The following books, among many others, were consulted for information regarding the movements, groups, and teachers profiled on the Field Guide website. All are in the webauthor's private collection. Those wishing to do more extensive research on any of the topics covered on this website may find this list useful as a starting point. Most of these books include extensive bibliographies of other books related to their specific topic.

Many of these books are still available new from Amazon.com, and some that are temporarily or even permanently out of print are still available through Amazon.com's used book services.

A few of the books on the list are even available for free download through the Internet now, and links are provided below to those websites where you may download your own copy, or read online.

Also, many of these, both new and old, may be available to borrow through your local library via the "Inter-library Exchange."   Libraries in this network throughout the country regularly swap books from their collections upon specific request. Ask your local librarian for assistance.

 

 

Another Wave of Revival

Bartleman, Frank
Whitaker House, Springdale PA
1962

Revised reprint of a 1925 book that outlined the beginnings of the Pentecostal movement from the positive perspective of a man deeply involved in that movement. (175 pages)

 

 

Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah’s Witnesses

Penton, M. James
University of Toronto Press, Toronto ONT
1985, 1997

Author Penton, a retired professor of history and religious studies at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, was a fourth generation Jehovah's Witness before being disfellowshipped in 1980. This volume is a scholarly, comprehensive overview of the movement from its beginnings in the work of Charles Taze Russell in the 1800s right up to the date of the 1997 revision of this book. It covers events, personalities, doctrines, organization, policies and much more, as well as Penton's own commentary and evaluation and extensive documentation from JW source material. (444 pages)

 

 

Armageddon Now! The Premillenarian Response to Russia and Israel Since 1917

Wilson, Dwight
Baker Book House, Gr. Rapids MI
1977

Fascinating, comprehensive history of prophetic speculation from 1917-1977, as seen in the periodicals published by evangelicals who promoted the "premillennial" view of End Times prophecy during that time period. From the book jacket:

The author cautions his fellow premillenarians that they will lose their credibility if they continue to see in each political crisis a sure fulfillment of Biblical prophecy--despite their obvious errors concerning earlier crises. They who pride themselves on interpreting prophecy "literally" end up interpreting it with what the author calls a "loose literalism." He also discusses such disturbing trends in the premillennial camp as anti-Semitism (which crops up despite the premillennialists' pro-Zionism) and indifference to social involvement. (258 pages)

 

 

The Armstrong Empire: A Look at the Worldwide Church of God

Hopkins, Joseph Martin
William B Eerdmans Publishing Co
1974

At the time of writing this book, Hopkins was a Professor of Religion at Westminster College, contributing editor to The Presbyterian Outlook, and an author of articles published in a number of magazines and journals including Christianity Today. This book is exceptionally objective—and meticulously and copiously documented—in its description of the history, practices and doctrinal beliefs of the WCG, compared to many others written by Protestant authors critical of WCG doctrine. Although the author does spend some time dissecting the doctrines and presenting counter arguments from his point of view of scripture, he does not engage in erecting "straw men" about Herbert Armstrong's teachings, as have a number of other more sensationalistic books. He documents most of the concepts that he addresses with quotes directly from WCG materials, and presents a summary of doctrinal WCG beliefs in an appendix that was, he notes, prepared by an Ambassador College graduate. He also presents an extensive collection of interviews with and comments by present and former members of the WCG, as well quotations from a wide variety of other authors who had done research on the organization. (304 pages)

 

Armstrongism: Religion or Rip-off?

McNair, Marion
Pacific Charters, Orlando FL
1977

Marion McNair was one of the earliest students at Herbert W. Armstrong's Ambassador College, graduating in 1954, and one of the first men to be ordained to the rank of "evangelist" in Armstrong's Radio Church of God (later Worldwide Church of God). This book, written shortly after he resigned in disgust from the organization, contains some of the most extensive documentation and details available in print on the development of Armstrong's ministry. It starts in the earliest days in the 1930s while Armstrong was still affiliated with the Church of God, Seventh Day, and continues right up to the time of the upheavals in his organization after the failure of his 1972/1975 prophetic scenarios. (339 pages)

 

 

Beware the New Prophets: A Caution Concerning the Modern Prophetic Movement

Randles, Bill
Distributed by Believers in Grace Fellowship, 8600 C Ave., Marion, IA 52302 (319) 373-3807
1999

Written by a Pentecostal pastor who cannot be charged with being "prejudiced" against such phenomena as speaking in tongues, this is one of the most effective and balanced overviews of the "Modern Prophetic Movement" within Charismatic circles I have seen. (134 pages) 

A short extract from the book can be read online.

