Jehovah's Witnesses publications

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The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society produces a significant amount of printed and electronic literature, primarily for use by Jehovah's Witnesses. Their best known publications are the magazines, The Watchtower and Awake!

Contents

The Watchtower was first published by Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Bible Student movement, in 1879, [1] followed by the inception of the Watch Tower Society in 1881. [2] Supporters adopted the name Jehovah's witnesses in 1931. [3] Particularly since 2001, when referring to other Watch Tower Society publications their literature has typically stated that it is "published by Jehovah's Witnesses", [4] though the edition notice identifies the publisher as the Watch Tower Society. [5]

Along with books and brochures, other media are also produced, including CDs, MP3s and DVDs, and Internet downloads and video streaming. New publications are usually released at Jehovah's Witnesses' annual conventions.

Literature for preaching

Jehovah's Witnesses outside the British Museum Jehovah's Witnesses outside the British Museum 01.jpg
Jehovah's Witnesses outside the British Museum

Most literature produced by Jehovah's Witnesses is intended for use in their evangelizing work. Publications for preaching are also routinely studied by members, both privately and at their meetings for worship. Their most widely distributed publications are:

When interested individuals are encountered, Witnesses offer a home Bible study course, using a current publication, such as What Does the Bible Really Teach?, which outlines their primary beliefs and interpretations of the Bible. The Witness then visits the student on a regular basis, generally considering a chapter on each visit. Students are requested to examine the material prior to the arrival of the Bible study conductor, using the questions at the bottom of each page, to "help prepare the student for the Bible study". [8]

Jehovah's Witnesses customarily read each paragraph aloud together with the student, and then ask the question(s) provided for that paragraph. Students are encouraged to read the scriptures cited in the material. [9] Bible students are expected to be making progress to become baptized as a Jehovah's Witness by the time the course is completed, [10] and may be asked to study a second publication, such as "Keep Yourselves in God's Love". [11]

Jehovah's Witnesses previously offered their literature for a price determined by the branch office in each country, to cover printing costs. [12] Since 2000, Jehovah's Witnesses have offered their publications free of charge globally. [13] [14] Printing is funded by voluntary donations from Witnesses and members of the public. [15] Jehovah's Witnesses accept donations if offered by householders, and are instructed to invite donations in countries where soliciting funds is permitted. [16]

Literature for members

Some publications, such as the hymnal Sing to Jehovah, The Watchtower Study Edition, [17] and the textbook Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education [18] are for use by those who attend congregation meetings. Others, such as the organizational manual Organized to Do Jehovah's Will [19] and Watchtower Library (containing the Watch Tower Publications Index from 1930, issues of The Watchtower since 1950, and most other Watch Tower Society literature published since 1970), [20] are intended for members. Certain publications are limited to members in appointed positions, such as the manual for congregation elders, "Shepherd the Flock of God". [21] [22]

Some publications are typically distributed only to members, but may be supplied to other interested individuals on request or made available in public libraries. These include the Bible encyclopedia Insight on the Scriptures and Jehovah's Witnesses' official history book Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. [23] [24] Many of these publications are also available from their website in the Watchtower Online Library.

Notable publications

In addition to Jehovah's Witnesses' widely distributed magazines, various publications have received attention from the media and other commentators.

Aid to Bible Understanding

Aid to Bible Understanding was the first doctrinal and biblical encyclopedia of Jehovah's Witnesses, published in full in 1971. Raymond Franz, a former member of the Governing Body who left the organization [25] claimed to have been one of the researchers. [26] Research for the book led to new interpretations of some concepts, providing a catalyst for changes in doctrine. [27] [28] It was replaced in 1988 by Insight on the Scriptures, which contains much of the original content from Aid to Bible Understanding. [29]

Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation?

Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation?, first published in 1985, presents the Old Earth (Gap and Day-Age) creationism of Jehovah's Witnesses, [30] and their criticism of evolution. Biologist Richard Dawkins criticized the book for repeatedly presenting a choice between intelligent design and chance, rather than natural selection. [31] The book was supplemented by the 1998 book, Is There a Creator Who Cares About You?, and the 2010 brochures The Origin of Life—5 Questions Worth Asking and Was Life Created?

The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life

The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life was a Bible study textbook published in 1968 and revised in 1981 (now out of print). [32] The 1975 Guinness Book of Records included this book in its list of highest printings. [33] According to the Watch Tower Society, by 1992 publication had reached 107,553,888 copies in 117 languages. [34]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jehovah's Witnesses</span> Restorationist Christian denomination

Jehovah's Witnesses is a nontrinitarian, millenarian, restorationist Christian denomination. As of 2022, the group reported approximately 8.5 million members involved in evangelism, with 19.7 million attending the annual Memorial of Christ's death. The denomination is directed by a group of elders known as the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, which establishes all doctrines. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the destruction of the present world system at Armageddon is imminent, and the establishment of God's kingdom over earth is the only solution to all of humanity's problems. The group emerged from the Bible Student movement founded in the late 1870s by Charles Taze Russell, who also co-founded Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1881 to organize and print the movement's publications. A leadership dispute after Russell's death resulted in several groups breaking away, with Joseph Franklin Rutherford retaining control of the Watch Tower Society and its properties. Rutherford made significant organizational and doctrinal changes, including adoption of the name Jehovah's witnesses in 1931 to distinguish the group from other Bible Student groups and symbolize a break with the legacy of Russell's traditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures</span> Jehovahs Witnesses Bible translation

The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT) is a translation of the Bible published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society; it is used and distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses. The New Testament portion was released first, in 1950, as The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, with the complete New World Translation of the Bible released in 1961.

