unfounded claims made by the group's religious opponents as much as it criticizes the sect's own -- often horribly inaccurate and unreliable -- history versions.

This reviewer is also a former member of the sect, and is a graduate student of History of Religions at the University of Bergen, Norway.

Note:Searching the Net for articles by James Penton will reveal a number of interesting writings about the JWs that comes highly recommended.

71 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent biography of a very charismic organization, March 29, 2000

By 

AleasureEveMagdalene - See all my reviews

This review is from: Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses (Paperback)

This is the second of the books that describe the inner-workings of Watchtower and the society of the "witness" community. I also found this publication very informative. Penton breaks down his work into two parts: HISTORY and DOCTRINE and THEOLOGY. This reading is helpful because it helps the reader understand that this movement once was very small and adhered to many of the traditional belief systems of it's founder; Charles Taze Russell and his association with other adventist religious groups. Apocolypse... also helps readers understand the four management systems and changes undergone by four different leaders, which are mentioned in great detail in the pages. PART TWO, helps readers understand the organizational structure of both "Watchtower" and the "witness" community. Readers also learn the doctrine and it's comparison to other doctrines. Apocalypse... is laced with interesting historic anecdotes and illustrations of the organization's viewpoint of traditional society outside itself. I recommend reading this publication if you are a student of mind control organizations. I give this a definite five star rating.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An VERY thorough and objective history of the Watchtower, May 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses (Paperback)

I have read many history books of the WT: 1975 yearbook, "Proclaimers" book, Marley Cole's books, "Evocative Religion", as well as from anti-WT authors like Martin. Penton has endeavored to produce a straightforward account of the major actors in the WT movement. JW's whom I know were open-minded enough to have read this book recognize its historical accuracy, but often resent the fact that it shows too much of the fraile, human,and naive side of the Watchtower's principal players. Why? Because to do so weakens their faith in the organization, that it is THE sole organization on earth directed by Jehovah. Penton has done admirable job of treating the main figures and events very matter-of-factly, but I think he sometimes bends over backwards in a few places in defending C.T. Russell.