 

 

Beware This Cult!: An insider exposes Seventh-day Adventism and their false Prophet, Ellen G. White.

Hunt, Gregory, M.D., B.Sc., F.R.C.P. © 1981

Chapters 6-18 of this book, sections specifically dealing with Ellen G. White, are available on the web. This book particularly deals in detail with the origin of the "health reform" teachings of Ellen G. White.

 

 

Beyond Mormonism: An Elder’s Story

Spencer, James R.
Fleming H. Revell, Old Tappan NJ
1984

Author Spencer was a convert to Mormonism, and active as an elder, teacher and more for ten years. He then became disillusioned with the doctrines of the Church, and eventually was disfellowshipped. He later became a pastor in an evangelical church. This volume is a very chatty, informal description of that spiritual journey and the trauma he and his family experienced around the time of his disfellowshipment. (179 pages)

 

 

The Broadway to Armageddon

Hinson, William B
William Hinson, Hohenwald TN
1977

Overview of the Worldwide Church of God by a former WCG elder. Hinson had been involved with the Radio/Worldwide Church of God since 1962. He was ordained as a deacon in 1965 and as an elder/minister in 1969. He left in disgust in 1976 and wrote and compiled this book. A number of the chapters are collections of memoirs of other former members, resignation letters from ministers and members, personal correspondence between those in leadership positions in the organization and so on. One of the most valuable contributions of this book is its emphasis on personal stories of unnecessary suffering among the membership brought on by the unbiblical, ungodly and unethical teachings and policies of the Armstrong system. Most of the other books critical of the movement focus rather on theological arguments about Herbert W Armstrong's doctrines, or exposes of the unethical or immoral financial, sexual, administrative and other shenanigans of the leadership. (234 pages)

 

 

By His Own Hand Upon Papyrus: A New Look at the Joseph Smith Papyri

Larson, Charles M.
Institute for Religious Research, Gr. Rapids, MI
1985, revised 1992

The complete text of this book is now available on the Internet for free download.

In 1835, Joseph Smith and the early Latter-day Saints came into possession of some authentic Egyptian mummies, along with some papyrus scrolls which had been with them. Smith claimed to be able to translate the ancient Egyptian writings on the scrolls, and to have discovered that one of them contained the actual writings of the patriarch Abraham done "by his own hand upon papyrus." He proceeded to translate a portion of the writing, creating what is now known in the LDS church as the Book of Abraham, a document which establishes some distinctive Mormon doctrines. The scrolls were lost in the 1800s, but resurfaced in the 1967. Larson's book chronicles the history of the documents and the chaos that resulted in the LDS church when the original papyri used by Smith were shown by modern scholarship to have no connection at all with the claims made for them by Smith. The book includes a full color foldout facsimile of the papyri in question

 

 

The Case of D.M. Canright

Douty, Norman, 1964
Baker Book House, 1964
 

The complete text of this book is now available on the Internet for free download.

From the Introduction by the author:

Mr. Canright was in Seventh-day Adventism for 28 years, rose to prominence therein, and then left it (in 1887). He subsequently wrote several books and pamphlets that have proved very damaging to the cause he had formerly espoused. Elder D. A. Delafield, Associate Secretary of the Ellen G. White Publications, told me on July 15, 1962, that Canright has been the most potent adversary Adventism has had during the past eight decades.

Ever since Canright left them, the Adventists have been doing all in their power to undermine his testimony against their movement. It is true, he was carried to his grave over forty years ago, but since some of his writings continue to be published, his critics keep active. I have recently been told by some Adventists that their church plans to prepare a ‘Life of Canright." The object, naturally enough, will be to discredit him so thoroughly, that none will ever again venture to quote him as a witness against Adventism.