Jehovah's Witnesses's practices are based on the biblical interpretations of Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916), founder of the Bible Student movement, and of successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976, practices have also been based on decisions made at closed meetings of the group's Governing Body. The group disseminates instructions regarding activities and acceptable behavior through The Watchtower magazine and through other official publications, and at conventions and congregation meetings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corporations of Jehovah's Witnesses</span> List of corporations in use by Jehovahs Witnesses

A number of corporations are in use by Jehovah's Witnesses. They publish literature and perform other operational and administrative functions, representing the interests of the religious organization. "The Society" has been used as a collective term for these corporations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Franklin Rutherford</span> Second president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

Joseph Franklin Rutherford, also known as Judge Rutherford, was the second president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. He played a primary role in the organization and doctrinal development of Jehovah's Witnesses, which emerged from the Bible Student movement established by Charles Taze Russell.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom is an illustrated religious magazine, published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Jehovah's Witnesses distribute The Watchtower—Public Edition, along with its companion magazine, Awake!.

<i>Awake!</i> Illustrated religious magazine

Awake! is an illustrated religious magazine published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. It is considered to be a companion magazine of The Watchtower, and is distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses. The Watch Tower Society reports worldwide circulation of about 31.5 million copies per issue in 216 languages.

Jehovah's Witnesses are organized hierarchically, and are led by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses from the Watch Tower Society's headquarters in Warwick, New York. The Governing Body, along with other "helpers", are organized into six committees responsible for various administrative functions within the global Witness community, including publication, assembly programs and evangelizing activity.

Watchtower Bible School of Gilead is the formal name of the missionary school of Jehovah's Witnesses, typically referred to simply as Gilead or Gilead School. Gilead is the flagship school at the Watchtower Educational Center at Patterson, New York, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bible Student movement</span> Christian movement founded by Charles Taze Russell

The Bible Student movement is a Millennialist Restorationist Christian movement. It emerged from the teachings and ministry of Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916), also known as Pastor Russell, and his founding of the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1881. Members of the movement have variously referred to themselves as Bible Students, International Bible Students, Associated Bible Students, or Independent Bible Students.

<i>Studies in the Scriptures</i>

Studies in the Scriptures is a series of publications, intended as a Bible study aid, containing seven volumes of great importance to the history of the Bible Student movement, and the early history of Jehovah's Witnesses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania</span> Not-for-profit organization of Jehovahs Witnesses

The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania is a non-stock, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Warwick, New York. It is the main legal entity used worldwide by Jehovah's Witnesses to direct, administer and disseminate doctrines for the group and is often referred to by members of the denomination simply as "the Society". It is the parent organization of a number of Watch Tower subsidiaries, including the Watchtower Society of New York and International Bible Students Association. The number of voting shareholders of the corporation is limited to between 300 and 500 "mature, active and faithful" male Jehovah's Witnesses. About 5,800 Jehovah's Witnesses provide voluntary unpaid labour, as members of a religious order, in three large Watch Tower Society facilities in New York. Nearly 15,000 other members of the order work at the Watch Tower Society's other facilities worldwide.

The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses is the ruling council of Jehovah's Witnesses, based in the denomination's Warwick, New York, headquarters. The body formulates doctrines, oversees the production of written material for publications and conventions, and administers the denomination's worldwide operations. Official publications refer to members of the Governing Body as followers of Christ rather than religious leaders.

Jehovah's Witnesses originated as a branch of the Bible Student movement, which developed in the United States in the 1870s among followers of Christian restorationist minister Charles Taze Russell. Bible Student missionaries were sent to England in 1881 and the first overseas branch was opened in London in 1900. The group took on the name International Bible Students Association and by 1914 it was also active in Canada, Germany, Australia and other countries.

The eschatology of Jehovah's Witnesses is central to their religious beliefs. They believe that Jesus Christ has been ruling in heaven as king since 1914, a date they believe was prophesied in Scripture, and that after that time a period of cleansing occurred, resulting in God's selection of the Bible Students associated with Charles Taze Russell to be his people in 1919. They believe the destruction of those who reject their message and thus willfully refuse to obey God will shortly take place at Armageddon, ensuring that the beginning of the new earthly society will be composed of willing subjects of that kingdom.

