The Watchtower (1879–1890) (138 issues)
Digital Logos Edition
This product has been transferred from Community Pricing to Pre-Pub. The actual funding level may be lower than it appears, which could delay production. The amount of funding still needed will be evaluated and updated soon.
Overview
Discover the earliest public teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. First published in 1879 by Charles Taze Russell under the name Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, The Watchtower grew out of the Bible Student Movement, and eventually became the main method of evangelization for Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Watchtower is now one of the most widely circulated magazines in the world.
As controversial then as it is now, The Watchtower provides key insights into the development of Jehovah’s Witness thought and teaching. With contributions by Russell, J.H. Patton, W.I. Mann, and many others, this collection offers the first 138 issues of The Watchtower in 12 volumes. Articles, poems, reflections—a variety of content points to late-nineteenth-century perspectives on morals and behavior, biblical interpretation, anticipation of the return of Christ, and the beginning of a new age. By opening a window into the early days of the Bible Student Movement, you’ll improve your understanding of Jehovah’s Witness history and its current doctrine.
With Logos Bible Software, these issues of The Watchtower are enhanced by cutting-edge research tools. Your studies on Jehovah’s Witness thought and theology will link to these texts where they’re cited, and Scripture citations appear on mouseover in your preferred English translation. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Powerful topical searches help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Tablet and mobile apps let you take the discussion with you. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study of comparative religion.
Key Features
- Every issue from the first 12 years of The Watchtower’s publication
- Insights into the beginnings of Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Perspectives on religious thought and morals after the Second Great Awakening
Product Details
- Title: The Watchtower
- Publisher: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
- Publication Dates: 1879–1890
- Issues: 138
- Pages: 5,699
Sample Pages from the First Issue
Reviews
3 ratings
Paul Scott
5/14/2024
Yes, the original set extends from 1879-1919. Those who value only C. T. Russell's contribution to the magazine regularly reproduce only the 1879-1916 portion. This is freely available.
Bechthold Family ❤️
1/8/2023
Anderson Abreu
11/9/2022
I have several books (printed or scanned) from "Jehovah's Witnesses", including books that are restricted to JW, not publicly distributed. For my beginning of Bible study was through them. And from the knowledge of their history, I ended up meeting a Presbyterian church, being converted, and becoming a Presbyterian minister today, by the grace of God. I say that it is important to know their heretical teachings "in loco", because we often do not understand and distort what they believe (which in itself is bad, but we get worse lol). A tip for anyone interested in studying their current writings is to go straight to their website, which for years has made all their publications available. Even their website works very similar to the Logos Web, linked to the Scriptures (in this case, their translation). Including the reference of pages from printed books. It is a tip for anyone who wants to research JW, with care and discernment.P. R. Miller
3/10/2021
When Mitt Romney was running for president, I placed my bid on this. That's how long I've been waiting for this collection for Logos.Ray Mills
10/5/2020
I so want these and later publications of Watch tower resources because they are so helpful in helping these precious souls to find the true Jehovah. These precious souls need loving and informed Christian interaction. What better resources than their own publications. These resources will be so instrumental in helping these wonderful people who are most often sincerely seeking to serve God. I have had many interactions with members of the Watchtower and was fortunate to help some escape. Let's understand reality and the value of these resources, please! These people deserve our love and willingness to assist them find the true way of Jesus Christ. I hope they will reach publication very soon!
D. Andreas Xzavier
10/1/2016
I would love to know the total production cost. The early WTs and SITS Vols would be a very beneficial addition to my theological studies using logos... I have 1879-current in physical bound volumes set and other digital formats but would be sooooo much easier to study and do research from one central program.
Myke Harbuck
9/10/2016
I don't know why everyone is in such an uproar about the publication of this resource. This is all public domain material so the Jehovah's Witness and Watch Tower are not going to profit from the sale of these resource - so FL is not "supporting them." As Christians, we must always be ready to give an account for the hope that is within us. Part of the apologetic process is knowing what false teachings are being peddled by the heretics. As such, we need to know what the false teachers are teaching so that we can counter it with truth, the absolute truth of Gods Word. To be honest, my own knee-jerk reaction was, "Well, I can't believe that Logos is selling this garbage." But after I calmed down and began to think rationally, and begin to be led by the Spirit and not by the flesh, I then realized that studying these resources would go a long way in preparing me to engage the next couple of JW's that appear at my front door. If you don't want these resources in your library, just simply ignore them and don't purchase them. It doesn't mean that Faithlife is promoting their ideology in any shape, fashion, or form by selling these resources. Quite the contrary–they're actually helping to equip evangelical Christians to defend the truths of Christianity against these types of heresies. So PLEASE, can we all just relax, and cut Faithlife some slack. Some folks are just so dog-gone critical, especially with Faithlife. They feel as though it's their life's mission to criticize everything that Faithlife does. I really don't know how Bob and the team handle it some days, yet they are always kind and gracious with their critics (kudos to them!!). Logos isn't taking a wrong turn in Albuquerque, and they're not becoming heretics; they're simply trying to provide us tools by which we can be better teachers of the truth claims of Scripture. If you don't like these resources (like JWs -heretical material, or Catholic/ SDA resources - not-so-orthodoxed materials - from our perspective) that's fine. But please, examine your Bible and discover what it has to say about backbiting, grumbling, complaining, and about speaking those things that are pure and honorable. And don't come back at me with the high and mighty claim that you are the sole defender of what is right, and that as such you must exert a righteous rebuke at Faithlife for peddling heretical materials, and that you're taking the high Christian moral ground by rebuking Faithlife for their poor business decision regarding the sale and marketing of these resources. That's not the case - you're really just looking for an opportunity to criticize and complained. You are NOT the sole defender of what's right, and you're not taking the evangelical truth route by rebuking Faithlife here - you're making a fool of yourself because you fail to use the gift of rationalism that God gave you when He created you in His image. You are being irrational, and unfair to Faithlife, simply because they are doing something that you personally prefer they did not do (IE: stop selling this resource). This reminds me of the little old ladies in the church who defend hymns and the organ as the ONLY true way to worship the Lord - all while the church rapidly declines until the the last two people die out - all while they think they are right and are the only church that really knows how to worship the Lord and tech the Bible. Sad! Truth be told..its more about control, personal preference, and change that it is about Christianity, the Bible, or evangelizing the lost with most of them...very sad! Let me give you the words of David Daniels, who reviewed this resource two years ago. I think what he wrote is very well articulated and is very poignant, and I couldn't say it any better, so I'll just copying & paste his words for you to read: ========= I had commented on this before and inadvertently deleted it. Logos is a powerful tool, and an electronic library. While evangelical Christians cannot espouse the theology of the Watchtower organization (Jehovah's Witnesses), there is value in knowing what they believe. As for it being available through Logos, how is this any different from an evangelical seminary library which houses aberrant theological texts alongside genuine Christian theology? Further, where is the groundswell against Logos offering Roman Catholic theology - a works-based righteousness? Or for that matter, what about the texts of Judaism? And then we have all those Greek philosophical texts. There is a huge body of literature here that contradicts Biblical teaching. In my view, we ought to have these texts available, but Logos might consider making a distinction between the literature that falls within the bounds of genuine Christian teaching and that of liberalism, cults and false religions. There are many who purchase resources here who do not necessarily understand the implications. ========= Blessings everyone.
