[1] Chryssides is the author of several books and articles, with an interest in the academic study of new religious movements.
Since 1974, Chryssides holds a Ph.D. in philosophy of religion from the University of Oxford,[3] with the thesis An examination of some problems concerning the philosophical analysis of religious language.
[4] He found it difficult to find enough scholarly work detailing new religious movements in order to teach about the subject and started collecting primary source materials to research and utilize instead.
Chryssides became acquainted with a Jehovah's Witness and would invite him to speak when introducing the denomination to his students.
[6] Chryssides has been described by fellow sociologist James T. Richardson as "one of the leading scholars" of Jehovah's Witnesses.