…Since Canright’s death a number of articles have been published in his defense, but they have been rather limited in scope. In view of all the relevant facts, it seems that the time is long overdue for a thoroughgoing account of him to be written, so that everyone may see for himself that his testimony deserves serious consideration

…Having now accumulated a mass of information concerning Canright--such as no other, to my knowledge, possesses--I consider it a sacred duty to share it with the public, especially because it serves to demonstrate the character of the Adventist movement. Before I begin, however, I wish to make a few things plain:

1. I make no use whatever of rumor or hearsay; when I refer to false assertions, I refer either to statements which Adventists have made in conversation with me (or in letters to me), or to materials emanating from them which are in my possession (including photostats).

2. I do not necessarily subscribe to all of Canright’s views, but any minor dissent from them involves no reflection on either his sincerity or his ability as a teacher of God’s Word.

3. I bear no ill will toward the person of any Adventist. However, this will not prevent me from speaking plainly of those who are manifestly guilty of evading, suppressing or distorting facts. In such cases, I shall only consider my duty to God and to His people.

 

 

The Changing World of Mormonism

Tanner, Jerald and Sandra
Moody Press, Chicago IL
1980

The complete text of this book is available for free download online .

This book, written by former dedicated Mormons (Sandra is a great, great granddaughter of Brigham Young) is an exhaustive investigation into the history of Mormonism and the many changes in doctrine within the organization made in recent decades. Many teachings which were formerly touted to be established by direct divine revelation to LDS founder Joseph Smith and later Prophets of the Church have been changed without any explanation how God could have changed His mind. The Tanners provide extensive documentation regarding these matters including photo-reproductions of actual early Mormon publications. (591 pages)

 

 

 

Charismatic Chaos

John F. MacArthur, Jr.
Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids MI
1992

 

 

Counterfeit Revival: Looking for God in All the Wrong Places

Hanegraaff, Hank
Word Publishing, Dallas TX
1997

 

 

Crisis of Conscience: The struggle between loyalty to God and loyalty to one’s religion

Franz, Raymond
Commentary Press, Atlanta GA
1983

This book is the single most helpful source of information and commentary regarding concerns about the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Raymond Franz was a former member of the Governing Body of the JW organization. And his uncle, Fred Franz, was the WBTS president and the head of the Governing Body, the single most influential leader in the organization, from 1977-1992. A period of turmoil within the JW organization in the late 1970s and early 1980s led to the expulsion of Raymond Franz and a number of other JW leaders, along with tens of thousands of members. Franz's book chronicles and documents carefully this whole episode. In the process, he gives an extremely vivid view behind the scenes of the organization which clarifies the causes for and results of many of the areas of concern mentioned in the JW profile in this Field Guide.

 

 

The Daughter of Babylon, The True History of the Worldwide Church of God

Renehan, Bruce

A 130 page book available free in its entirety for download from the Internet.

Renehan was a member of the WCG for 23 years. He first became involved with the organization in 1969, and was employed at the Pasadena HQ in 1970, working for the church for seven years. This book gives a broad overview of the history of the church, with quite a bit of documentation. But its particular emphasis is on the author's research into the WCG's notion of "church history." WCG writers constructed an idiosyncratic view of history which they used to establish the work of Herbert Armstrong as the head of the "Philadelphia Era" of an unbroken sequence of "church eras" through history that allegedly included the Waldenses and other obscure religious groups of the past 2000 years. Renehan offers extensive historical documentation which brings many facets of this scenario into question.

 

 

A Different Gospel (Updated Edition)

McConnell, D.R.
Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody MA
1988, 1995

"A bold and revealing look at the biblical and historical basis of the Word of Faith movement"

 

 

The Disappointed: Millerism and Millenarianism in the Nineteenth Century

Edited by Numbers, Ronald L. and Butler, Jonathan M.
Indiana University Press, Bloomington and Indianapolis IN
1987

 

 

Doomsday Delusions: What's Wrong with Predictions About the End of the World?

Pate, C. Marvin; Haines, Calvin B. Jr.
Intervarsity Press, Downer's Grove IL
1995

 

 

The Edges of Seventh-Day Adventism: A Study of the Separatist Groups Emerging from the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (1844-1980)

Tarling, Lowell
Galilee Publishing, Barragga Bay, Bermagui South, NSW, AUS
1981

 

 

The Encyclopedia of American Religions: Three Volumes

Melton, J. Gordon, Editor
Triumph Books, Tarrytown NY
1989

 

 

End Time Visions: The Road to Armageddon?

