What do you think?
Rate this book
Deliverance
1926. 379 pages. No dust jacket. Blue cloth with gilt lettering. Pages are lightly tanned and thumbed at the edges, with light foxing. Binding has remained firm. Boards are a little rub worn, slight shelf wear to corners, spine and edges. Corners are a little bumped. Spine ends are mildly crushed.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1926
14 people want to read
About the author
J.F. Rutherford
73 books11 followersJoseph Franklin Rutherford, also known as Judge Rutherford, was the second president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses) from 1917 until his death in 1942. His appointment was disputed by the Society's board of directors, 4 of which accused him of an autocratic leadership style. This controversy lead to a schism in the Bible Students movement. In 1918 Rutherford and seven other Watch Tower executives were imprisoned briefly on charges of sedition. Following his release from prison, Rutherford began a major reorganization of Bible Student activities.
At a May, 1919 convention in Ohio he announced the publication of a new magazine, The Golden Age (later renamed Awake!). In 1920, Rutherford published a booklet, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, and a year later published his first hardcover book, The Harp of God. This was followed by a further nineteen hardcover books, each with one-word titles, such as Creation (1927), Jehovah (1934) and Children (1941). His publications reached a total printing of 36 million copies.
In 1925 he gained full control over what doctrines would be taught in Watch Tower Society publications, overruling the refusal by the five-man Editorial Committee to publish his article, "Birth of the Nation", which contained significant doctrinal changes. At a 1931 Bible Student assembly in Columbus, Ohio Rutherford proposed a new name for the organization, Jehovah's witnesses, to differentiate them from the proliferation of other groups that followed Russell's teachings.
Rutherford died at Beth Sarim on January 8, 1942 at the age of 72. Cause of death was "uraemia due to carcinoma of the rectum due to pelvic metastasis."
At a May, 1919 convention in Ohio he announced the publication of a new magazine, The Golden Age (later renamed Awake!). In 1920, Rutherford published a booklet, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, and a year later published his first hardcover book, The Harp of God. This was followed by a further nineteen hardcover books, each with one-word titles, such as Creation (1927), Jehovah (1934) and Children (1941). His publications reached a total printing of 36 million copies.
In 1925 he gained full control over what doctrines would be taught in Watch Tower Society publications, overruling the refusal by the five-man Editorial Committee to publish his article, "Birth of the Nation", which contained significant doctrinal changes. At a 1931 Bible Student assembly in Columbus, Ohio Rutherford proposed a new name for the organization, Jehovah's witnesses, to differentiate them from the proliferation of other groups that followed Russell's teachings.
Rutherford died at Beth Sarim on January 8, 1942 at the age of 72. Cause of death was "uraemia due to carcinoma of the rectum due to pelvic metastasis."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 26, 2016
Riches disappointed me heavily. Instead of expounding upon the faith of the Jehovah's Witnesses, Rutherford resorted to invective and animadversions against the Catholic hierarchy. He failed to recognize that the among the most important rules of debate is to state logical arguments in a structured manner. His ad hominem arguments against other Christian denominations seemed puerile and ineffective. It didn't help that his use of Jehu and Jonadab in relation to their faith didn't make much sense.
Riches simply failed as catechetical literature, because it failed as an exegesis. Among historians of the Jehovah's Witnesses, however, Deliverance, in contrast, seems to be better received. I am wont to agree with these historians: the first 200 pages are a layman's explanation of the Bible. The Bible was succinctly summarized, with important points noted regarding the Fall of Man. Rutherford also used his legal experience in order to state examples that could be understood by everyone with basic education. Through these examples, he was able to elucidate on Biblical concepts excellently.
Rutherford, however, resumed his harangue against the Catholic Church at page 250 onward. In contrast to more modern literature from the JW, Rutherford's writing was crude and offensive. It was also simplistic. Despite this, however, his clear and concise summary during the first 250 pages of the book more than makes up for the poorly-written conclusion. It definitely is a much better book than the excremental Riches.
Who was J. F. Rutherford, though?
Rutherford was the leader of the Jehovah's Witnesses after Charles Russell. I think in contrast with the JW's leaders of today, he was a lot more controversial and strong-willed. He wrote almost a book a year on average ever since he became president of the JW until his death. Deliverance is among his better books.
Riches simply failed as catechetical literature, because it failed as an exegesis. Among historians of the Jehovah's Witnesses, however, Deliverance, in contrast, seems to be better received. I am wont to agree with these historians: the first 200 pages are a layman's explanation of the Bible. The Bible was succinctly summarized, with important points noted regarding the Fall of Man. Rutherford also used his legal experience in order to state examples that could be understood by everyone with basic education. Through these examples, he was able to elucidate on Biblical concepts excellently.
Rutherford, however, resumed his harangue against the Catholic Church at page 250 onward. In contrast to more modern literature from the JW, Rutherford's writing was crude and offensive. It was also simplistic. Despite this, however, his clear and concise summary during the first 250 pages of the book more than makes up for the poorly-written conclusion. It definitely is a much better book than the excremental Riches.
Who was J. F. Rutherford, though?
Rutherford was the leader of the Jehovah's Witnesses after Charles Russell. I think in contrast with the JW's leaders of today, he was a lot more controversial and strong-willed. He wrote almost a book a year on average ever since he became president of the JW until his death. Deliverance is among his better books.
Displaying 1 of 1 review