"Faithful and discreet slave" is the term used by Jehovah's Witnesses to describe the group's Governing Body in its role of directing doctrines and teachings. The group is described as a "class" of "anointed" Christians that operates under the direct control of Jesus Christ to exercise teaching authority in all matters pertaining to doctrine and articles of faith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Hugh Macmillan</span> Canadian Jehovah Witness leader

Alexander Hugh Macmillan, also referred to as A. H. Macmillan, was an important member of the Bible Students, and later, of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He became a board member of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society in 1918. He presented a history of the religious movement in his book Faith on the March, published in 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Homer Knorr</span> Jehovahs Witnesses leader

Nathan Homer Knorr was the third president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, becoming so on January 13, 1942, replacing Joseph Franklin Rutherford, who had served in the position since 1917.

The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are based on the Bible teachings of Charles Taze Russell—founder of the Bible Student movement—and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and Nathan Homer Knorr. Since 1976, all doctrinal decisions have been made by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a group of elders at the denomination's headquarters. These teachings are disseminated through The Watchtower magazine and other publications of Jehovah's Witnesses, and at conventions and congregation meetings.

References

  1. ↑ Watch Tower, July 1, 1879
  2. ↑ "Modern History of Jehovah's Witnesses". The Watchtower. January 15, 1955. p. 14.
  3. ↑ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. p. 720.
  4. ↑ For example, "Should You Fear the End of the World?". The Watchtower. January 1, 2013. p. 8. What Does the Bible Really Teach? published by Jehovah's Witnesses
  5. ↑ What Does the Bible Really Teach. p. 1. PUBLISHERS Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
  6. ↑ 2015 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. p. 23.
  7. ↑ "The Watchtower—Public Edition" (PDF). The Watchtower. 2023. p. 2.
  8. ↑ What Does The Bible Really Teach?. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 2005. p. 7.
  9. ↑ "Teach What the Bible Really Teaches". The Watchtower. January 15, 2007. pp. 24–25.
  10. ↑ "Be "Intensely Occupied" With Your Ministry". Our Kingdom Ministry. January 2004. p. 3. Your goal is to help the student achieve greater insight into the truth, qualify as an unbaptized publisher, and become a dedicated and baptized Witness of Jehovah.
  11. ↑ "How to Use the "God's Love" Book to Conduct Bible Studies". Our Kingdom Ministry. March 2009. p. 2.
  12. ↑ "Presenting the Good News—By Effective Use of Magazines". Our Kingdom Ministry. October 1984. p. 8.
  13. ↑ "Use Our Literature Wisely". Our Kingdom Ministry. May 1990. p. 7. At the end of February 1990, it was explained that magazines and literature will be provided to publishers and to the interested public on a complete donation basis, that is, without asking or suggesting that a specific contribution be made as a precondition to receiving an item.
  14. ↑ 2001 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. p. 18. The voluntary donation arrangement is explained to people, but no charge is made for the literature. As of January 2000, that arrangement was extended to all lands where it was not already in operation.
  15. ↑ 2001 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. 2002. p. 18.
  16. ↑ "How to Offer the Bible Teach Book". Our Kingdom Ministry. January 2006. p. 5.
  17. ↑ Benjamin Jerome Hubbard; John T. Hatfield; James A. Santucci (2007). An Educator's Classroom Guide to America's Religious Beliefs and Practices. Libraries Unlimited.
  18. ↑ Eugene V. Gallagher; W. Michael Ashcraft (2006). Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America. Greenwood Publishing Group.
  19. ↑ Firpo W. Carr (2002). Jehovah's Witnesses: The African American Enigma—A Contemporary Study. Vol. 1. Morris Publishing. p. 207.
  20. ↑ Torres-Pruñonosa, Jose; Plaza-Navas, Miquel-Angel; Brown, Silas (2022). "Jehovah's Witnesses' adoption of digitally-mediated services during Covid-19 pandemic". Cogent Social Sciences. 8 (1). doi: 10.1080/23311886.2022.2071034 . The 2021 English edition organises and hyperlinks some 137,000 printed pages
  21. ↑ John Ankerberg; John Weldon (1999). Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions. Harvest House Publishers. p. 165.
  22. ↑ "Introduction". "Shepherd the Flock of God". Watch Tower Society. p. 6.
  23. ↑ "Selected Publications of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania". Our Kingdom Ministry. November 1991. p. 6.
  24. ↑ "The Christian View of Authority". The Watchtower. 1 July 1994. p. 21.
  25. ↑ 1973 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 257
  26. ↑ Franz, Raymond (1983). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. p. 20.
  27. ↑ Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. pp. 233–235.
  28. ↑ Franz, Raymond (1983). Crisis of Conscience. Commentary Press. pp. 23–25.
  29. ↑ ""Insight on the Scriptures"—A New Bible Encyclopedia". The Watchtower. March 15, 1989. p. 10. Insight on the Scriptures includes much of what was formerly in the book Aid to Bible Understanding and a great deal more.
  30. ↑ Chryssides, George D. (2008). Historical Dictionary of Jehovah's Witnesses. Scarecrow Press. p. 37. ISBN   9780810862692.
  31. ↑ Richard Dawkins. The God Delusion. pp. 119–121.
  32. ↑ Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. 2000. p. 78.
  33. ↑ "Guinness book sets sale record".
  34. ↑ Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. 1993. p. 594.
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