Customer Reviews

Jehovah's Witnesses

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4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(5)

 

 

Perhaps the best feature of this book is the fact that it is structured as one large outline. This makes the material extremely easy to follow. It also allows for the individual subjects to be accessed easily. For example, if one is looking for information on "The Trinity and the Deity of Jesus Christ" (an important topic when dealing with the JW's), they will have little trouble finding the information because the book has a format that is user-friendly.

If you enjoy "doing" counter-cult apologetics, I cannot think of any resource I would give a higher recommendation to than this one. It has the three key features everyone should look for...1) an easy to follow format; 2) an objective presentation of the particular false teaching being discussed; and 3) a solid, Biblically-based refutation that can be appreciated by the Pastor, as well as the layman.

Jehovah's Witnesses has a sometimes strange way of interpreting the Bible, and it may be hard at times to understand why they believe what they believe. Robert Bowman provides a guide to the theology of the Witnesses. He also cites some of the reasons they give for their distinct beliefs, and then he refutes the arguments and gives reasons for interpreting the Bible in an evangelical way.

Bowman discusses the Witnesses views on (I) authority, (II) the Trinity and Christ, (III), death and hell, (IV) resurrection, (V) salvation, and (VI) Christ's return. In all these areas Bowman shows how the Witnesses misinterpret the Scriptures and gives verses that contradict Jehovah's Witnesses views.

One of the best things with this book is that Bowman, unlike some other authors who write about Jehovah's Witnesses, always is matter-of-factly with a respectful tone. Bowman seems to have heeded his own advice on how to witness to a Jehovah's Witness. Know your Bible, be courteous and respectful, and remember that the person you're dealing with is - although he is indoctrinated - still a person. Might seem obvious, but we often fail in some regard.

My main problem with the book is that it is very concise. It's not a book to read cover to cover, although it's quite short. After a section on, say the Trinity and Christ, I would like to reflect and think about what my beliefs really mean. In a short book like this, one seldom gets that sort of discussion but is instead thrown into the next topic. I also miss some bible verses that more clearly would show what the Bible teaches at times (e.g. John 10:17 would counter the argument that Jesus could not rise bodily since that would mean taking back the ransom he paid). These are minor concerns, however, and mostly due to the shortness of the book.

[One word of warning: there seem to be some minor geographical differences in the teaching of the Witnesses (e.g. what I've heard about the teaching on the "soul" here in Sweden is not what Bowman writes), so be sure to let the Witnesses interpret their own faith.]

All in all, Bowman does a great job in introducing the theology of the Witnesses, and showing how one can interact with them. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to engage in fruitful conversation with a Jehovah's Witness about the Christian faith.

In my humble opinion, Bowman has written an excellent introduction to the Jehovah's Witnesses and how their teachings contradict the Holy Bible.

The booklet's contents are as follows:

1. Introduction to the Witnesses (history, membership, publishing empire).
2. Theology - what the Witnesses believe about the Trinity, Jesus Christ, God, Death and Hell, Resurrection, Salvation, and Christ's Return and how these beliefs contradict true Christianity.
3. How to witness to the Witnesses.
4. Bibliography for studying more on the group.
5. Comparison of the Witnesses' statements on various topics and what the Bible says about the topic.

All in all, an excellent guide for understanding more about a fast-growing group and how to address them in spiritual matters.

Recommended!

As a Christian apologist, with a ministry to Jehovah's Witnesses, I found this publication excellent value and very precise. I was intrigued by the fact that those who have run down and attempted to detract from this publication haven't given any reasons or evidence for their positions. Telling that!!!
It is a good publication for references and helping to understand the Watchtower Society mindset. John Bowman is an excellent author.

Robert M. Bowman is director of research of the Atlanta Christian Apologetics Project, and author of books such as Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses: Why They Read the Bible the Way They Do, 20 Compelling Evidences That God Exists: Discover Why Believing In God Makes so Much Sense, Faith Has Its Reasons: Integrative Approaches to Defending the Christian Faith, etc.

He writes in the Preface to this 1995 booklet, "This is an introductory booklet on Jehovah's Witnesses. It is therefore written for persons who want to understand the distinctive beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses and why those beliefs are rejected by orthodox Christians. Also, whenever possible, I have gone into depth on questions that have not been adequately addressed in Christian literature which seeks to respond to the Witnesses. I have tried to refine the answers to Watchtower arguments that I and other Christians have used for years.... Because this book is limited in length, it focuses on analyzing and refuting the Witnesses' primary doctrinal system---their views on God, Christ, salvation, and the future."

Here are some quotations from the booklet:

"Since Nathan Knorr's presidency] The Society now published its books anonymously (previously the books had carried either Russell's or Rutherford's name)." (Pg. 11)
"Its growth in the United States has been more modest, rising from about 327,000 in 1965 to 946,000 in 1994... In 1965 about 3 out of 10 Jehovah's Witnesses lived in the United States; in 1994 only about 2 out of 10 did so." (Pg. 14)
"Jehovah's Witnesses are right in asserting that 'Hades,' the word translated 'hell' in the King James Version, here (Acts 2:27) does not refer to a place of everlasting punishment... The important point here is that we may agree that 'Hades' does not refer to a place of eternal punishment while continuing to insist that the Bible teaches that such eternal punishment awaits the wicked." (Pg. 35)

The book comes out of a great series by Zondervan edited by Dr. Alan Gomes. It is extremely easy to use in it's outline form and is very well researched. It is a great evaluation and comparison of the doctrine and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses with mainline Christianity. It also has a good bibliography.

Perhaps the best feature of this book is the fact that it is structured as one large outline. This makes the material extremely easy to follow. It also allows for the individual subjects to be accessed easily. For example, if one is looking for information on "The Trinity and the Deity of Jesus Christ" (an important topic when dealing with the JW's), they will have little trouble finidng the information because the book has a format that is user-friendly.

If you enjoy "doing" counter-cult apologetics, I cannot think of any resource I would give a higher recommendation to than this one. It has the three key features everyone should look for...1) an easy to follow format; 2) an objective presentation of the particular false teaching being discussed; and 3) a solid, Biblically-based refutation that can be appreciated by the Pastor, as well as the layman.

Biased and lies. No one has ever seen the Holy Spirit. It or he does not have a name. Pagan doctrine. Quote scriptures out of context or scriptures that have no bearing on the subject matter. Very poorly researched and even poor application. do not buy this crap. Not worth it. gil

This book won't help you any. It's biased, therefore not reliable. And Jehovah's Witnesses are over 6.4 million around the world. Talk to them yourself instead of trying to read lies about them like in this book and other books that are suggested here about them.

This guy is just a vindictive parasite, cashing in on people's curiosity and filling their heads with outright fallacies.

If people want to know the truth about ANYTHING, the only way to learn about it is by going to the source. This guy has evidently not spoken to real life Witnesses. Ever. What he says is based upon hearsay, apostate testimony, mass media lies and his own inventions.

You could walk down the street and convince people that Hitler was a hero and a philanthropist more successfully than you would trying to tell them this book had any relevance to the subject of its title.

This heretic tome is to be avoided by anyone looking for true information. If you are after sensationalist lies and clap-trap, feel free to fill your own head with crap like this.