Index of Watchtower Errors 1879 to 1989 [Paperback]

David A. Reed (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1990

Teachings of the Jehovah's Witnesses and how they differ from historic Christianity are documented in this study of Watchtower publications from 1879 to 1989.

Product Details

• Paperback: 138 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (June 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801077567
• ISBN-13: 978-0801077562
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for Watchtower quotes, June 27, 2001

By 

Gary F. Zeolla "Director of Darkness to Light... (Pennsylvania USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Index of Watchtower Errors 1879 to 1989 (Paperback)

This book organizes quotations from Watchtower literature both by categories and in historical order. The quotes concern both false prophecies by the Watchtower and its reversals on many of its doctrines through the years.

My favorite example of how the Watchtower has reversed itself of it teachings is on page 116:

The men of Sodom will be resurrected. WT 7/1879, p.8

The men of Sodom will not be resurrected. WT 6/1/1952, p. 479.

The men of Sodom will be resurrected. WT 8/1/1965, p. 479

The men of Sodom will not be resurrected. WT 6/1/1988, p.31.

The men of Sodom will be resurrected. "Live Forever," earlier editions, p.179.

The men of Sodom will not be resurrected. "Live Forever," later editions, p.179.

The men of Sodom will be resurrected. "Insight, Vol.2, p. 985.

The men of Sodom will not be resurrected. "Revelation," p. 273.

It's interesting to note that the last two books were both published in the same year, 1988. And this is not a minor issue as whether the Sodomites will be resurrected or not has a bearing on whether a JW's departed, non-JW loved ones will be resurrected or not.

Since the Watchtower claims to be "God's Channel of Communication" and a "Prophet" as Reed documents in this book, these false prophecies and reversals on doctrines are very damaging to the Watchtower. If the Watchtower was truly what it claimed to be it should infallible. But these quotes clearly show that it is not.

In addition, it is very sad that many JWs have struggled extensively due to some doctrines that were later changed. For instance, the teaching that vaccinations were wrong forced many JWs to find creative ways to get around their schools' requirement that their children be vaccinated. But since the Watchtower has now rescinded this directive, this means previous generations of JWs suffered needlessly. Could the same happen in regards to blood transfusions in the future?

However, JWs are conditioned by the Watchtower not to view anything that appears critical of the Watchtower. So to get a JW to actually consider the information in this book, one would have to attain the cited books themselves or write out the quotes and their sources on a separate sheet of paper and give that to the JW.

Also, pointing out the false prophecies and reversals of doctrines of the Watchtower is only one way to deal with JWs. Another way is to address the doctrines of the Watchtower. And Reed has other books that look at what the Scriptures have to say about Watchtower teachings. And there are three chapters on the Trinity and one on various other Watchtower teachings in my book "Scripture Workbook: For Personal Bible Study and Teaching the Bible."

So get this book by Reed to prepare yourself to address this area of the Watchtower, and get one of Reed's other books or my "Scripture Workbook" to prepare yourself for Biblical discussions.

37 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good tool for anyone who wishes to help JWs., April 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Index of Watchtower Errors 1879 to 1989 (Paperback)

This book will give you a remarkable look into their history. Jehovah's Witnesses themselves are not allowed to read "apostate" material (anything not approved by the JW organization) so you will only distance your self from a JW by showing this book to them. Aside from the introduction and apendix, the book is made entirely of quotes and paraphrases directly from the Watchtower and other JW literature. Their own past convicts them of serious error. The best thing to do is write down some of the references within so they can look it up for themselves at their local Kingdom Hall. The first part of this book is a chronological listing of "errors" in the Watchtower and Awake!. Some of the listings aren't errors but they contradict things said later on.

My favorite error is: from a Watchtower published in the first decaded of the 1900s.

It says that White couples that live in China will produce Chinese children due to the effects of the soil and climate. (!) This from the "mouthpeice of God". I'm sure they would agree now that it was an error, but how can God be in error?

The second half of the book is a listing by subjects and in this section quotes from all JW publications are included as well (not just Awake and Watchtowers).

29 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ERRORS ? Just a few..., September 2, 2001

By 

Gary Goodman "Amethyst Ministries" (Union City, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Index of Watchtower Errors 1879 to 1989 (Paperback)

This book is a must for anyone interested in witnessing to the "Witnesses".

Written by a former full-time minister, elder, and presiding overseer of Jehovah's Witnesses; David Reed has compiled a valuable tool to aid those wishing to reach these lost souls otherwise trapped in this, a most deceptive cult.

His book is a compilation of massive contradictions published by an organization that claims to be infallible through a direct "channel" from God Himself -- the author and editor of 'Watchtower' publications. Among the more insightful data collected through this divine endeavor are these, two of my favorites:

"Rev. William Draper, once black, is now white in answer to prayer." (Watchtower Magazine 10/1/1900, p..2707)

"White people living in China eventually produce Chinese offspring -- without intermarrying -- due to the influence of soil and climate." (Watchtower Magazine 7/15/1902, p.3043)

Okay, with a track record like that you've got to know they're "SERIOUS."