Abanes, Richard
Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville TN
1998

Author Abanes explores the history of prophetic speculation.

 

 

The Faith Healers

Randi, James
Prometheus Books, Buffalo NY
1987

Former stage magician Randi, now a professional de-bunker of claims of the paranormal and supernatural, provides an expose' of the tactics used by many in the Healing Movement.

 

 

Fire From Heaven: The rise of Pentecostal spirituality and the reshaping of religion in the twenty-first century

Cox, Harvey
De Capo Press, div. of Perseus Books, Cambridge MA
1995

 

 

The Gentile Times Reconsidered: Chronology and Christ’s Return

Jonsson, Carl Olof
Commentary Press, Atlanta GA
1983, 1998

Author Jonsson, a former dedicated member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, evaluates the validity of the basis for much Witness speculation on End Times prophecy.

 

 

God Is a Millionaire

Mathison, Richard
Charter Books, Bobbs-Merrill Indianapolis IN
1960

Author Mathison provides an overview of the Health and Prosperity teaching  of his time.

 

 

God Wants You Rich and Other Enticing Doctrines

Bulle, Florence
Bethany House, Minneapolis MN
1983

 

 

Herbert Armstrong’s Tangled Web

Robinson, Dave
John Hadden Publishers, Tulsa OK
1980

The description of the late Dave Robinson from the back cover of the Tangled Web book:

He began to listen to Herbert Armstrong on the radio from a Mexican station in 1949 and became a heavy financial contributor soon after. He met HWA the next year and became a member and supporter of what was then the Radio Church of God. He supported Herbert Armstrong for a full three decades.

In 1969 he went to work full-time for the Worldwide Church of God several years after his ordination as a minister in that church. During the next decade, he served in varied capacities for that organization. He came to know most of the top men of the church well, and is eminently qualified to write of the workings of those echelons of the church.

Among the responsibilities carried by Dave were those of administrator, counselor, lecturer, security chief, and minister. He was a confidant of many of those men who have either been removed from the church altogether or have been relegated to dishonor within that organization.

He writes from firsthand knowledge tempered with deep disappointment and has come to agree completely with Solomon who advised against putting trust in men.

Robinson's book contains the most intimate view of the inner workings of the organization, and the most candid of descriptions of many of the principle players in the saga, of any of the books available on Armstrongism.

 

 

A Historical Sketch of the Brethren Movement

Ironside, H.A.
Loizeaux Brothers, Neptune NJ
1985

 

 

Holy Laughter & The Toronto Blessing: An Investigative Report (PRO)

Beverley, James A.
Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids MI
1995

  

 

Holy Relics or Revelation--

Recent Astounding Archaeological Claims Evaluated

Standish, Russell R. and Colin D.
Hartland Publications, Rapidan VA
© 1999

This is an examination of the flamboyant claims of the late amateur archaeologist Ron Wyatt. Seventh Day Adventist authors Russell and Colin Standish examine the claims of the late amateur archaeologist Ron Wyatt methodically and carefully. And they include extensive documentation and quotations from first-hand sources, including Israeli authorities, scientists from a number of disciplines, people who had worked directly with Wyatt, and more.

Promotional description from the publisher:

For the devout Christian, faith is in the revealed Word. When Biblical archeology confirms the Scriptures, it stirs the heart.

Biblical archaeologists have gathered data with painstaking effort. Their work proves the accuracy of the Bible. Yet mostly within a single decade, Ron Wyatt sought out and claimed the most amazing Biblical sites and relics.

In this book, the Standish brothers examine the Wyatt claims in-depth, going beyond his videotaped claims. These findings can serve as a benchmark upon which Ron Wyatt's "discoveries" can be more carefully evaluated.

The 300 page paperback book is available for order via the web at

http://www.hartlandbooks.com//ez-catalog/X311787//HREL1

 

An e-book version is available, at half the price, also:

http://www.hartlandbooks.com//ez-catalog/X311787//HREL1-EB

 

 

I Was Raised a Jehovah’s Witness: The True Story of a Former JW

Hewitt, Joe
Accent Publications, Denver CO
1979

 

 

In Search of Christian Freedom

Franz, Raymond
Commentary Press, Atlanta GA
1991

Author Franz was a part of the headquarters leadership of the Jehovah's Witnesses' Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. He shares his experiences and insights into the bondage of the Watchtower system.

