Annotated Bibliography

Name:

Institution Affiliation:

Botting, H. D. & Botting, G. (2004). The Orwellian World of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Toronto: 

University of Toronto Press

The authors are distinguished scholars who teach religion at the University of Toronto, and they are also witnesses. Their academic qualifications and religious background increase the validity of the arguments they have made in the book. The book evaluates the history of Jehovah’s Witnesses, its symbols and beliefs, and the dynamics of indoctrination and conversion. Botting and Botting (2004) also discuss predictions made by George Orwell on the future of theocracy and how Jehovah’s Witnesses have realized Orwell’s vision. The book will add depth to the paper on Jehovah’s Witnesses since it highlights important information, such as the history of the religion and its underlying principles and values, which are essential in understanding the faith. 

Bowman, R. (1995). Jehovah’s Witnesses. Michigan: Zondervan

The author is an Evangelical Christian Theologian who has written several books on Christianity and its different faiths. His strong academic background as a professor in theology makes his insights on Jehovah’s Witnesses, credible. Bowman (1995) analyzes this religious faith, its meaning and spiritual truth. He also assesses how Jehovah’s Witnesses teachings counter Orthodox Christianity. Moreover, he also investigates what draws followers to the faith and whether it is a cult. This book is essential for the paper on Jehovah’s Witnesses cine it provides the knowledge that will form the theoretical foundation of the paper. It will also provide insights on the differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses ad mainstream Christianity. 

Hewitt, J. (2007). Was Raised a Jehovah’s Witness. Chicago, IL: Kregel Publications.

Joe Hewitt was born and raised as a Jehovah’s Witness. His parents and most of his friends as well as all his family friends were Jehovah’s Witness. He understands all the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witness as well as their way of life and how they conduct everything in their lives. He was a member of this religion and practiced it for close to 30 years and for this reason, his information will be reliable to be used in this research.

The author talks about the teaching and the responsibilities that members are expected to undertake as members of the church. The fact that members are required to spread evangelism from door to door across the globe is also discussed in length. The challenges these members face while performing these tasks are immense yet the church does not seem to put this in to consideration. 

Lingle, W. (2004). Approaching Jehovah’s Witnesses in Love: How to Witness Effectively 

without Arguing. England: CLC Publications

The author is a retired missionary who spread God’s word in countries such as the UK and Japan. He has many years of experience ministering to people, which makes his knowledge regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses, invaluable. The book features questions and answers about Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as information on the strategies people should adopt when speaking and engaging with Jehovah’s Witnesses (Lingle, 2004). It offers practical insights about this faith and addresses many misconceptions that society has held regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses. The book will be essential when writing the paper on Jehovah’s Witnesses since it provides a practical understanding about the faith, and inspires one to use critical thinking skills to understand the motivations that drive Witnesses. 

Rhodes, R. (2009). Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. New York,

NY: Harvest House Publishers.

Ron Rhodes is a religious scholar respected by his peers because of the extensive research and many publications he has written about the original American religions such as the Seventh Day Adventists, Baptists, and Jehovah Witness. Due to this experience, the information that will be got from this source will be very reliable. 

The topic that has been heavily discussed by Rhodes is what the scriptures state and how Jehovah Witness interprets these scriptures. This is a very important aspect of this research, as it will enable the research to come the conclusion of whether Jehovah Witness as a religion believes what Christians believe. It also makes it possible to measure the degree of discrepancy between Jehovah Witness and other Christian’s beliefs. 

Wilson, D. (2002). Awakening of a Jehovah’s Witness: Escape from the Watchtower Society.

Detroit: MI: Michigan:  Publications. 

Duana Wilson is a religious expert who has spent most of her career studying and writing about many religious across the world. She has done a lot of research on Jehovah Witness and written various publications about the religion and its beliefs. Her research has made her made some controversial remarks and calling for the shunning of the religion as she considered it a cult. Her experience in dealing with Jehovah Witness will make her information reliable in doing this research. 

The most important information to get from this source is the history of Jehovah Witness, the key individuals of the religion and its major beliefs. This information will pay a key role in doing this research, as it will enable us in understanding the origin and growth of the religion.

References

Botting, H. D. & Botting, G. (2004). The Orwellian World of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Toronto: 

University of Toronto Press

Bowman, R. (1995). Jehova’s Witnesses. Michigan: Zondervan

Hewitt, J. (2007). Was Raised a Jehovah’s Witness. Chicago, IL: Kregel Publications.

Lingle, W. (2004). Approaching Jehovah’s Witnesses in Love: How to Witness Effectively 

without Arguing. England: CLC Publications

Rhodes, R. (2009). Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. New York, NY: 

Harvest House Publishers.

Wilson, D. (2002). Awakening of a Jehovah’s Witness: Escape from the Watchtower Society.

Detroit : MI: Michigan:  Publications.