Craig Blomberg, The New Mormon Challenge.
Steven Shields, Divergent Paths of the Restoration.

Carmel Christian Church (www.carmelchristianchurch.org/), which is a Disciples of Christ church specifically states this when talking about their own history. Here is what they say:

The Disciples originated in the then frontier regions of Western Pennsylvania, what was to become W. Virginia, and Kentucky. Two key founders were Alexander Campbell (whose followers were called Disciples) and Barton Stone (whose followers were called Christians) — thus the dual name of the denomination today. The Cane Ridge revival in 1801 was a major event in the origin of the new denomination. The movement originated as an effort to do away with denominations by abolishing historic creeds. “Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent.” The only requirement was a confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Because of this the Disciples have always been an inclusive fellowship incorporating people in one family who have a variety of Christian beliefs. The Disciples were part of a broader “Restoration Movement” intended to restore the primitive New Testament church. Reluctantly the young movement gradually became a denomination itself. We share common roots with two other groups, the Churches of Christ and the (Independent) Christian Churches.

There is an article, A Tale of Two Restorations, written by a Mormon, Kevin Barney. In it he states, “The creeds rejected by Alexander included not only the Protestant confessions, but also the historic creeds of the first millennium.” Barney goes on to uphold Alexander Campbell as a man “deserving of our honor and respect” on the level of “Calvin and Luther.”

There is just a few. Hope that helps…

Mike

Thanks.

It is true, that like the Mormon church, they think that their group is a restoration of the “truth”, that the true church died out with the 1st Century church Christians.

Today, JW’s are waiting for “Armageddon”, and believe that “maybe they will be shielded in the day of Jehovah’s anger”. No JW is absolutely sure of their salvation, EVEN IF they are baptised and spend lots of hours going door to door and attend all the meetings. There is no assurance of salvation in the Watchtower, because you never know if you have done enough “works” for Jehovah to approve of you.

We must understand that cults, such as JWs, did not form in a vacuum, but were propducts of their times. At this point liberalism, rationalism, and evolution were beginning to make in roads into the religious, philiosphical and educational institutions of America. Couple this with the shift that America was experiencing – transitioning from a largely rural society to a largely urban society, and you had a great deal of people that were ripe for thepickings by these servants of Belial such as, Charles Taze Russell, Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, Ellen G. White, et. al.

Currently the Watchtower is suffering greatly in the United States and other first-world countries. So much so, that they are currently attempting to sell-off their Brooklyn properties, many of which have been sold.

However, just because they are not growing at the pace they once did in English speaking America, do not think they have stopped. The Spanish-speaking congregations are growing by leaps and bounds due to the unabated flow of illegal immigrants from countries south of the border. When I lived in a predominately English speaking neighborhood, I was called on by JWs maybe twice a year. However once they determined that I was an “opposer” the visits ended. Now that I live in a primarily Spanish-speaking neighborhood, the JWs are knocking on my door about twice a month. Pray that I will learn Spanish quicker.

Sadly, there is no countering Christian outreach (that I am aware of) to deal with the great influx of these poor misguided souls into the Watchtower. Couple this with the fact that many Spanish-speaking pastors seem to be wrapped up in Pentecostal piety and blab it-grab it, and do not want to pursue their biblical calling of equiping the sheep to do the work of the ministry.

Stephen,
You are right about their lack of valid arguments. You know, this week I explained to some my 4th and 5th grade students how the J.W’s Bible did not even come into existence until recently. It took a few attempts to break it down on their level. When it clicked for them they could not grasp how the religion could be true if they did not have a Bible this whole time. They were up in arms when I told them they deny that Jesus is God and are now ready to tell them never to come knocking on their doors again. Of course, they hate the fact that the J.W’s are telling them not to celebrate Christmas. It was hilarious.

He needs prayer. He lost his teaching job and may be on the streets soon. He has a wife and kids, mortgage, etc. I just saw it on his blog, although it was posted a while ago.