 

 

The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust the Modern Translations?

White, James R.
Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis MN
1995

 

 

The Last Days Are Here Again

Kyle, Richard
Baker Book House, Gr. Rapids MI
1998

 

 

Life of Mrs. E.G. White--Her Claims Refuted

Canright, D.M. , 1919

The full text of this book is available free online.

"Mr. Canright was in Seventh-day Adventism for 28 years, rose to prominence therein, and then left it (in 1887). He subsequently wrote several books and pamphlets that have proved very damaging to the cause he had formerly espoused. Elder D. A. Delafield, Associate Secretary of the Ellen G. White Publications, told me on July 15, 1962, that Canright has been the most potent adversary Adventism has had during the past eight decades." (Norman Douty in the Introduction to his book The Case of D.M. Canright. See details on the Douty book above.)

 

 

Making War in the Heavenlies: A Different Look

Randles, Bill
Distributed by Believers in Grace Fellowship, 8600 C Ave., Marion, IA 52302 (319) 373-3807
1994

Written by a Pentecostal pastor who can not be charged with being "prejudiced" against such phenomena as speaking in tongues, this is one of the most effective and balanced overviews of the "Spiritual Warfare" movements within Charismatic circles.

 

 

The Maze of Mormonism

Martin, Walter
Vision House Publishers, Santa Ana CA
1962, 1978

 

 

The Mormon Corporate Empire

Heinerman, John and Shupe, Anson
Beacon Press, Boston MA
1985

From the back cover of the book:

"[The authors] have looked behind the public image of the LDS Church to find a tremendously powerful financial empire with a distinctly authoritarian ideology. The authors document carefully how the Mormon Church has sought to extend its economic, political, and theological influence into nearly every sector of American life, from communications to the CIA, from government to the military. The Mormon Corporate Empire is a thorough examination of Mormonism as a corporate entity that influences the lives of all Americans."

 

 

The Mormon Papers: Are the Mormon Scriptures Reliable?

Ropp, Harry L.
Intervarsity Press, Downer’s Grove IL
1977

From the back cover of the book:

"Harry Ropp discusses the Mormon teachings on God, Christ, salvation and the Bible. But he concentrates on the evidence and the theories for the origin of the Book of Mormon. He cites internal inconsistency and the absence of archaeological evidence to question its credibility. Then he demonstrates the inauthenticity of key Mormon documents by uncovering Joseph Smith's spurious translation from the Egyptian papyri. A final, practical chapter makes the book valuable for those who wish to encourage Mormons to examine the basis for their own faith."

 

 

Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints

McKeever, Bill & Johnson, Eric
Baker Books, Gr. Rapids MI
2000

From the back cover of the book:

"In this accessible, informative introduction to Mormonism, [the authors] compare the main points of Mormon theology to orthodox Christianity. How do Mormon beliefs about God, man, Scripture, salvation, and revelation differ from those of Christianity? The authors' point-by-point study includes helpful summaries at the end of each major section. … With a wealth of firsthand experience working with Mormons, the authors provide practical witnessing tips, in dialogue form, at the end of each section."

 

Mormonism, Mama & Me

Geer, Thelma
Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington PA
1979, 1984

From the back cover of the book:

"… Thelma Geer's great-grandfather was the adopted son of Brigham Young and a very well known Mormon pioneer. John D Lee had 19 wives and 64 children! This is an intensely personal view of Thelma's life, her Mormon heritage, and her conversion to the real Jesus Christ. In addition to her own story and that of her beloved Mama, Thelma also examines several major doctrinal aspects of Mormonism u nder the searchlight of Biblical truth. Her unique approach sets this book apart from many contemporary works dealing with Mormonism. Thelma deals with the real Mormonism--that Mormonism which traces its roots directly to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young."

 

 

Mormonism Unmasked

Roberts, R. Philip with Davis, Tal & Tanner, Sandra
Broadman and Holman, Publishers
1998

From the back cover of the book:

"Based on years of research and study, this detailed and accurate resource clearly explains the Mormons' basic beliefs, then soundly refutes their subtle heresies while exposing secrets that Mormon authorities don't want you or even many of its own followers to know about. After walking you through the Mormon's confidential evangelistic strategies, Mormonism Unmasked then provides specific techniques on witnessing to Mormons, giving you the tools and the confidence you need to effectively and lovingly defend the Christian faith."

 

 

Naming the Antichrist: The History of an American Obsession

Fuller, Robert
Oxford University Press, New York NY
1995

 

 

National Sunday Law--Fact or Fiction?

Anderson, D.
1999

The full text of this book is available for free download on-line.

A book is currently making the rounds, spread by zealous SDA members to their friends, family, neighbors, door to door and on the Internet, titled National Sunday Law by SDA Pastor A. Jan Marcussen. It insists that citizens in the US are in immediate threat in the near future of being restrained from worshipping on any day but Sunday. What most readers do not realize is that Marcussen is only the most recent in a long line of Adventist teachers who have insisted that this threat is imminent. The earliest to widely disseminate this teaching was Ellen G White. Here is a short excerpt from Anderson's book describing the development of the "National Sunday Law" teaching among SDAs. Anderson first documents the earliest teachings (clear back in the 1840s by Joseph Bates, an early EGW supporter) regarding the issue of Sabbath observance as relevant to the prophesied persecution of the Saints in the book of Revelation. He follows the development of the doctrine in EGW's own writings of the 1840s-1880s. He then notes:

In 1884, she [EGW] introduces the fact that there will be a gradual increase in the severity of laws enforcing Sunday observance:

In the last conflict the Sabbath will be the special point of controversy throughout all Christendom. Secular rulers and religious leaders will unite to enforce the observance of the Sunday; and as milder measures fail, the most oppressive laws will be enacted. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the land ought not to be tolerated, and a decree will finally be issued denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment, and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. (Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4 p. 444)

By the late 1880's the end appeared imminent to Adventists. The reason they believed the end was imminent was because a law was being considered before the United States Congress in the late 1880's which would have made Sunday a nationally recognized holiday. In 1886, Mrs. White warned of the soon-coming end:

The end of all things is at hand. The time of trouble is about to come upon the people of God. Then it is that the decree will go forth forbidding those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord to buy or sell, and threatening them with punishment, and even death, if they do not observe the first day of the week as the Sabbath. (Historical Sketches, p. 156)

Then the unexpected happened. The Sunday law was defeated by Congress. While there may have been more than one reason the law was rejected, it was apparent that some in Congress felt the law would violate the separation between church and state. Besides, if the law was enacted, it would have likely been struck down by the Supreme Court. After this event, the Sunday Law movement lost steam and gradually turned its attention to other issues. By the early 1900's it was beginning to appear unlikely that a Sunday law was going to be passed any time in the near future. Adventists now had a dilemma on their hands. They needed to come up with an explanation as to how a Sunday law could possibly be passed given the current circumstances. The prophet Ellen White finally came up with an explanation in 1904:

When the Sabbath becomes the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and a law of the state, ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. This argument will appear conclusive; and against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment will finally be issued a decree, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment, and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. (Youth Instructor, 7-12-1904)

By 1904, the scenario of an organized movement of religious leaders pushing Sunday legislation through Congress seemed unrealistic. Since a Sunday law now appeared extremely unlikely to occur under ordinary circumstances, there must be some extraordinary external event that triggers it. Thus, Ellen White concocts a new scenario in which the United States is faced with a sudden, terrible crisis. If the United States does not act to kill the Sabbath-keepers, there will be a terrible national catastrophe. During this horrific crisis the Sunday law will be justified by politicians who would, under normal circumstances, reject the law. However, in a crisis situation, they are convinced to pass a Sunday law in order to prevent the whole nation from being "thrown into confusion and lawlessness." (End of quote by D. Anderson)

 

 

The New Charismatics

Moriarty, Michael G.
Zondervan Publishing House, Gr. Rapids MI
1992

 

 

Pilgrimage Through the Watchtower

Quick, Kevin R.
Baker Book House, Gr. Rapids MI
1989

This book, the personal story of one man's experience with the Jehovah's Witness movement, is currently out of print, but available now online on the Internet for free download .

 

 

Rebellion, Racism and Religion: American Militias

Abanes, Richard
Intervarsity Press, Downer’s Grove IL
1996

 

 

The Righteous Remnant: The House of David

Fogarty, Robert S.
The Kent State University Press, Kent OH
1981

 

 

Secret Ceremonies: A Mormon Woman's Intimate Diary of Marriage and Beyond

Laake, Deborah
William Morrow and Co., New York NY
1993

Laake was born into Mormonism, attended the LDS's Brigham Young University, and married in her teens in the strange secret ceremony of the Mormon Temple. Some of the content of this book is quite sexually explicit and reader discretion is advised.

From the book's flyleaf:

"Always lyrical and often unexpectedly funny, Secret Ceremonies is a compassionate but brutally honest insider's look at modern Mormon society. It describes the mystery of the rituals, the beauty and rigor of the theology, and the traditions of one of the fastest growing Christian churches. It is also a complex rite-of-passage story, a tale of the war between religious faith and personal integrity. As a book that states the unspeakable--the official and unofficial secret ceremonies that underlie the lives of Mormon wives--it is a triumphant act of self-affirmation."

 

 

The Seduction of Christianity: Spiritual Discernment in the Last Days

Hunt, Dave and McMahon, T.A.
Harvest House, Eugene OR
1985

 

 

The Shaking of Adventism—A documented account of the crisis among Adventists over the doctrine of justification by faith

Paxton, Geoffrey J.
Baker Book House, Grand Rapids MI
 © 1977

This book is by a non-Adventist, who evaluates the doctrinal shake-ups in the 1960s and 1970s within the SDA Church. It does not address the issue of Ellen G White's role in the church at all, as the emphasis is singly on the doctrine of justification by faith. It  is available for free download online .

 

 

The Sign of the Last Days: When?

Jonsson, Carl Olof and Herbst, Wolfgang
Commentary Press, Atlanta GA
1987

Authors Jonsson and Wolfgang, former dedicated members of the Jehovah's Witness organization, provide an overview of Witness speculations on prophecy)

 

 

The Social Psychology of Social Movements

Toch, Hans
The Bobbs-Merrill Co., Inc., Indianapolis IN and New York NY
1965

This college textbook is considered a classic in its field.

 

 

Soothsayers of the Second Advent

Alnor, William M.
Fleming H. Revell Co., Old Tappan NJ
1989

Author Alnor provides a sweeping overview of speculation and predictions concerning the Second Coming of Christ.

 

 

Televangelism and American Culture

Schultze, Quintin J.
Baker Book House, Gr. Rapids MI
1991

 

They Speak With Other Tongues  

Sherrill, John L.
Fleming H. Revell, Old Tappen NJ
1964

Author Sherrill provides an overview of the Tongues movement from his own positive perspective of the phenomenon.

 

 

The Truth Shall Make You Free

Tuit, John
The Truth Foundation, Freehold Township NJ
1981

Author Tuit provides an overview of the turmoil in the Worldwide Church of God in the late 70s and early 80s.

He began reading the church's Plain Truth magazine in 1957, and began contributing to what was then called the Radio Church of God in the early 1960s. He became a baptized member of the Worldwide Church of God in 1975. In 1978 he became so totally disillusioned with the leadership of the WCG after Garner Ted Armstrong's ouster that he cooperated with a handful of other members to organize the suit against the WCG that resulted in the imposition by the state of California of a Receivership in January 1979. Although he does touch upon a variety of details about the history, doctrine and practices of the WCG, his book adds little to the collection of this information available from many other sources. However, the book is the most effective chronicle available of the events leading up to and during the Receivership because Tuit had first hand knowledge of much that went on behind the scenes.

 

 

The Visions of E.G. White Not of God

Snook and Brinkerhoff, 1866

This is an early pamphlet investigating and refuting the claims of the SDA's for Ellen G. White's visions. It is available on-line for free download.

 

 

Weighed and Found Wanting: The Toronto Experience Examined in the Light of the Bible

Randles, Bill
Distributed by Believers in Grace Fellowship, 8600 C Ave., Marion, IA 52302 (319) 373-3807
1999

Written by a Pentecostal pastor who can not be charged with being "prejudiced" against such phenomena as speaking in tongues, this is one of the most effective and balanced overviews of the Toronto phenomena available.

 

 

What's Going On in There? --

The Verbatim Text of the Mormon Temple Rituals

Annotated and Explained by a Former Temple Worker

Sackett, Chuck
Sword of the Shepherd Ministries, Thousand Oaks CA
1982

In 1990, the leadership of the Latter Day Saints quietly revised certain portions of the historical secret Mormon temple rituals. Included with this book is a "News Update" explaining and evaluating the impact of those changes--and the secrecy around the fact that they were even made.

 

 

When Prophecy Fails: A Social and Psychological Study of a Modern Group that Predicted the Destruction of the World

Festinger, Leon; Riecken, Henry W.; Schachter, Stanley
Harper & Row, Publishers, New York NY
1956

Author Festinger, a social psychologist, coined the term "cognitive dissonance," and introduced it to the general public in this work. The book is considered a classic in the field of Social Psychology. Festinger and his social-psych team were interested in testing a theory they had about how people in religious groups which dogmatically predict a date for "the end of the world" respond when the prediction fails. They happened to stumble on a small group just forming around a woman who claimed to be receiving messages from extra-terrestrials. She declared that a great series of natural disasters would occur on earth on December 21 of the current year, and that only those who heeded the messages of her unearthly contacts would be rescued. The book first surveys the history of "End Times prophecy" teachers and groups from the first century to the 20th. And then it describes how they were able to infiltrate this growing cult with research assistants and obtain reports of the reactions of the members before and after the date of the predicted "End." For more details on the book, see the When Prophecy Fails section of this Field Guide.

 

 

When Time Shall Be No More: Prophecy Belief in Modern American Culture

Boyer, Paul
The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA
1992

 

 

Where Does It Say That?

Witte, Bob
Gospel Truths, Gr. Rapids MI
No copyright date listed

This book is now available on-line, including most of the photo-reprints.

From the back cover:

"In the pages of this volume, the reader will find a wealth of information taken almost exclusively from primary Mormon historical sources. There are almost 200 actual photo-reprints, dozens of additional sources cited as well as special helps to the person trying to examine the claims of Mormonism.

… when Mormons see some of these "unbelievable" statements made by their leaders, they will often dismiss them by saying, 'That is obviously out of context or misquoted!' In most cases they have never even seen the original source material themselves and what they really mean is, 'I cannot believe that my founding prophets and apostles could have meant what they said!'

Thus the whole purpose for the existence of this volume is to make actual photo-copies of these original documents available to everyone. You now have at your fingertips, selected pages from several thousand dollars worth of rare books, pamphlets, diaries and manuscripts as well as companion quotations from many current Mormon sources."

 

 

The White Lie

Rea, Walter
M&R Publications, 1982

The Introduction and Chapters 1-6 and 11-12 are available on-line for free download.

This book by a former life-long Adventist and long-time SDA pastor is the classic that broke open to the public the mounting evidence of EGW's career of plagiarism. The book chronicles his painful discoveries that shook his faith in EGW, his fruitless attempts to get the denomination's leadership to honestly address the mounting crisis of the reality of her deceptions, and his eventual ouster from the organization. It also provides extensive documentation of some of the plagiarism he and others discovered… including photo-reproductions of some of the actual EGW publications and the books from which she was plagiarizing.

 

 

White-Washed: Uncovering the Myths of Ellen G. White

Cleveland, Sydney
Available directly from the author, 172 Suncrest Dr., Greenwood, IN 46143
Phone 317-885-8122 email scleveland@prodigy.net
© 2000

This is one of the most detailed recent compilations of the mounting evidence regarding EGW's plagiarism and other deceptions. Like The White Lie of twenty years earlier, it was written by a former life-long SDA and long-time SDA pastor. And it is loaded with hard-hitting documentation including photographs.

 

 

Unless otherwise noted, all original material on this Field Guide website
is © 2001-2011 by Pamela Starr Dewey.

Careful effort has been made to give credit as clearly as possible to any specific material quoted or ideas extensively adapted from any one resource. Corrections and clarifications regarding citations for any source material are welcome, and will be promptly added to any sections which are found to be inadequately documented as to source.

 

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